e environmental awareness
TRANSCRIPT
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