Joliet in Will County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Language Barriers

Photographed By Jason Voigt, September 30, 2020

1. Language Barriers Marker

Inscription.

Double the Risk

Less than half the iron plant workforce spoke English. Immigrants who did not speak English well were twice as likely to be injured or killed on the job. And with many people looking for work, it was easy to replace ill-fated workers.

Safety First

Over time, safety became a higher priority for the plant. In 1907, twenty-seven years after the plant opened, the Safety First movement was started. One method of improved communication was the printing of safety signs in multiple languages.

(aside:)

Foreign languages included on sign (in order of appearance):
English
Czech
Hungarian
Croatian
Polish

Erected by Forest Preserve District of Will County.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce.

Location. 41° 32.447′ N, 88° 4.749′ W. Marker is in Joliet, Illinois, in Will County. Marker can be reached from the intersection of Columbia Street and Illinois Route 53. Marker is located off the I&M Canal Passage Trail, in Joliet Iron Works Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 31 Columbia St, Joliet IL 60432, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. High Risks & Hard Work (within shouting

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distance of this marker); What's Cooking? (within shouting distance of this marker); Men of Steel (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); After the Whistle Blows (approx. 0.2 miles away); Forging a City of Steel (approx. ¼ mile away); Route 66 Park (approx. 0.3 miles away); George Kiser, Iron Works laborer (approx. 0.3 miles away); Ruby Street Bridge (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Joliet.

Also see . . . Forest Preserve District of Will County. Website address for the Forest Preserve District, which is at the bottom of this marker, among several on this trail. (Submitted on October 17, 2020, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.)

Additional keywords. immigration

Photographed By Jason Voigt, September 30, 2020

2. Language Barriers Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on October 17, 2020. It was originally submitted on October 17, 2020, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 123 times since then and 8 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 17, 2020, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.