Words That Cost Millions: How Communication Breakdowns Bleed Safety and Profits

The Canary Report: Safety & Risk Management

"Language is inextricably linked to life, and when we address it holistically, we actually find that you can drive safety and retain the talent." Monique Lewis, Founder and CEO of Next 2 Native Language Learning

OK, everyone, this one’s for everyone leading diverse teams while tackling multilingual communication challenges on the job site. The right words in the right language and context go a long way towards saving lives. And that’s why in this episode of The Canary Report: Safety & Risk Management, I sit down with Monique Lewis, CEO of Next 2 Native Language Learning, to unpack how language barriers can make, or break, workplace safety. Monique shares why traditional translation just isn’t cutting it, how preliterate workers navigate safety materials, and what real inclusion looks like when every word matters. This conversation gets right to the heart of safety culture, because when people can’t understand the message, they can’t stay safe.

Here are some of the topics that we explore:

• Why traditional translation services alone aren't enough to ensure workplace safety
• How to identify and address preliterate workers' safety needs beyond written materials
• The business case for language-led workforce development in reducing turnover
• Why "thumbs up" comprehension checks fail and how to properly verify safety training
• How to create an inclusive safety culture that empowers non-native speakers to report concerns
• The critical difference between having translated materials and achieving true safety communication

Monique Lewis is the Founder and CEO of Next 2 Native Language Learning, a bilingual workforce development expert with over 20 years of experience in ESL education and safety communication. She pioneered language-led workforce development to help construction and safety leaders close the English–Spanish gap, the largest language barrier in the U.S. workforce. Inspired by a preventable job site fatality, Monique’s mission is clear: make safety communication accessible, reduce incidents and turnover, and build stronger, more connected teams where everyone goes home safe.

Episode Resources:

• Monique Lewis on LinkedIn
• Next 2 Native Language Learning Website
• Michael Zalle on LinkedIn
• Yellow Bird Website
• The Canary Report: Safety & Risk Management on Apple Podcasts
• The Canary Report: Safety & Risk Management on Spotify