When Language Works - How Italian L2 Shapes Workers’ Perceptions of Safety and Productivity in the Alto Vicentino Factories

Social and economic transformations have profoundly reshaped the modern Italian labor market, making it a destination for a steadily growing number of immigrant workers. The Alto Vicentino area - at the center of this study - offers a particularly relevant context, as its dense industrial landscape and concentration of manufacturing companies have long attracted a significant foreign workforce. This research examines the relationship between Italian as a second language (L2) and workplace safety and productivity, focusing on the perspectives of immigrant workers. It seeks to identify their linguistic needs and the communicative skills required for performing daily tasks, including interactions with colleagues and supervisors, while also addressing the challenges that emerge, specifically in connection with safety and efficiency. Drawing on both a review of the existing literature and an empirical investigation based on a questionnaire, semi-structured interviews, and field observations, the study highlights the linguistic and cultural barriers present in industrial workplaces. The findings provide a foundation for practical guidelines aimed at improving communication and fostering safer and more productive working environments in the manufacturing sector.