Safety When Working On Roofs & Maternity Allowance For Working Women - IELTS Reading Answers & Explanations
From Cambridge IELTS 15 General Training Reading Test 1 · Part 2 · Questions 15–27
Reading Passage
==== Read the text below and answer questions 15-22. ====
Safety when working on roofs
A fall from height is the most serious hazard associated with roof work. Preventing falls from roofs is a priority for WorkSafe New Zealand. Investigations by WorkSafe into falls that occur while working at height show that more than 50 percent of falls are from under three metres, and most of these are from ladders and roofs. The cost of these falls is estimated to be $24 million a year – to say nothing of the human costs that result from these falls. More injuries happen on residential building sites than any other workplace in the construction sector.
In order to prevent such injuries, a hazard assessment should be carried out for all work on roofs to assess potential dangers. It is essential that the hazards are identified before the work starts, and that the necessary equipment, appropriate precautions and systems of work are provided and implemented. Hazard identification should be repeated periodically or when there is a change in conditions, for example, the weather or numbers of staff onsite.
The first thing to be considered is whether it is possible to eliminate this hazard completely, so that workers are not exposed to the danger of falling. This can sometimes be done at the design, construction planning, and tendering stage. If the possibility of a fail cannot be eliminated, some form of edge protection should be used to prevent workers from falling. It may be possible to use the existing scaffolding as edge protection. If this is not practicable, then temporary work platforms should be used. In cases where such protection is not possible, then steps should be taken to minimise the likelihood of any harm resulting. This means considering the use of safety nets and other similar systems to make it less likely that injury will be caused if a fall does occur.
Ladders should only be employed for short-duration maintenance work such as touching up paint. People using ladders should be trained and instructed in the selection and safe use of ladders. There should be inspection of all ladders on a regular basis to ensure they are safe to use.
==== Read the text below and answer questions 23-27. ====
Maternity allowance for working women
You can claim Maternity Allowance once you’ve been pregnant for 26 weeks. Payments start 11 weeks before the date on which your baby is due.
The amount you can get depends on your eligibility. You could get either:
• £140.98 a week or 90% of your average weekly earnings (whichever is less) for 39 weeks
• £27 a week for 14 weeks
Maternity Allowance for 39 weeks
You might get Maternity Allowance for 39 weeks if one of the following applies:
• you’re employed
• you’re self-employed and pay Class 2 National Insurance (including voluntary National Insurance)
• you’ve recently stopped working
You may still qualify even if you’ve recently stopped working. It doesn’t matter if you had different jobs, or periods when you were unemployed.
Maternity Allowance for 14 weeks
You might get Maternity Allowance for 14 weeks if for at least 26 weeks in the 66 weeks before your baby is due:
• you were married or in a civil partnership
• you were not employed or self-employed
• you took part in the business of your self-employed spouse or civil partner
How to claim
You’ll need an MA1 claim form, available online. You can print this and fill it in, or fill it in online. You also need to provide a payslip or a Certificate of Small Earnings Exemption as proof of your income, and proof of the baby’s due date, such as a doctor’s letter.
You should get a decision on your claim within 24 working days.
You should report any changes to your circumstances, for example, if you go back to work, to your local Jobcentre Plus as they can affect how much allowance you get.
Questions
Questions 15–22 Note Completion
Complete the notes below. Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS AND/ OR A NUMBER from the passage.
Safety when working on roofs
Investigations show that
- over half of falls are from less than 15
- most falls are from ladders and roofs
- falls cost $24 million per year
- the majority of falls occur on 16
Hazard identification should be carried out
- before the work starts
- when conditions such as the weather or worker numbers change
Controls
- 17 the hazard at the planning stage before the work begins if possible
- prevent a fall by using edge protection e.g. scaffolding or 18
- reduce the likelihood of injury, e.g. by using 19.
Ladders
- these should only be used for 20 which does not take a long time
- training should be provided in their 21 and use
- regular 22 of ladders is required
Questions 23–27 Sentence Completion
Complete the sentences below. Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/ OR A NUMBER from the passage.
- The maximum amount of money a woman can get each weak is £23
- Being 24 for a time does not necessarily mean that a woman will not be eligible for Maternity Allowance.
- In order to claim, a woman must send a 25 or a Small Earnings Exemption Certificate as evidence of her income.
- In order to claim, a woman may need to provide a 26 as evidence of the due date.
- Payment may be affected by differences in someone’s 27 such as a return to work, and the local Jobcenter Plus must be informed.
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q15 | 3 / three meters / three metres | more than 50 percent of falls are from under three metres | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that more than half of the falls happen from a height that is lower than three metres. This shows how common falls from this height are. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'three metres.' This means that more than half of the falls happen from a height that is less than three metres. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'three metres' because the passage states that over 50 percent of falls are from under three meters, meaning that many people fall from this height or lower. |
| Q16 | Residential building sites | More injuries happen on residential building sites than any other workplace in the construction sector | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that more people get hurt while working on places where homes are made compared to other jobs in construction. Answer Explanation: The answer means the place where people build homes is where most falls happen. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'Residential building sites' because the text says that 'more injuries happen on residential building sites than any other workplace in the construction sector.' This shows that this location has the highest number of falls. |
| Q17 | Eliminate | The first thing to be considered is whether it is possible to eliminate this hazard completely, so that workers are not exposed to the danger of falling | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says we should think about whether we can completely remove the danger before any work starts. This means that if we can, workers will be safer and won't risk falling. Answer Explanation: The answer means to completely remove the danger so that it doesn't happen at all. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'eliminate' because the passage talks about the first step to keep workers safe while working on roofs. If it is possible to completely remove the hazard of falling, then workers will not be exposed to danger. This shows that finding a way to eliminate the hazard is very important. |
| Q18 | temporary work platforms / temporary platforms / work platforms / platforms | If this is not practicable, then temporary work platforms should be used | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that if edge protection, like scaffolding, cannot be used, then workers should use temporary work platforms to help keep them from falling. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'temporary work platforms.' This means that when it is hard to keep people safe from falling, using special structures called temporary work platforms can help. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'temporary work platforms' because the passage explains that when edge protection is not possible, using temporary work platforms is one of the steps to take in order to prevent falls and keep workers safe. |
| Q19 | Safety nets / Safety netts | If this is not practicable, then temporary work platforms should be used. In cases where such protection is not possible, then steps should be taken to minimise the likelihood of any harm resulting. This means considering the use of safety nets and other similar systems to make it less likely that injury will be caused if a fall does occur | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that if workers cannot be completely protected from falling, then measures should be taken to lower the risk of injury. One of these measures includes using safety nets, which help catch someone if they fall. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'safety nets', which are special kinds of equipment used to help catch someone if they fall. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'safety nets' because the passage mentions that if workers cannot be protected from falling, measures should be taken to make it less likely that injury will happen. Using safety nets is one way to reduce the chance of harm if a fall does occur. |
| Q20 | work / maintenance work | Ladders should only be employed for short-duration maintenance work such as touching up paint | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that ladders can be used for quick jobs like fixing paint. It means they are not safe for longer work. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'work' and 'maintenance work.' This means that ladders should only be used for short tasks and not for long jobs. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'work' and 'maintenance work' because the passage states that ladders should only be employed for short-duration maintenance work. This shows that ladders are suitable only for quick tasks, not for longer projects. |
| Q21 | Selection | People using ladders should be trained and instructed in the selection and safe use of ladders | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that workers must learn how to pick the right ladder and use it safely. Answer Explanation: The answer means that workers should be trained in how to choose and use ladders safely. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'Selection' because the passage states that people using ladders should be trained and instructed in the 'selection' and safe use of ladders. This means understanding how to choose the right type of ladder for the job. |
| Q22 | Inspection | There should be inspection of all ladders on a regular basis to ensure they are safe to use | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that all ladders must be checked often to make sure they are safe for people who use them. Answer Explanation: The answer means checking the ladders regularly to make sure they are safe to use. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'inspection' because the passage explains that ladders need to be checked on a regular basis to ensure they are safe for workers to use. This is an important safety measure. |
| Q23 | 140.98 | £140.98 a week or 90% of your average weekly earnings (whichever is less) for 39 weeks | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that a woman can receive either £140.98 each week or 90% of what she usually earns. She will only get the smaller amount between these two. Answer Explanation: The answer means that the most money a woman can receive each week is £140.98. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is £140.98 because the text says this is the maximum amount a woman can get weekly for the Maternity Allowance. It is important to note that this amount is compared to 90% of her average weekly earnings, and she will get the smaller amount. |
| Q24 | Unemployed | It doesn't matter if you had different jobs, or periods when you were unemployed | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage means that it is okay if you did not have a job for a time; this will not change your qualification for Maternity Allowance. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'Unemployed'. This means not having a job. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'Unemployed' because in the passage, it says that a woman may still qualify for Maternity Allowance even if she was not working or self-employed. This indicates that being unemployed does not stop her from receiving the allowance. |
| Q25 | Payslip | You also need to provide a payslip or a Certificate of Small Earnings Exemption as proof of your income | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage means that when someone wants to get Maternity Allowance, they must show proof of how much money they earn, and a payslip is one way to do that. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'payslip', which means a paper that shows how much money someone earns. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'payslip' because the passage states that to claim Maternity Allowance, a woman must provide either a payslip or a Certificate of Small Earnings Exemption as proof of her income. |
| Q26 | Doctor’s letter | proof of the baby’s due date, such as a doctor’s letter. | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that to claim the money, a woman needs to show proof of when her baby is due. This proof can be a letter from her doctor. Answer Explanation: The answer means a letter from a doctor. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'Doctor's letter' because it is needed as proof of the baby's due date when claiming the Maternity Allowance. The passage states that a woman must provide this as evidence when she wants to receive the allowance. |
| Q27 | Circumstances | You should report any changes to your circumstances, for example, if you go back to work, to your local Jobcentre Plus as they can affect how much allowance you get | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says you need to tell about any changes in your life, like returning to work, because they can change the amount of money you receive. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'Circumstances'. This means the different situations or conditions that could change. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'Circumstances' because the passage explains that you need to report any changes to your situation, like going back to work, to the local Jobcentre Plus, as these can affect how much money you get. |