Section E: Environmental Awareness

What your employer should do:

• Explain specific environmental issues at induction• Let you know about their methods to avoid

pollution• Provide means to distribute, store and use

materials in a manner that avoids damage to the environment

• Provide means to dispose of waste• Provide emergency response methods (such as

spill kits)

Environmental Awareness Section E: Environmental Awareness

What you should do for your employer:

• Reuse materials where possible

• Dispose of waste correctly

• Avoid creating dust or noise

• Know where the spill kit is located

Environmental Awareness Section E: Environmental Awareness

• Construction firms are legally obliged to ensure that their operations do not adversely affect the environment

• It is the responsibility of everyone on site to be aware of environmental risks

• Remember, both companies AND individuals can be prosecuted if they do not follow environmental law

Environmental Awareness Section E: Environmental Awareness

Sustainability means carrying out construction work in a responsible manner with a view to minimising environmental damage

Examples of good practice include:• Using local products to minimise transport• Using local labour and services• Saving energy by turning off equipment when not in

use• Designing out waste • Reusing left over materials to conserve raw materials• Segregating waste into different types to improve recycling• Using reclaimed materials

Sustainability Section E: Environmental Awareness

• Sustainability is about making the best use of resources

• It takes a lot of energy and raw materials to make construction products – the more we recycle the better for the environment

Maximum conservation of

resources

Sustainability Section E: Environmental Awareness

Damaging, disturbing or removing protected species can result in prosecution

Construction activities can impact on the natural environment by:

• The destruction or disturbance of birds, bats, badgers and other protected species• Removal of wildlife habitats• Disturbance of aquatic wildlife or water quality• Disturbance of wildlife by noise• Damage to trees and hedgerows

Natural Environment Section E: Environmental Awareness

Species of plant that do not naturally grow in the UK but have been introduced are known as non-native species

It is an offence to plant or otherwise cause to grow plants such as:• Giant Hogweed

• Japanese knotweed

• Himalayan Balsam

Natural Environment Section E: Environmental Awareness

What are the causes of pollution?

• Deliberately or accidentally allowing substances to soak into the ground or enter rivers or burns

• Allowing smoke fumes or dust to contaminate the air

• Causing excessive noise, light or vibration that can affect the quality of life for nearby residents

• Mixing contaminated waste with ‘clean’ waste

• The destruction or disturbance of the habitats of plants or wildlife

Pollution Section E: Environmental Awareness

• Employers have to consider the use of spill kits to contain and clean up spillages...

• You may have to place contaminated soil in a separate container as well as any chemicals themselves…

• Remember, spillages near watercourses require particular attention – never use detergents that may transfer into the water

Managing Spillages Section E: Environmental Awareness

• When dealing with waste you must comply with site instructions for handling waste materials

• It is good environmental practice to segregate and separate waste – this aids sustainability and makes recycling easier

• Remember, there are specific rules for dealing with hazardous waste – if in doubt consult your supervisor

Dealing with Waste Section E: Environmental Awareness

• Be especially aware of any materials with a ‘hazardous chemical’ symbol….

• This symbol lets you know that a product is harmful to the environment

• Always check the product label for instructions of how to dispose of the product – make sure you follow them accurately

Dealing with Waste Section E: Environmental Awareness

Examples of hazardous waste include:

• Asbestos

• Batteries

• Used spill kits

• Fluorescent light tubes

• Waste solvents (white spirit, oils bitumen based materials)

Hazardous Waste Section E: Environmental Awareness

Toxic Spillages Must be Taken Seriously… Section E: Environmental Awareness

…At All Times! Section E: Environmental Awareness

Questions Section E: Environmental Awareness