英语听力—环球英语 996 Creating a Safe Work Place

 　　Voice 1

 

　　Hello and welcome to Spotlight¹. I'm Steve Myersco.

 

　　Voice 2

 

　　And I'm Ruby² Jones. Spotlight uses a special English method of broadcasting. It is easier for people to understand, no matter where in the world they live.

 

　　Voice 1

 

　　Twenty-five workers are busy in a small workshop in Agra, northern India. Carefully, they shape soft stones into objects for sale. They make boxes, bowls, small animals! The working conditions here are not perfect. Often, there are power cuts. This means that the electricity supply stops. But there is something very different about this workshop. Unlike other stone workshops, there is hardly any dust here at all! And this is very strange. Making the objects is dusty work! As well as this, the workers receive good earnings⁴. So they are healthy and happy! In today's programme we tell the story behind this workshop. And we tell about work to improve working conditions for people everywhere.

 

　　Voice 2

 

　　R.C. Marble Handicrafts is the name of the workshop in Agra. It is a family business. Ramesh Chand and his brothers manage the workshop. They make the stone objects from marble. Marble is a shiny looking stone. It looks very nice, but when you cut it, it produces a lot of dust. This can mean that workers breathe in the fine dust particles⁵ all day. And this is not healthy! After a day's work, people go home covered with white dust from head to toe! Ramesh and his workers were used to this. However, this changed when they began working with an organisation⁶ called Asha Handicrafts.

 

　　Voice 1

 

　　Asha Handicrafts is based in Mumbai. The group began in 1975. Its aim is to ‘trade, train and transform (change).' Asha works³ with small businesses and workers. It gives them financial support and training. Its values are: to put people before profits and to do business with the aim of changing lives. Asha also makes sure that producers receive a fair share of the value of their product. And Asha works to ensure that no child labour is involved in the process.

 

　　Voice 2

 

　　One of Asha's producers is R.C. Marble Handicrafts - managed by Ramesh Chand. When Asha members visited Ramesh's workshop they noticed the dust problem.  They wanted to solve this problem. But expert advisers⁷ told them that it would be costly⁸. So, the Asha team asked Ramesh for his ideas.

 

　　Voice 1

 

　　Ramesh suggested that they fit a series of extractor fans under the floors of the workshop. The extractor fans could extract⁹ - remove - the dust from the workshop. Ramesh wrote down the plans. Then, Asha showed the plans to a mechanical¹⁰ engineer. The engineer told them that it was a low technology solution. But it would work!

 

　　Voice 2

 

　　However, there was still a problem. The R.C. Marble Handicrafts workshop was on the ground floor of Ramesh's house. And they could not build the new extractor system there. There was only one answer. R.C. Marble needed a new building. Asha and aid group Tearfund gave Ramesh some money to start building a new workshop. And Ramesh borrowed the remaining money. After three years, the project was complete. Ramesh and his team had a new workshop with the fan extractor system!

 

　　Voice 1

 

　　Walk into R.C. Marble Handicrafts today and it is a completely different place! Workers are not covered in white dust. The extractor system has greatly reduced the amount of dust floating in the air. Workers only need to wear a protective¹¹ mask for a small number of jobs now, instead of all the time. When visitors go to the workshop they are amazed¹². They are used to seeing people covered in white dust! But now, workers remain clean and healthy. R.C. Marble Handicrafts has become a popular place. Workers from other places ask Ramesh if they can work for him. They want to work in a clean and healthy environment. And they want to receive fair earnings. Thanks to Ramesh and Asha, they now know that such things are possible.

 

　　Voice 2

 

　　Asha Handicrafts works with thousands of skilled¹³ workers across India. Together, they are spreading positive values in the work place. These ensure that workers are treated fairly. And they ensure that workshops are safe. Here are some of the guidelines¹⁴ that Asha uses for its producers' workshops:

 

　　Voice 1

 

　　Water filters¹⁵ must be fitted in the work places. Filters clean the water. This is important. Unsafe water causes many diseases¹⁶.

 

　　Voice 2

 

　　The electrical wiring of the workshop must be safe. If it is not, Asha makes sure someone does it again - correctly.

 

　　Voice 1

 

　　Workers must know about particular dangers. For example, it is dangerous to connect unprotected wires directly into electrical fittings¹⁷. This can cause a fire.

 

　　Voice 2

 

　　Each workshop must have a fire extinguisher - to put out any fires in the local area.

 

　　Voice 1

 

　　When working with dust, workers should wear protective masks to cover their faces.

 

　　Voice 2

 

　　It is important to get rid of production waste correctly.

 

　　Voice 1

 

　　Asha makes sure that the people they work with follow all these rules. And it gives them support to do so.

 

　　Voice 2

 

　　The ILO is the International Labour Organisation. It estimates¹⁸ that each year over two million [2,000,000] people die from work-related accidents and diseases. Dangerous substances cause around six hundred and fifty thousand [650,000] deaths. For example, asbestos is a dangerous mineral. Breathing in asbestos severely¹⁹ damages the lungs. It was used a lot in building and industry, but many countries have now banned it - but not all countries. Still, one hundred thousand [100,000] people die each year from working with asbestos. The real numbers are probably much higher, because many cases are not reported.

 

　　Voice 1

 

　　The ILO brings together governments, employers²⁰ and workers. Together they seek to encourage good, safe, work throughout the world. Business managers and community leaders can help. They can create safe and healthy environments for their employees. This is a good long term investment²¹ for everyone. Safe environments decrease the risk of accidents. Good, safe, environments permit employees to work better and more effectively. This increases profits and well being.

 

　　Voice 2

 

　　Juan Somavia is the director general of the ILO. He said:

 

　　Voice 3

 

　　‘Work must be life giving, not life taking. Good work is also safe work.'

 

　　Voice 1

 

　　Organisations like Asha Handicrafts are working to make this come true. In the ancient Sanskrit language, Asha means ‘hope.' With the support of everyone in the community, there is hope for a better, safer working environment. And it is in everyone's interest to make this happen.

 

　　Voice 2

 

　　The writer and producer of today's programme was Marina Santee. Ramesh's story is from a magazine produced by Tearfund and written by Lucas Caldeira. The voices you heard were from the United Kingdom and the United States. All quotes were adapted and voiced by Spotlight. Computer users²² can find our programmes on our website at http://www.radio.english.net The p.rogramme is called: ‘Creating a Safe Work Place.'

 

　　Voice 1

 

　　If you have comments or questions about our programmes, write to us. Our email address is radio @ english . net. Thank you for listening to today's Spotlight. Goodbye.

1 spotlight   

n.公众注意的中心，聚光灯，探照灯，视听，注意，醒目

参考例句：

• This week the spotlight is on the world of fashion.本周引人瞩目的是时装界。
• The spotlight followed her round the stage.聚光灯的光圈随着她在舞台上转。

2 ruby   

n.红宝石，红宝石色

参考例句：

• She is wearing a small ruby earring.她戴着一枚红宝石小耳环。
• On the handle of his sword sat the biggest ruby in the world.他的剑柄上镶有一颗世上最大的红宝石。

3 works   

n.作品，著作；工厂，活动部件，机件

参考例句：

• We expect writers to produce more and better works.我们期望作家们写出更多更好的作品。
• The novel is regarded as one of the classic works.这篇小说被公认为是最优秀的作品之一。

4 earnings   

n.工资收人；利润，利益，所得

参考例句：

• That old man lives on the earnings of his daughter.那个老人靠他女儿的收入维持生活。
• Last year there was a 20% decrease in his earnings.去年他的收入减少了20%。

5 particles   

微粒( particle的名词复数 )； 颗粒； 极少量； 小品词

参考例句：

• These small particles agglomerate together to form larger clusters. 这些颗粒聚结形成较大的团。
• The nucleus of an atom consists of neutrons, protons and other particles. 原子核由中子、质子和其他粒子构成。

6 organisation   

n.组织，安排，团体，有机休

参考例句：

• The method of his organisation work is worth commending.他的组织工作的方法值得称道。
• His application for membership of the organisation was rejected.他想要加入该组织的申请遭到了拒绝。

7 advisers   

顾问，劝告者( adviser的名词复数 )； （指导大学新生学科问题等的）指导教授

参考例句：

• a member of the President's favoured circle of advisers 总统宠爱的顾问班子中的一员
• She withdrew to confer with her advisers before announcing a decision. 她先去请教顾问然后再宣布决定。

8 costly   

adj.昂贵的，价值高的，豪华的

参考例句：

• It must be very costly to keep up a house like this.维修这么一幢房子一定很昂贵。
• This dictionary is very useful,only it is a bit costly.这本词典很有用，左不过贵了些。

9 extract   

vt.取出，提取，获得，摘录；n.摘录，提出物

参考例句：

• The article was a choice extract from her writings.这篇文章是从她的著作中摘录出来的精粹。
• We can extract oil from olive.我们可以从橄榄中榨油。

10 mechanical   

adj.机械(学)的；力学的；机械似的；手工操作的

参考例句：

• He borrowed a mechanical book from me.他从我这儿借了一本力学方面的书。
• He looks very mechanical.他看上去非常呆板。

11 protective   

adj.防护的，保护的

参考例句：

• A mother naturally feels protective towards her children.做母亲的天生要保护自己的孩子。
• We feel safe with a protective device in the house.我们因为家里有了防护装置而感到安全。

12 amazed   

adj.吃惊的，惊奇的v.使大为吃惊，使惊奇( amaze的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• Just the size of the place amazed her. 仅仅地方之大就使她十分惊奇。
• I was amazed at her knowledge of French literature. 她的法国文学知识之丰富使我大为惊奇。

13 skilled   

adj.(in)熟练的，有技能的；需要技能的

参考例句：

• Unskilled workers usually earn less money than skilled workers.无技能的工人通常比有技能的工人挣钱少。
• She was skilled enough in French to translate a novel.她法语娴熟，足以翻译小说。

14 guidelines   

n.指导方针，准则

参考例句：

• The government has drawn up guidelines on the treatment of the mentally ill. 政府制订了对待精神病人的指导方针。
• Planners seem a little uncomfortable with the current government guidelines. 规划师似乎不太接受现行的政府指道方针。

15 filters   

过滤( filter的名词复数 )； 滤光器； （香烟头上的）过滤嘴； 交通红灯指示不得直行的同时

参考例句：

• Filters do not remove all contaminants from water. 过滤器无法过滤掉水中的所有污染物。
• A liquid filters through a strainer,into the receptacle beneath. 液体经过过滤器流入下面的容器。

16 diseases   

n.疾病( disease的名词复数 )；弊端；恶疾；痼疾

参考例句：

• Smoking is a causative factor in several major diseases. 抽烟是引起几种严重疾病的病因。
• The illness frequently coexists with other chronic diseases. 这种病往往与其他慢性病同时存在。

17 fittings   

n. 家具, 设备 名词deferment的复数形式

参考例句：

• Fittings should be completely removed for cleaning. 装置都得全部移走以便清扫房子。
• The standardized fittings can be employed universally. 标准化零件可以通用。

18 estimates   

估计

参考例句：

• Unofficial estimates put the figure at over two million. 非官方的估计数字为200万以上。
• We got estimates from three different contractors before accepting the lowest. 我们得到3个承包商的报价后，接受了最低的报价。 来自《简明英汉词典》

19 severely   

adv.严格地；严厉地；非常恶劣地

参考例句：

• He was severely criticized and removed from his post.他受到了严厉的批评并且被撤了职。
• He is severely put down for his careless work.他因工作上的粗心大意而受到了严厉的批评。

20 employers   

雇主( employer的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Employers must consider all candidates impartially and without bias. 雇主必须公平而毫无成见地考虑所有求职者。
• The onus is on employers to follow health and safety laws. 雇主有义务遵行健康安全法。

21 investment   

n.投资，投资额；(时间、精力等的)投入

参考例句：

• It took two years before I recouped my investment.我用了两年时间才收回投资。
• The success of the project pivots on investment from abroad.这个工程的成功主要依靠外来投资。

22 users   

用户，使用者( user的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The new software will prove a boon to Internet users. 这种新软件将会对互联网用户大有益处。
• Ramps should be provided for wheelchair users. 应该给轮椅使用者提供坡道。