Aspects of Safety and

Risk in the Workplace

Discuss aspects of safety and risk in the

workplace; giving warnings and advice
concerning safe working practice on board;
describe maintenance and repair work.
Grammar: verb + -ing/ verb + to; conjunctions
+ ing; modal verbs must, have to, should, ought
to and had better
Vocabulary: phrases for giving orders, advice
and warnings; idioms; main engine parts; repairs
Listening and speaking: taking actions to
avoid potential risks at work
Reading and writing: describing aspects of
safety and risk in the workplace; issuing
warnings or advice on safety; reporting

Reading and Writing

Seafarers have a duty to take reasonable

care for the occupational health and
safety of themselves and others, and to
cooperate with their employer and the
Company in matters of health, safety and
welfare.
By creating a culture where everyone
takes responsibility for a safe working
environment and takes care of themselves
and one another, many work-related
accidents and incidents can be avoided.
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What does a safe working culture

look like?
Certain elements that contribute greatly to
maintaining a safe working culture:

clearly defined expectations

good communications
clear leadership
good planning
risk awareness
accountability
good safety culture, and
effective knowledge management.
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Effective communications and workforce involvement is

crucial in ensuring a safe living and working environment.
Communication is a two-way process. There is a need to
be able to gain information and knowledge that can be
acted upon and passed on to others who need it, and
systems need to be in place to facilitate this at all levels in
the organization.

LIVING ON BOARD
It is the seafarers responsibility to look after their
health and fitness.
A smoking policy is therefore likely to limit the
places on the ship where smoking is permitted.
Fatigue among seafarers is recognized as a serious
issue affecting maritime safety. Working clothes
should be appropriate for the working conditions.
Good housekeeping is an essential element in
promoting health and safety on board.
Seafarers should always comply with any control
measures in place, and wear any protective
clothing and equipment supplied.
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Risk awareness
If seafarers are fully informed and aware of
the risks to their health, safety and
welfare, they are much more likely to
ensure they avoid the risks and remain
safe.
Risk has two elements:
The likelihood that harm or damage may
occur.
The potential severity of the harm or
damage.
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Safety
Equipment

Movements on
board

Safe
working
practices
covers: Most severe
hazards
Entry into
enclosed spaces
PSSR (STCW 2010)

Task 1
Look at this picture of a hazardous work
environment. Imagine you are a senior officer who
has to use this poster for training crew. Write some
reminders for crew members to reinforce good
safety practice!
SAFETY IN THE WORK PLACE

A TIDY WORK PLACE IS A SAFE WORK PLACE

Grammar

To write down the reminders, try to combine:

(You) must (not) before -ing
should (not) while ing
ought (not) after ing
had better (not)
(dont) have to
Example:
You should put your tools back in the tool box after using
them.

Compare your idea with your partner!

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Before, after, when and while

The words before, after, when and while are often followed
by verb that ends in -ing (verb -ing). This pattern is
useful when instructing or reminding someone to do
something.
Examples:
Before moving off, you must look over your shoulder.
(You must look over your shoulder before moving off.)
While driving, you should keep checking your speed.
(You should keep checking your speed while driving.)
When pulling over, you need to brake gradually.
(You need to brake gradually when pulling over.)
After checking the mirror, you can start the signal.
(You can start the signal after checking the mirror.)

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Task 1
Look at the pictures. In each situation there
is a sign to remind people to do something.
What does each sign say? Complete the
sentences with before, after, when and
while + verb ing.
1. Please remember to take
2. Wear a mask at all
all your belongings .
times.

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3. Guest are required to hand in 4. Remember to wash your

their room keys
handsfood.

5. Warning: It is dangerous to use

.the
mobile phones..
remember
to put them away.

6.
tools, please

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Task 2.
Read the safety instructions. Match each one with an
appropriate statement.
Safety InstructionsStatement
1. If you are welding, you must wear a mask. A. Its not permitted to do this.
2. You should hold the handrail while going B. Its highly advisable to do
this.
down the gangway.
3. Every seafarer has to practice lifeboat drill.
C. Its advisable to do this.
4. You must not smoke in the cargo hold. D. The company requires
everyone to do this.
5. You had better make those lashings more E. It is not necessary to do this.
secure.
6. You dont have to wear a hard hat in the F. It is compulsory to do this.
galley.
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Obligation
Commands in English can be expressed in a number of
ways:
1. By using the imperative. This has the same form as the infinitive without to.

e.g. Be careful! Close the door! Dont smoke!

Dont make a noise!

2. By using must/ must not.

e.g. You must be careful! Doors must be kept closed!
Hatches must not be left uncovered!
3. By using be to +infinitive. This is an indirect form of command often used
official
notices.
e.g. You are to answer all the questions.
Officers are to back on board by 1800.
Lights are not to be left on unnecessarily.
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4. By using will. This is used to express a severe command.

e.g. Regulations will be observed at all times.
You will not be allowed ashore until further notice.
Mild commands in the form of advice and recommendations can be made as
follows:
5. By using should/ ought to.
e.g. You should read all safety regulations.
The work ought to be finished by 1630.
Tools should not be left lying about.
Strong advice and recommendation the wisest course of action can be made as
follows:
6. By using had better.
e.g. You had better report sick.
You had better not touch that electric wire.
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Task 3
Respond these following statements. Use
should/ought to for advice and had better
for making a stronger recommendation.
1. The temperature level is far too low.
.
2. I overslept again this morning.

3. One of the cadets has a terrible cough and sore throat.

.
4. Ive just spilled a can of oil over the floor.
.
5. My eyesight seems to be getting worse.

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Verb+ -ing
Some verbs can be followed by a veb+-ing, and also followed by
noun.
e.g. He finished eating his meal then left the messroom . (verb
+ verb-ing)
He finished his meal then left the messroom. (verb +
noun)
Some more verbs that function in the same way:
admit
involve
appreciatedislike
keep regret
avoid
enjoy
Mind
consider
finish
miss
spend
delay
etc
Other verbs can be followed by ing or to-infinitive:
Start begin continue
likelove
hate attempt
prefer

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Task 4
Complete the sentences by choosing the verbs given.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

I dislikeearly on vacation.
I dont mind.for you if its only for five minutes.
We intenda break after lunch.
If you feel tired, you dont have to continue. Ill
take over.
Do you missto go for walks in the countryside when
youre on board?
I cant imagine.a millionaire.
After spending six months at sea, he liked..at
home.
When we have finishedthe tanks, well
begin
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9. The Captain of the ferry regrets..the departure but he

says
we risk.a storm if we leave now.
10. Emergency drills involve...fast. You must
keep..
but avoid.at all costs.
wait run
be relax
delay be able
work move
clean act
load get up
take encounter
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Vocabulary
Giving Orders

We use must and have to to say that something is very important.

e.g. We have to work harder to finish the job in time.
We must work harder to finish the job in time.
However, have to is often used to talk about regulations or laws
imposed by authority.
e.g. In the UK you have to wear a helmet when riding a motorcycle.
Must is often used to talk about things you personally feel are
important.
e.g. Im always late for work. I must get up earlier.
(You are ordering yourself to do something)

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Negatives
Must not means something is not permitted.
e.g. You mustnt drink and drive. Its against the law.
Crews must not bring drugs on board.
Dont have to means its not necessary or you can choose
e.g. You dont have to finish the job today. Theres still time
tomorrow.
You do not have to ask permission to use the phone.
Questions
In questions have to is more common than must.
e.g. A: Do I have to wear seatbelts when driving in France?
B: Yes, you do. Its compulsory.
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Giving Advice
We use should, ought to, and had better to say that it is a
good idea to do something.
e.g. You should see a doctor.
You ought to see a doctor.
Had better is often used for giving a personal opinion or
strong advice.
e.g. The decks are wet. Youd better wear your safety boots.
Negatives
Look at the position of not in the examples:
e.g. You shouldnt try to lift heavy boxes alone.
You ought not to run on wet decks.
Youd better not leave those ropes lying there.
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Task 1
Read these dialogues. Circle the phrase you think is correct. Circle
both phrases if you think both are possible.
1. Is it normal to tip waiters in restaurants in the UK? In general people
leave tips if theyre enjoyed their meal but you musnt/ you dont
have to.
2. In order to operate this machine, you should/ you have to have a
licence.
Without a licence you are not allowed to use this machine.
3. How old do I have to/ must I be before you can hire a car in the UK?
In order to hire a car you should/ you must be at least 21 years old.
4. You ought not to/ You dont have to leave tools lying on a workbench
because they could fall off in high seas.
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5. Is it compulsory to show your passport if you are travelling within the EC?
If you are European, you must/ you have to have some form of
identification but it musnt/ it doesnt have to be your passport.
However,
non-Europeans have to/must show their passport.
6. You musnt/ You shouldnt attempt to repair electrical equipment if the
power supply is still on. Always disconnect the equipment before starting
repairs.
7. There should be sharp objects in the sink. Youd better/ You must empty
the water before you put your hands in.
8. Im confused about the amount of duty-free goods I can carry. If I have
just one bottle of spirits, do I have to/ must I go through the red channel?
No. If you have under one line of alcohol you dont have to/ you musnt
declare it.

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Listening and Speaking

Task 1
Listen to the dialogue between Elizabeth, a driving instructor
and Michael, a young man who is learning to drive. The
instructor is commenting on things that the learner needs to
improve.
What are the two main things that the learner keeps forgetting
to do?
Share your answer.
Task 2
The instructor has written some notes to remind the learner
driver what to do. Listen to the dialogue again and complete the
notes.
1. While.to move off, you must look over your shoulder.
2. When.along an open road, keep.your speed.
3. Before, you should check your mirror.
4. After., there are no vehicles close behind you, you
should start..gradually.
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Aspire to
inspire before
we expire

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