Workplace Health And Safety Considerations For Plumbers & How To Manage Flexible Working With Your Employees - IELTS Reading Answers & Explanations
From Cambridge IELTS 15 General Training Reading Test 2 · Part 2 · Questions 15–27
Reading Passage
==== Read the text below and answer Questions 15-20 ====
Workplace health and safety considerations for plumbers
Like many trades, plumbing can be a dangerous job. it is important to take all reasonably practicable measures to keep customers and yourself incident and injury free.
Biohazard waste
Plumbers regularly come into contact with biohazard waste. It’s the nature of the job, but that doesn’t mean you should be complacent about it. According to Safe Work Australia, communicable diseases from work-related exposures to biological hazards such as sewage have been estimated to cause 320,000 deaths across the globe each year. In addition to this, plumbers are regularly exposed to other biohazards such as mould, bacteria and algae. Don’t risk it – make sure appropriate protective clothing and equipment is used.
Confined spaces
Plumbers may spend much of their time working in confined spaces, where they are at risk from contaminants, including airborne gases, vapours and dusts, that may cause injury from fire or explosion. They may also be exposed to high concentrations of airborne contaminants that may be harmful to health. For example, one plumber was fined $220,000 after an employee suffered from carbon-monoxide poisoning. Another potential hazard for plumbers in confined spaces is that of drowning, if water sources are not adequately cut off. The Safe Work Australia confined spaces code of practice outlines the necessary steps and precautions for avoiding illness and injury.
Electricity
The Master Plumbers’ Association calls electricity ‘plumbing’s hidden killer’. Metal pipes are often conductive and so gloves which provide insulation should form part of a plumber’s tool kit, as should a plumbing voltage monitor and a volt tester. Gloves should be checked prior to every use and replaced every 12 to 14 months. Electrical equipment like bridging conductors should be regularly checked, with appropriate tags on the equipment to verify its safety. The project should be stopped immediately if there is any sign of electricity, so that the power can be disconnected by a qualified electrician prior to continuing work.
==== Read the text below and answer Questions 21-27 ====
How to manage flexible working with your employees
There is no denying that flexible working has grown enormously in recent years. It does, however, require careful management.
When it comes to implementing flexible working one word is key: trust. All flexible workers should be trusted and given well-defined objectives from the start and their contribution should be assessed according to their output, as opposed to the time they spend on the job. It can be a big step to implement such a change in your business, so if you are slightly cautious then I recommend perhaps setting up an end-of-the-day review to see how much progress has been made. As all parties find their feet with the new set-up, this contact can slowly be reduced.
In my eyes, it is also vital that there is shared calendar access for everyone so that people can see where their colleagues are each day. This way if they need to catch up with someone they can plan when to do so. Technology now exists to enable employees to stay in touch with other members of staff and external partners. iMeet, for example, is a tool which allows all forms of collaboration for remote working, from video conferencing, live chat and file sharing to screen sharing. The new breed of worker is therefore fully equipped to work productively away from the office, and can still feel like they are in the same room as others when necessary.
In my experience, employees are often more productive working at home as they can work the exact hours they want and do not have to cope with distraction caused by other employees. Being outside the confines of the office walls also appears to foster creativity. In addition, we find staff are more motivated as they have a better work-life balance. In terms of the business, we find this helps with top talent recruitment and staff retention, and a happy workforce is a more successful one.
Questions
Questions 15–20 Table Completion
Complete the table below. Choose ONE WORD ONLY from the passage.
| Type of danger | Examples | Risks involved | Necessary action |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biohazard | 15, mould, bacteria, algae | can lead to disease and death | use protective clothing and equipment |
| Confined spaces | contaminants e.g. gases, vapors and dusts | injury from fire or explosion | follow safe work code of practice |
| Confined spaces | high concentrations of harmful airborne contaminants e.g. carbon monoxide | 16 | follow safe work code of practice |
| Confined spaces | water | 17 | cut off water sources |
| Electricity | metal pipes which are conductive | death from electrocution | – use insulated 18 and appropriate equipment
– ensure equipment has 19 on to show it is safe – make sure electricity has been 20 |
Questions 21–27 Note Completion
Complete the notes below. Choose ONE WORD ONLY from the passage.
Flexible working
How to organise flexible working
- trust your employees
- provide them with clear 21
- base measurements of performance on their output
- initially, have a 22 of progress each day
- make sure a 23 is accessible to give details of colleague locations
- use a program such as iMeet to encourage different types of 24 between workers
Benefits of flexibility
- greater productivity
- less 25 from colleagues
- increase in 26
- more motivated staff
- greater success for the company with staff recruitment and 27
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q15 | Sewage | According to Safe Work Australia, communicable diseases from work-related exposures to biological hazards such as sewage have been estimated to cause 320,000 deaths across the globe each year | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that many people die each year because of diseases from being around things like sewage, which shows how dangerous it can be. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'sewage.' Sewage is dirty water and waste from homes and businesses. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'sewage' because the passage mentions that plumbers regularly come into contact with biohazard waste, which includes sewage. It explains that working with sewage can lead to serious health risks, including diseases. |
| Q16 | Poisoning | Another potential hazard for plumbers in confined spaces is that of drowning, if water sources are not adequately cut off | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage talks about another danger for plumbers, saying they can drown if water is not turned off properly. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'poisoning', which means being harmed by something that makes you sick. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'poisoning' because in the section about confined spaces, it mentions that plumbers can be at risk from high concentrations of harmful airborne contaminants like carbon monoxide. This can lead to health problems, such as carbon monoxide poisoning. |
| Q17 | Drowning | Another potential hazard for plumbers in confined spaces is that of drowning, if water sources are not adequately cut off | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that in small or tight work areas, one danger for plumbers is drowning if they do not stop the water coming from its source. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'drowning'. This means that if plumbers work in a place with water and do not properly stop the water, they could drown. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'drowning' because the passage mentions that one of the dangers for plumbers in confined spaces is that they could drown if water sources are not properly cut off. |
| Q18 | Gloves | Gloves which provide insulation should form part of a plumber's tool kit | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that gloves that keep you safe from electricity are important tools for plumbers. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'Gloves'. This means gloves are important for safety. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'Gloves' because the passage explains that gloves provide insulation against electricity, which can be dangerous for plumbers. The use of gloves is necessary to protect against electric shock while working with metal pipes. |
| Q19 | Tags | Electrical equipment like bridging conductors should be regularly checked, with appropriate tags on the equipment to verify its safety | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that electrical tools should have tags. These tags help show if the tools are safe. It's important for plumbers to check these tags to keep themselves safe. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'Tags'. This means small labels or markers used to show something. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'Tags' because in the passage, it talks about how electrical equipment must have tags to show that it is safe to use. This is part of the necessary actions that plumbers should take when working with electricity to avoid getting hurt. |
| Q20 | Disconnected | The project should be stopped immediately if there is any sign of electricity, so that the power can be disconnected by a qualified electrician prior to continuing work | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that if plumbers see any electricity, they must stop working right away so a qualified electrician can turn off the electricity. This is very important for safety. Answer Explanation: The answer 'Disconnected' means that the electricity should be turned off before a plumber continues working. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'Disconnected' because in the passage, it says that if there is any sign of electricity, the project should be stopped immediately so that the power can be disconnected by a qualified electrician before continuing work. This is a safety measure to prevent dangers such as electrocution. |
| Q21 | Objectives | All flexible workers should be trusted and given well-defined objectives from the start | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that all flexible workers should be trusted and given clear goals from the beginning. This helps them know what they need to do. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'objectives'. This means clear goals or tasks that employees need to achieve. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'objectives' because the passage talks about the importance of giving workers well-defined objectives from the start when implementing flexible working. This helps ensure that everyone knows what to do and can be trusted to complete their work successfully. |
| Q22 | Review | I recommend perhaps setting up an end-of-the-day review to see how much progress has been made | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that it is good to have a check at the end of the day to see how much work has been done. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'review.' This means to look back at something to check progress. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'review' because the passage states that when you start flexible working, it is helpful to have an end-of-the-day review to check how much work has been done. This helps both the employer and the employees see progress in their tasks. |
| Q23 | Calendar | it is also vital that there is shared calendar access for everyone so that people can see where their colleagues are each day | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that having a shared calendar is important so people know where their coworkers are each day. This helps them plan when they can talk or meet. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'calendar'. This means a system or tool that shows the days and times when people are available. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'calendar' because the passage talks about the importance of having shared calendar access for everyone. This helps people see where their colleagues are and plan meetings or catch-ups. The passage emphasizes how this helps with organisation and communication in flexible working. |
| Q24 | Collaboration | Technology now exists to enable employees to stay in touch with other members of staff and external partners. iMeet, for example, is a tool which allows all forms of collaboration for remote working, from video conferencing, live chat and file sharing to screen sharing | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that technology helps employees talk and work together with other workers and partners. A tool called iMeet helps with different activities like video calls and sharing files, which are ways to collaborate. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'collaboration'. This means working together with others. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'collaboration' because the passage talks about using a program like iMeet to help employees work together. It mentions various ways to communicate and work as a team, which are all forms of collaboration. |
| Q25 | Distraction | In my experience, employees are often more productive working at home as they can work the exact hours they want and do not have to cope with distraction caused by other employees | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that when employees work from home, they can choose their hours and are not disturbed by other workers. This helps them work better. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'distraction'. This means things that interrupt or disturb a person while they are working. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'distraction' because the passage mentions that working at home helps employees avoid being bothered by other workers. This shows that fewer distractions help them be more productive. |
| Q26 | Creativity | Being outside the confines of the office walls also appears to foster creativity | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that when employees work away from their office, it seems to help them think of new ideas better. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'creativity', which means the ability to make new ideas or things. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'creativity' because the passage says that working outside the office helps ideas to flow better. This means employees can think of new and different things more easily when they work from home. |
| Q27 | Retention | In terms of the business, we find this helps with top talent recruitment and staff retention, and a happy workforce is a more successful one | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that for businesses, having flexible working makes it easier to find and keep good employees, making the company more successful. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'retention', which means keeping employees in a job for a longer time. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'retention' because the passage says that flexible working helps with 'top talent recruitment and staff retention.' This means that when employees are happy with their work conditions, they are more likely to stay at their jobs. |