1. Introduction

In electrical engineering, safety is always an issue, as you could see in the previous unit. Although we have made great advancement in technology, human error will always be a problem. People simply make mistakes, either as a result of carelessness or insufficient willingness to follow safety guidelines. We have touched on this topic in Unit 10a. Unit 10bc is a follow-up unit which will first give you a chance to revise some material you have come across already and then focus on vocabulary and grammar necessary to describe situations that typically follow an electrical accident. Usually, there is an investigation and some speculations about the incident followed by giving recommendations and expressing regret. As usual, you will also have a chance to express your opinion.


Contents:

·         Revision: Electrical incident vocabulary:

inadequate wiring, personal protective equipment…

·         Revision: Past Continuous tense vs. Past Simple tense:

As he was digging a hole using a pneumatic breaker, he hit an underground cable.

·         Revision: Passive modals:

This extension cord is damaged and should not be used.

·         Past passive modals for speculation and regret:

The extension cord could have been the problem. It was damaged and should not have been used.

·         The third conditional for talking about unreal situations in the past:

If they had not used the damaged extension cord, the accident would never have happened