Grammar study: Continuous Tense (Active and Passive)

Времена группы Continuous Active and Passive употребляются для выражения действия в процессе его совершения. Continuous Active образуется с помощью вспомогательного глагола to be (в соответствующем времени – Present, Past или Future) и причастия настоящего времени смыслового глагола.

Sample: It is necessary to make sure that welders are working in comfortable postures – Необходимо убедиться, что сварщики работают в удобном положении (Present Continuous, Active).

Continuous Passive образуется с помощью вспомогательного глагола to be (в форме Continuous) и причастия прошедшего времени смыслового глагола: to be + being + Participle II.

Note: форма страдательного залога во Future Continuous в английском языке отсутствует.

Sample: It is necessary to verify that the welding equipment is being used in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions – Необходимо удостовериться, что сварочное оборудование используется в соответствии с инструкциями изготовителя (Present Continuous Passive).

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Read the text giving information about safety of welding workers:

Welding Safety Rules

Few processes are as potentially hazardous as welding. Welding generates hot sparks, gas flames, and molten slag and metal – all of which can cause severe burns. The dangers are a fact of life, and we should all be concerned about it. One thing is that the soaring costs of workplace accidents and illness also have to be kept in mind. Another benefit of a safe and healthy workplace is simply that people are more productive and efficient when they are confident and comfortable in their environment.

What are the main hazards in welding shops and in other industries that employ welders? What should the plant manager or shop foreman be looking for? Welding safety is a very complex subject. It is particularly important to check out your safety procedures if this has not been done since a change in your welding operation has occurred. Nothing can replace the knowledge gained from day-to-day observation of the methods used on your own shop floor.

To risk of fires and explosion during welding is severe. Every year, we hear stories about welders who struck arcs in explosible atmospheres or in supposedly empty tanks and who died in the resulting blasts. Explosive solvent concentrations can be present even in vessels that haven’t been used for years. Oxy-gas welding in confined spaces can generate highly explosive, oxygen-rich atmospheres if there are any leaks in the oxygen line. One simple rule can help you to avoid tragedies. Never permit welding on tanks or vessels that may have contained combustible material until the tanks have been thoroughly cleaned out and/or made inert (e.g. by filling with carbon dioxide or nitrogen).

As the result of all said above the accident prevention measures in welding should be:

1. store all flammable materials away from the welding activity;

2. separate welding operations with fire-resistant curtains or other barriers;

3. make sure all appropriate warning signs are clearly posted;

4. make sure electric arc processes are properly grounded;

5. check the lighting in terms of brightness and darkness. Excessive light can reduce visibility of the workpiece;

6. have fire extinguishers available;

7. identify and analyze potential threats from all chemicals associated with the workpiece (paint, degreasers and any other coatings);

8. check hazards information on the metals and alloys to be welded;

9. review the manuals and other documentation provided with the welding equipment to verify that it is being used in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions;

10. check exhaust air systems for efficiency. Efficient air handling systems will help you both by removing potentially hazardous fumes and by removing heated air from the workplace, keeping temperatures down;

11. make sure that welding shields are actually being used on any processes emitting ultra-violet radiation;

12. check procedures for storing gas cylinders. These cylinders must be kept in a clean, dry, protected area separate from flammable materials.

13. inspect electrode holders, guns, torches, hose, cable and other accessories for signs of damage or wear, as well as general cleanliness. Replace worn-out components immediately.

14. make sure that cables are properly sized for the current.

15. establish work routines which give workers regular breaks from hot environments. For example, the welder could spend 45 minutes in and 15 minutes out of a hot area;

16. make sure that welders are wearing full protective gear. Check the condition of protective equipment and verify that proper welding lenses are in use;

17. determine whether new processes have created a need for additional respiratory protection. If such respirators are needed, the workers should be trained in their use;

18. make sure that welders are working in comfortable postures and that they are using correct techniques in lifting and handling heavy loads.

Sometimes the workers may be faced with a dangerous, hot, baldy-lit, cramped welding operation that is extremely difficult to change. In such a case restructuring the operation so that it can be done by a robot may be the most humane and cost-effective answer.

Exercise 3. Complete the sentences:

1. Hot sparks by welding can cause…

2. Welding processes are potentially…

3. The risk of fires and explosion during welding is…

4. Oxy-gas welding in confined spaces can generate…

5. Some simple rules can help you to…

6. Separate welding operations with…

7. Check the lighting in terms of…

8. Check exhaust air systems for…

9. Make sure that welders are wearing…

Exercise 4. Find English equivalents to a Russian word:

1. взрыв	a) flash b) blow	c) explosion d) blast
2. мастер (на заводе)	a) master b) supervisor	c) foreman d) skilled workman
3. пламя	a) spark b) fire	c) flame d) light
4. подниматься, повышаться	a) to increase b) to raise	c) to soar d) to rise
5. выгода	a) benefit b) profit	c) advantage d) welfare
6. получать	a) to get b) to receive	c) to gain d) to attain
7. считать, полагать	a) to think b) to suppose	c) to believe d) to consider
8. горючий материал	a) burning b) flammable	c) firing d) combustible
9. удостовериться	a) to identify b) to testify	c) to make sure d) to verify
10. поза, положение	a) position b) location	c) posture d) condition

Exercise 5. Translate into English:

1. Сварка – потенциально опасная работа.

2. Горячие искры и расплавленный металл могут вызвать ожоги.

3. Благодаря безопасному и здоровому рабочему месту труд становится более продуктивным и эффективным.

4. Руководитель предприятия или мастер должны предвидеть опасные ситуации.

5. При сварочных работах необходимо исключать взрывоопасную среду.

6. Нельзя производить сварку в помещении (space) или резервуаре с бывшими (former) горючими материалами.

7. Воспламеняющиеся материалы должны храниться за пределами (away from) зоны сварки.

8. При сварке нужно удалять из помещения опасный дым и газ.

9. В рабочем режиме сварщиков должны быть перерывы.

10. Сварщики должны носить полное защитное обмундирование (gear).