Nissan staff learn sign language to communicate with deaf colleagues

Staff in the plant’s paint shop have spent weeks learning sign language in order to communicate more effectively with four deaf colleagues.

Senior Supervisor Peter Haydon explained: “Four of our team are deaf, which made communication a challenge for our supervisors and our team on the production line.

“More than anything else, we want all our people to feel included and part of the team, so we carried out a full review and one thing that everyone wanted to do was learn to sign.”

Initially ten of the team, including Peter, went on an eleven-week course to learn the basics.

Peter, who leads the team in the Bumper Paint zone, added: “Learning sign language wasn’t easy. It was hard to pick up at the start and you really need to stay focused.

“But the team all wanted to learn and chucked themselves into the training and said that by week six they started to get the hang of it.

“It has been really inspiring to see members of the team who went on the course teach others in the shop how to sign.

“Communication is key to teamwork, but we also want all our people to feel included and be their best at work.

“These improvements enable the operators to grow and follow the same path as other staff within the team.”

As well as learning to sign, the zone was also overhauled so that activities such as training, meetings and briefings used visual aids.

And despite the team’s burgeoning skills, sign language interpreters are also brought on site regularly.

Micheal Connolly is one of the deaf operators: “In the past, there has been a breakdown in communication due to a language barrier,” he said.

“Part of that barrier has now been removed.

“Morale between the team is much improved and it’s been fantastic to see the team so enthusiastic about learning sign language.”

Plant HR director Michael Jude added : “We’ve had deaf operators before and have of course made adjustments to make their workspaces safe and practical.

“But this team has four deaf people, and as a group they wanted to go a step further.

“It’s a fantastic example of our people pulling together and going that extra mile to support each other.”