HOBAN Construction is one of South Korea’s leading builders, known for taking on large-scale residential and infrastructure projects. Like many construction companies, they’ve been facing a growing labor shortage. To meet demand, they began hiring more foreign workers from countries like China, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Myanmar across their job sites.
📌 Key Outcomes
✅ Twice the accuracy of general-purpose translation thanks to a construction-specialized AI model
✅ Boosted work efficiency by removing language barriers with foreign workers
✅ Improved on-site safety by reducing accidents and minimizing legal risk
✅ Translation into 120+ languages supported smooth communication with workers of diverse nationalities
📌 Client’s Main Challenges
1️⃣ Language Barriers
To address chronic labor shortages, the Korean firm HOBAN Construction actively hired foreign workers from countries like China, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Myanmar. But language barriers made even basic work instructions hard to communicate. Staff relied on gestures to explain safety protocols and procedures, which drastically lowered efficiency and exposed HOBAN to risks of unclear communication.
2️⃣ Cultural Adjustment Difficulties
Cultural differences among the different cultures on the workforce also caused communication issues. For example, misalignment in time perception and task prioritization delayed workflows. Different levels of understanding and compliance with safety rules meant it took significant effort to explain Korean standards.
3️⃣ Legal and Administrative Complexity
Hiring foreign workers required navigating complex regulations—from verifying visa status to checking enrollment in Korea’s four major insurances and ensuring completion of safety training. The administrative load was heavy.
Faced with these challenges, HOBAN Construction sought a translation solution that would enable clear communication with foreign workers to create a safe work environment, minimize HOBAN’s risk, and maximize productivity.
📌 Bering Lab’s Solution
To solve these issues, HOBAN Construction partnered with Bering Lab, a company that specializes in AI-powered translation and interpretation tools tailored for construction environments.
Bering Lab rolled out a real-time interpretation platform that translates spoken Korean into each worker’s native language during safety trainings. It uses voice recognition to pick up the instructor’s words, then immediately displays or speaks the translated version in the worker’s language—right there on their phone or a screen on site.
It supports over 120 languages including English, Chinese, and Vietnamese. Alongside this, Bering Lab also built a multilingual safety page system that auto-translates updates and announcements. Workers can scan a QR code or use an app to read important notices in their language, without waiting for a human interpreter or relying on coworkers.
👍 AI Interpretation Platform Tailored to the Construction Industry
- Real-time interpretation from Korean to the worker’s native language using speech-to-text (STT) technology during safety trainings
- Auto-translations of on-screen presentation materials
- Automatic translation of safety bulletins and work instructions written by site managers prevents information gaps and reduces accident risks
- Support for 120+ languages including English, Chinese, and Vietnamese
- Workers access updates in their native language via QR code or app
💸 Proven Results and Expansion Plan
- Pilots completed at 2–3 sites showed improved communication and efficiency
- Notable reduction in delays due to language issues; training effectiveness increased
- Full rollout planned across HOBAN’s 40+ construction sites
📌 Results After Working with BeringLab
Because of the AI-translation process implemented by Bering Lab, HOBAN was able to:
- Dramatically improve production efficiency by removing language barriers
- Execute tasks more quickly thanks to training and instructions in native languages
- Prevent and reduce accidents due to accurate education and real-time alerts
- Assure legal compliance with required safety training for foreign workers
- Improve worker confidence, belonging, and job satisfaction
📌 Client Testimonials
💬 “Receiving safety training in my own language boosted my confidence. I no longer fear communicating with Korean staff and can react quickly in dangerous situations.”
💬 “With Bering Lab’s solution, instructions are clear, and we no longer rely on gestures. It’s improved efficiency and shortened our project timelines. The upcoming real-time interpretation app should enhance this even more.”
📌 Are You Struggling to Communicate with Foreign Construction Workers?
This is how Bering Lab can help:
🔹 Construction-specific AI model built from domain data
🔹 Real-time interpretation platform for clear training and instructions
🔹 Translated safety information pages to avoid missed details
🔹 SaaS subscription model (annual) with custom configurations
📩 Book a consultation now to get a tailored solution for your site.
