Lesson 6
Health and Safety
A-Introduction:
The average person finds it difficult to assess risks.
For this reason, work practices need to be regulated.
Examples of dangerous activities are:
- welding or grinding without goggles.
- working on a construction site work without a hard hat.
- working in noisy factories, cabs, on airport tarmacs and with
outdoor machinery without ear protection.
- working in chemical areas without protective clothing
- smoking near hazardous substances
Without regulation some employees will take risks. Health
and safety is a part of employment (labor) law. It covers
general matters such as:
- occupational health
- accident prevention regulations
- special regulations for hazardous occupations such as
mining and building
- provisions for risks such as poisons, dangerous machinery,
dust, noise, vibration, and radiation
- the full range of dangers arising from modern industrial
processes, for example the widespread use of chemicals
The key concerns for health and safety are to assess the risks
and hazards by identifying and quantifying the effects so that
appropriate protective measures can be taken.
B- Vocabulary:
Risks and hazards
Contamination drains dust explosion flammable
friction fumes fumigation gas harmful shock spraying
toxic vapor
Effects
Adverse effects birth defect burn cancer dizziness
genetic damage impair fertility irreversible effect vomiting
Protective measures
Avoid contact with dispose of dry handle keep protect
recycle rinse seal tightly wash well-ventilated
Exercises
1- Choose the correct word in each sentence.
1- Store containers in a well-ventilated/good-ventilated
place.
2- Wipe up any spillages immediately and wash/rinse with
soapy water.
3- Process cooling water can be returned/recycled.
4- This chemical is toxic/intoxicating if swallowed.
5- Leftover chemicals should be disproved/disposed of safely.
6- Please wear protective gloves when fingering/handling this
material.
7- Remember that asbestos fibers can cause cancer/coma.
8- Pregnant women should not take this medicine as it may
cause birth defects/effects.
9- Increased levels of radiation may lead to
compared/impaired fertility.
10- Do not empty chemical paint products into the
drains/grains.
11- Protect/ Avoid contact with skin and eyes.
12- Do not use with other products as it may release
dangerous fumes/fumigation.
2-Complete the following sentences with a form of the
word in brackets.
1- When working in this area, please wear……….... clothing
(protect).
2- Don't pour used chemicals into the drains as they will cause
…………………(contaminate).
3- Heating this liquid may cause an……………. (explode).
4- These chemicals must be kept in a locked cupboard because
they are………….(harm).
5- While they repair the roof, we will close this department as
a…………………… measure (precaution).
6- ……………health is one part of Health and Safety
(occupation).
7- Working in a noisy factory without ear protectors is
a…………….activity (danger).
8- Petrol and oil are ……………….chemicals (flame).
9- Make sure the containers are closed………………….
(tight).
10- Make sure you are wearing breathing equipment before
starting…………..(fume).
3-The manager in charge of health and safety is
explaining things to some new employees. Complete
what he says by filling the blanks with the correct word
from the box
Noise protection drowsiness dust accidents
smoke poisonous fumes risks burns goggles
MANAGER: New government regulations mean that we are
all required to be more aware of (a)………………..in the
workplace. As your employer, we will provide you with the
necessary safety equipment. You must wear (b)
………………….to protect your eyes when working on this
machinery. You should also wear (c) ……………..because
the (d) ……………..from the machines is high enough to
cause damage to your hearing. And of course, there is a lot
of (e) ……………………..in the air, so please wear masks
to stop you breathing it in. but, you too are responsible for
your safety and for preventing (f)
……………….happening.
EMPLOYEE: Are we looking at fire risks?
MANAGER: Yes, of course. Remember that it is very
dangerous to (g) ……………..near the chemical store. In
fact, we have a no smoking policy throughout the company.
Chemicals themselves are, of course, (h)
…………………….so they should never enter your mouth.
They could cause (i) ………………if you get them on your
skin. If you leave them without a lid, (j)
…………………..may escape and cause headaches, (k)
…………………or dizziness.
c-Glossary:
1- Risks: danger
2- Regulated: controlled
3- Dangerous: likely to cause loss, damage or injury.
4- Goggles: large glasses which some workers wear to protect
their eye.
5- Protective: describing something that keeps someone or
something safe from loss, damage or injury, e.g. clothing.
Exercise
Match the correct word with each definition
a- Protective 1- large glasses
b- Risks 2- Controlled
c- Regulated 3- Danger
d- Goggles 4- keeps someone or something
safe
