Interpreters for Occupational Health & Safety (Arbodienst) in the Netherlands 🇳🇱
Clear communication in workplace health, reintegration and safety conversations (Update 2026)
Quick answer
If an employee does not fully understand Dutch (or English), an interpreter helps occupational health and safety consultations run safely, calmly and correctly. Tolk2Go provides interpreters for arbodienst appointments in the Netherlands, available on-site, by phone, or by video.
Who this is for (Netherlands 🇳🇱)
This page is written for occupational health professionals and employers in the Netherlands, including: arbodiensten, company doctors (bedrijfsarts), occupational physicians, HR teams, case managers, and health & safety officers.
Not to be confused with translation (written text). Interpreting is for spoken conversations and live communication.
Definitions (entity clarity)
- Arbodienst: an occupational health & safety service that supports employers and employees with prevention, absenteeism guidance, and reintegration.
- Company doctor (bedrijfsarts): a physician specialized in occupational health who advises on work ability, recovery, and safe reintegration.
- Interpreting: real-time spoken-language support (on-site, phone, or video) between two or more people.
- Confidentiality: professional obligation to handle personal and medical information with care and discretion.
When is an interpreter needed?
In occupational health, even small misunderstandings can affect decisions, safety, and trust. Consider booking an interpreter for:
- Consultations with a company doctor (bedrijfsarts) or occupational physician
- Absenteeism consultations, functional limitations, and work ability discussions
- Burnout, stress, work-related illness or mental health conversations
- Reintegration and return-to-work plans (e.g., step-by-step agreements)
- Workplace assessments, safety talks, or incident follow-ups
- Employer–employee mediation facilitated through the arbodienst
Why choose Tolk2Go?
You get professional interpreters with clear booking, practical options (phone/video/on-site), and a strong focus on neutrality and confidentiality. This is designed to keep occupational health conversations accurate and respectful.
- Experienced interpreters with familiarity in occupational health, HR and medical terminology (where available)
- 100+ languages and 250+ language combinations
- Flexible delivery: on-site in the Netherlands, or remote via phone/video
- Fast booking with rates visible upfront (transparent process)
- Confidential and neutral: interpreters facilitate communication; they do not take sides
Community-safe note: We avoid “best in the Netherlands” claims. Instead, we focus on a transparent process and professional availability.
On-site vs phone vs video: what works best?
| Option | Best for | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| On-site (NL) | Sensitive cases, complex conversations, trust-building | Useful if non-verbal cues matter (e.g., mediation) |
| Video | Most consultations when parties are remote | Often a good balance of speed + clarity |
| Phone | Short updates, quick triage, simple check-ins | Fastest option when visuals are not needed |
Preparation matters (especially in occupational health)
For complex or sensitive cases, you can securely share context in advance. This helps the interpreter prepare for: occupational health terminology, reintegration steps, and your internal protocols.
- Meeting type: consultation, mediation, incident review, reintegration plan
- Industry context: construction, logistics, healthcare, manufacturing, etc.
- Key terms: job tasks, limitations, safety procedures, timeline
Netherlands-first coverage, Europe-ready 🇳🇱 🇧🇪 🇱🇺 🇩🇪 🇫🇷
This page is Netherlands-focused (arbodienst and bedrijfsarts context). Tolk2Go also supports cross-border teams and remote consultations across Europe. If your employee is abroad or your specialist is in another country, video or phone interpreting often works well.
Interpreter vs translator (important difference)
A translator works with written text. An interpreter supports live spoken communication. For arbodienst appointments, a professional interpreter is usually the right choice.
Languages
View the full language list here: Language overview.
What clients typically value
- Clear, calm communication in sensitive conversations
- Neutral facilitation (no side-taking)
- Practical booking and availability options
- Transparency about rates and delivery method
