SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. -- Several Seminole County school cafeteria workers have been told speaking Spanish made their workplace more dangerous. The workers were re-assigned following complaints that they used their native language on the job.

Seminole County school district's risk manager said it has an English-only policy in the kitchens because a lot of workers are suffering kitchen burns. If someone yells "cuidado," which means "be careful" in Spanish, others might not understand.

Beatriz Garcia managed three other Hispanic employees at the cafeteria at Lake Mary Elementary School. They often spoke Spanish to one another on the job. But after a co-worker complained, they had to stop. Garcia was transferred to another school. And the same thing happened again.

Another worker at Wilson Elementary School was told to stop speaking Spanish to co-workers and ordered to sign an agreement to that effect. That worker refused. She believes it's discrimination.

The school district says the English-only policy for cafeteria workers went into effect a couple of years ago because "clear communication is critical to the safety" of the workers, according to a district handbook.

"Everyone needs to understand in the kitchen," said Risk Manger Ned Julian.

Julian says the district's policy only applies to school cafeterias and is not meant to penalize or insult anyone.

"If it feels that way, maybe it's because it's the way the message is conveyed," said Julian.

Lake, Osceola and Orange County district have no such English-only policy for any employees.