Implementation of Environmental Systems in Construction Projects

2012 Ensafe (www.ensafe.com.au)

Prior to commencement of works, Contractors are required to prepare a Construction Environmental Management Plan (CEMP) detailing the environmental control measures required to mitigate environmental impacts during the construction stage of the project.

The CEMP is just a plan, but implementation of the plan is the most important aspect of any environmental management on construction projects. This aspect is where the majority of contractors fail. The focus of implementing the plan is to prevent adverse environmental impacts rather than controlling, treating or remediating as a result of a harmful incident.

Construction sites are constantly changing and systems must be in place to review and modify control measures to maintain their effectiveness. Therefore, frequent inspection, verification, monitoring and auditing are required to maintain and improve the effectiveness of on-site environmental management plans. In a typical construction project the following tasks are required for a sound environmental practice to safeguard the potential impacts to the environment during the construction stage:

Before project starts

The 1st step is to prepare an Environmental Management Plan (EMP); the plan must be a site specific based on the environmental impact assessment (EIA) or the Review of Environmental Factors (REF) for the development of the site. Other factors to consider for the development of the EMP are the conditions of approval, any licenses/permits required and applicable environmental legislation. The 2nd step is to induct the project delivery team on the requirements of the EMP and the responsibilities of team players at each stage of the project. Any additional environmental training required for the team must be planned and provided in a timely manner.

During works
During the delivery of the works the requirements of the EMP must be implemented and regularly monitored; the following tasks are required during construction:

2012 Ensafe (www.ensafe.com.au)

Install Erosion and sedimentation controls (ESC) on the site. Conduct regular inspections and after heavy rain to the ESC to ascertain they are working effectively. Implement any other environmental safeguards required by the EMP, such as: protecting trees, controlling noxious weeds, protecting fauna controlling water discharge from sedimentation basins establishing concrete washing areas controlling dust and other atmospheric contaminant emissions, preventing accidental spillages from plant and other chemicals used on the works, establishing impervious bounding area for chemical storage trucking mud on the roads, preserving of any heritage item found on site.

Conduct regular workplace environmental inspections to monitor the effectiveness of environmental safeguards Other important factor on each construction project is the management of waste; which requires the establishment of waste register to capture waste generated, recyclable waste and waste disposal to approved disposal site, some types of waste may also require tracking. If disposing waste on private land, an approval is required from the owner and in some instances an approval from local council is also required. During works any environmental incident requires be notified to client or the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA). The EPA will be notified of pollution incidents on or around the site, which have occurred in the course of the works, only on certain circumstances defined on State Government legislation. A register to capture members of the public complaints must be established, complaints may be because of dust, noise, driveway access; complaint should be addressed immediately. If applying herbicides or pesticides an Application record must be completed and kept on project records.

2012 Ensafe (www.ensafe.com.au)

On completion of the project

All disturbed areas must be restored to a standard at least similar to their original condition or landscaped according to contract requirements.

For More Information and Articles Like The One Above, Please Visit: http://www.ensafe.com.au/

2012 Ensafe (www.ensafe.com.au)