Page 70 - 6748

III Discussing regulations and standards

8 in pairs, discuss what is meant by regulations and standards, for example safety
regulations and design standards. Give some examples of organisations and departments in
your country and international bodies that produce these kinds of rules.
9a Offshore oil platforms are covered by extensive safety regulations and
design standards. In pairs, discuss the main hazards that oil platform workers face and
suggest some safety precautions that need to be taken.
b 7.5 Isobel, a Health and Safety specialist, is speaking to newly recruited oil platform
technicians on a training course. Read the introduction to her talk and answer the
following questions.
1 What kinds of regulation will the course deal with?
2 What examples does the trainer give?
3 What important point is emphasised?

Isobel: The focus of the course will be on your personal obligations in terms of looking after
your own safety, and the safety of others. That means we'll be focusing on specific safety
regulations. For instance, we’ll be looking at personal protective equipment that’s compulsory.
Or activities that are prohibited in certain areas, such as smoking. The majority of the
obligations we'll deal with are legal requirements. In other words, they’re stipulated by law as
part of health and safety legislation. If you contravene these kinds of regulations, it’s not the
same as turning up for work late, or merely breaching your contract of employment in some way.
If someone fails to comply with health and safety regs, they're breaking the law. It’s as simple as
that. I’m sure you're all aware of that, but it is an important point to emphasise.

c Complete the following extract from Isobel’s talk by underlining the correct words.
The focus of the course will be on your personal (1) legislation / obligations in terms of looking
after your own safety, and the safety of others. That means we’ll be focusing on specific safety
regulations. For instance, we'll be looking at personal protective equipment that's (2)
compulsory / prohibited. Or activities that are (3) compulsory / prohibited in certain areas,
such as smoking. The majority of the obligations we'll deal with are legal (4) requirements /
permits. In other words, they’re (5) permitted / stipulated by law as part of health and safety
(6) legislation / obligation. If you (7) contravene / comply with these kinds of regulations, it’s
not the same as turning up for work late, or merely breaching your contract of employment in
some way. If someone fails to (8) contravene / comply with health and safety regs, they're
breaking the law. It’s as simple as that. I’m sure you’re all aware of that, but it is an important
point to emphasise.

d Complete the following groups of synonyms using the words in bold in Exercise 9c.
1 illegal / banned / forbidden / prohibited
2 allowed / authorised /
3 adhere to / conform to /
4 stated /
5 break (the law) / breach (regulations) / (regulations)
6 laws / regulations / / legal / personal
7 obligatory /

10a Read the extract from a guide to safety in the offshore oil industry. Complete the text
using the words you wrote in Exercise 9d.
The helicopter flights that ferry personnel to and from the platform are subject to specific safety

68