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Workplace Safety in IT

Read a data centre safety briefing, practise safety vocabulary and modal verbs of obligation.

B1–B2 · IT English
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Ex A – Safety BriefingReading comprehension
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Ex B – Safety VocabularyGap-fill with word bank
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Ex C – Modal VerbsGrammar: must / should / have to
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AReading: Data Centre Safety Briefing
Read the memo from the facilities manager, then choose the correct answer for each question.

To: All new IT trainees  ·  Subject: Data centre visit — Friday

Before your first visit to our data centre on Friday, please read the following safety information carefully. All visitors must sign in at reception and complete a short safety briefing before entering the server room. Inside, you must wear an ESD wrist strap whenever you handle components — even a small electrostatic discharge can destroy a memory module.

Please watch out for trip hazards. Although our cable management is generally good, some floor panels were removed last week for maintenance and the area is marked with yellow tape. Do not step over open panels; walk around them. The room is loud (around 80 dB) because of the ventilation system, so ear protection is recommended for stays of more than one hour. Finally, food and drink are strictly forbidden — liquids and electronics are a dangerous combination. A full risk assessment is attached to this memo. — M. Weber, Facilities Manager

1. Before entering the server room, all visitors must .
2. An ESD wrist strap protects .
3. The yellow tape marks .
4. Ear protection is recommended .
5. Food and drink in the server room are .
6. The full risk assessment is .
BVocabulary: Workplace Safety Terms
Complete each sentence with the correct term. Two words in the bank are not needed.
Word Bank ergonomics hazard risk assessment cable management ventilation PPE ESD workstation bandwidth firewall
1. Good prevents loose cables from becoming trip hazards.
2. Before starting any electrical work, the team carries out a .
3. Adjust your chair and monitor height — good prevents back and neck pain.
4. A wet floor without a warning sign is a serious .
5. Servers produce a lot of heat, so the room needs constant .
6. Technicians wear an anti-static wrist strap to protect components from .
7. Helmets, gloves and safety glasses are examples of .
CGrammar: Modal Verbs for Rules and Advice
Choose the modal verb that fits each safety rule. Think about whether it is an obligation, a prohibition or a recommendation.
1. You wear an ESD strap when handling RAM — it is a strict rule.
2. You eat or drink in the server room — it is forbidden.
3. Employees report all accidents to their supervisor; it is required by law.
4. You take regular screen breaks — it is good for your eyes.
5. Visitors wear a helmet in this area; it is optional but recommended.
6. You be certified to repair high-voltage equipment — untrained staff are not allowed.
7. Trainees lift heavy servers alone; always ask a colleague for help.
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