Environmental
Flowfront is firmly committed to lessen any environmental impact it may have as a company. Positive action is taken to reduce energy consumption, increase recycling and evaluate the use of raw materials and reduce waste. • Comply with all relevant environmental legislation. Your responsibilities The information contained in this handbook is based on current environmental best practice and has been developed to help ensure the protection and enhancement of the local environment. The guidance applies to all Flowfront sites and must be followed at all times. If you have problems or need advice, your site supervisor will be happy to help. You must always: • Be aware of the site rules for the site you are working on. You must never: • Burn waste on site without permission from your supervisor. These rules are easy to follow, however failure to follow then may lead to you being removed from site. Reporting incidents All environmental incidents, however small, must be reported to your site supervisor. Accidents, such as oil spills do happen but prompt action may help prevent pollution of the local environment. You can help by making sure that your supervisor is told immediately of any problems. Spill kits are available on site. You need to be aware of where they are kept and how to use them. If in doubt, ask! Emergency procedures, emergency contacts and other information for dealing with an environmental incident can be found on the notice board around the site. Silt Pollution of streams and rivers from silt is a big problem on construction projects. Silt is unsightly, it can block out sunlight and coat the bottom of the riverbed preventing plants and animals from growing. Silt can also clog the gills of fish causing them to suffocate. Silt can easily be created during construction works in or near a river or stream. Common activities that can cause silt pollution include dredging, excavating, piling, drilling, grouting, concreting and dewatering excavations. During heavy rainfall, runoff from exposed areas of earthworks can also result in silt entering streams and rivers. Silt pollution can be avoided. You can help – make sure you: • Have permission before carrying out any works within a stream or river. If in doubt ask Fuel and oil A large number of water pollution incidents from construction works are a result of oil spills. Most oil spills are caused by poor storage arrangements, leaks from plant and equipment or accidental spillage during refueling. Oil spills, particularly in rivers and streams can cause long-term damage to the plants and animals that live there. Oil pollution can easily be avoided. • Refuel plant and equipment at the designated refueling points. If in doubt ask Paints, chemicals and lubricants Incorrect storage, use and disposal of paints, chemicals, lubricants and other hazardous materials such as weed killer can also lead to pollution of rivers and streams. All chemical products in use on site have been assessed and strict arrangements for their storage, use and disposal are in place. Make sure you: • Are familiar with ht information and requirements in the COSHH assessment. If in doubt ask your site COSHH Coordinator. Emergencies – spill control Accidents do happen. In order to minimise the impact of a spill you need to be aware of what to do and who to contact. Make sure you: • Are familiar with the emergency arrangements on your site. If a spill occurs • STOP work immediately. On land use sand or absorbent granules and protect high risk areas e.g. drains. On water use oil booms to contain the spill and prevent it moving downstream. • TELL your supervisor. Reduce, reuse and recycle The construction industry sends some 74 million tones of construction and demolition waste to landfill each year! This method of disposal can cause pollution to land, air and water. It is also a waste of money and resources. A lot of construction waste can be reused or recycled. Reuse and recycling of waste can help protect the environment and reduce the need for raw materials. It can also help save the company money! Flowfront are keen to reduce, reuse and recycle its construction and demolition waste. You can help where bins are provided by separating wastes so that they can easily be reused, recycled or recovered. REDUCE the amount of waste you create by: • Storing materials correctly in accordance with manufacturers instructions. REUSE materials on site: • Shuttering can be used a number of times. RECYCLE – There are lots of materials that could be recycled on your site. Use the skps and bins where provided to recycle the following: • Scrap metal Your site supervisor will arrange for the safe storage and proper disposal of all site wastes. Waste Waste is simply ‘something that you no longer want’. All waste materials produced on site are subject to strict legal requirements for their storage, transport and disposal. The law places responsibilities on all those who product, handle and dispose of waste. You can help ensure the law is met by: • Keeping your site clean and tidy. Hazardous waste Some waste materials may contain materials that are hazardous to your health or the environment and will require special arrangements for disposal. These wastes must be stored separately from general waste in the special bins provided and disposed of in accordance with the product COSHH information. If in doubt ask your supervisor Nuisance Construction works have the potential to cause nuisance and disruption to local residents, local businesses, schools and the general public. Typical nuisances from site activities include: • Noise Noise and vibration • Working within the agreed hours of work for your site. Light Light pollution has the potential to cause nuisance particularly during night time working. You can help reduce the risk of light pollution by: • Positioning lights to avoid lighting areas outside the work area. Dust Excessive dust generated on site can cause health problems for you and you fellow workers as well as creating a nuisance. You can reduce dust on site by: • Using a water feed or vacuum system when cutting, grinding, drilling or scabbling. Smoke and smells Smoke caused by fires or nasty smells from site can be reduced by: • Ensuring that no waste materials are burnt (unless permission has been given by your supervisor). Public relations Establishing and keeping up a good relationship with local residents is essential while carrying out any works on your site. Flowfront has an excellent reputation with the public as being a considerate contractor. Please remember that you foster good working relationships with local residents and the general public. You can help: • Be polite to local residents and members of the public. These may be considered as a disciplinary matter. Protected species Construction works can have a significant impact on the plants and animals that live on or near to your site. Some plants and animals are so rare or important that they or their homes may be protected by law. It’s important therefore that construction works, large or small, carried out on sensitive sites where protected species are present are undertaken in al planned and responsible manner. You must ensure that you: • Carry out the works in accordance with the approved method statement. If in doubt ask. Protected species that are often found on construction sites include: • Great crested newts There are a wide variety of protected plant and animal species in the UK. You will be told of nay of those likely to be present on you r site in the site induction. If you discover any plants or animals (particularly protected species) on site that might be affected by your work you must: • STOP work immediately. Trees and hedgerows All hedgerows are protected by UK law. Care must be taken when working close to trees or hedgerows. You must: • Remove or cut down only trees or hedgerows you have been instructed to work on. Invasive plants Invasive plants are weeds that spread easily and grow quickly. Japanese Knotweek and Giant Hogweed are two types of invasive plant commonly found on construction sites. It is a criminal offence to plant or cause the spread of these plants. Giant Hogweed contains poisonous sap in its stem that can cause severe irritation and blistering to the skin. You will be told about the location and presence of any invasive plants on your site during the site induction. When working on a site where invasive plants are present you must ensure that you: • Have pemission before you start work Archaeology Construction works, particularly earthworks, sometimes take place in areas of archaeological importance. Work on sites that are of paticular interest are often carrie dout under the supervision of an archaeologist. You will be told of any areas on your site that are sensitive and it is important that you carry our your works in a responsible manner. You must ensure that you: • Carry out the work in accordance with the approved method statement. Excavation works can sometimes lead ot the discovery of unexpected finds such as bones, coins, pottery,m foundations and other items of archaeological interest. If you come across any unexpected finds during your work on site you must: • STOP work immediately and make the area safe. If in doubt ask. Materials use and resources The construction industry uses a large volume of natural materials (e.g. stone, timber and steel) and other resources such as water, oil and electricity during the lifetime of a construction project. Flowfront is committed to reducing the use of natural materials wherever possible. You can help by: • Storing materials properly so they won’t get damaged or spoilt. Summary Flowfront expects you to follow the advice and basic good practice outlined in this booklet. The environment is important and as individuals we can each play a part in protecting, improving and preserving it for our future generations. Your contribution on site will help: • Improve the image of the civil engineering industry. Your help is vital in achieving this.
Flowfront aims to:
• Assess with environmental risks associated with our work.
• Implement controls to manage these risks effectively and prevent pollution.
• Reuse and recycle construction and demolition waste wherever possible.
• Use resources and energy wisely.
• Establish environmental targets and monitor our performance against them..
• Keep your work place tidy.
• Be considerate to local residents and the general public.
• Keep plant in good working order and report any leaks or faults.
• Turn plant equipment off when not in use.
• Use the bins provided to dispose of your waste materials.
• Report any spills or other environmental problems immediately.
• Discharge water to a stream or river without permission.
• Bury waste materials on site.
• Ignore leaking plant or equipment.
• Cut trees or remove vegetation without permission.
• Avoid carrying out earthworks during heavy rain unless instructed otherwise.
• Locate stockpiles well away from streams, rivers and surface water drains.
• Use the designated areas for concrete washout.
• Get permission from your supervisor before pumping to a river or stream.
• Reduce the risk of silty runoff by leaving vegetation where possible.
• Clean plant and equipment well away from any streams, rivers or surface water drains.
• Pump silty water to areas of grassland, settlement ponds or tanks before discharging to stream or river unless otherwise instructed.
• Return oils (including any waste oils) to their designated storage area after use.
• Store all drums upright in the drip trays provided.
• Keep drip trays clean and free of rainwater.
• Lock all delivery valves, hoses and oil stores when not in use.
• Regularly check and maintain plant and equipment to prevent leaks.
• Ensure that a spill kit is available on site and you know how to use it.
• Report all leaks, spillages and incidents, no matter how small, to your supervisor.
• Follow the site spill procedure in the event of a spill.
• Store the materials safely and securely to prevent accidental damage and spillage.
• Wear the correct PPE when using the products.
• Use the material for its intended purpose only.
• Return material to the stores at the end of each day. Know what to do if you spill the material (see spill control).
• Dispose of the material and its container safely in accordance with manufacturers instruction and site arrangements.
• Know where the emergency spill kits and oil absorbent materials are stored.
• Know who to contact in the event of a spill.
• IDENTIFY the source of the spill and prevent further spillage (if its safe to do).
• CONTAIN the spill.
• CLEAN UP the spill using the correct PPE (e.g. rubber gloves) and absorbent granules (on land) or absorbent pads (on water). Larger spills to water may need specialist attention.
• DISPOSE of used granules and absorbent pads in the bags provided and place in the hazardous waste bins provided on site.
• TELL you supervisor of the actions taken.
• Storing materials in the designated storage areas to prevent damage.
• Taking only what you need from the stores.
• Avoiding over ordering of materials.
• Timber off-cuts can be reused as stakes for setting out.
• Excavated soil can sometimes be reused on site as suitable engineering fill or landscaping material.
• Empty pallets and drums can be retuned to the supplier for reuse.
• Timber
• Plastic pipes and other plastics
• Paper and cardboard
• Trees and other vegetation for wood chip, mulch or compost
• Demolition waste – concrete, bricks and blacktop.
• Not burning waste on site.
• Storing waste materials safely and securely in the bins and skips provided.
• Covering skips to prevent wind blown litter.
• Segregating wastes into the appropriate bins or skips where provided.
• Telling your supervisor when bins and skips are full and need to be emptied.
• Vibration
• Dust
• Light
• Smoke, odours and emissions.
• Using supersilenced plant and equipment where possible.
• Locating plant and equipment away from sensitive areas.
• Turning off plant and equipment when not in use.
• Erecting screens around noisy static plant.
• Keeping generators and compressor lids closed.
• Selecting the right plant and equipment for the job.
• Considering alternative methods of work to reduce the risk of noise and vibration.
• Switching off lights when not required for safety or security.
• Directing lights downward to the work area.
• Erecting screens or baffles to reduce light spilling outside of you work area.
• Damping down haul roads.
• Complying with the site speed limits.
• Sheeting works likely to generate dust.
• Ensuring public roads are clean and kept free of mud.
• Locating stockpiles away from sensitive areas and keeping their height to a minimum.
• Informing your supervisor if you think dust nuisance is a problem.
• Covering skips to reduce the potential for unwanted smells.
• Maintaining plant and equipment on a regular basis. Checking that exhaust emissions are acceptable.
• Explain what you are doing and why.
• Tell them they can speak to the site supervisor if they have any problems.
• DO NOT use foul or abusive language where the public can hear you.
• DO NOT make vulgar or sexually suggestive comments to members of the public.
• Keep out of fenced areas and those designated as sensitive.
• Look out for wildlife (e.g. nesting birds or badger setts) during your work.
• Tell your supervisor if you have any problems.
• Bats (all types)
• Badgers
• Nesting birds
• Otters
• INFORM your site supervisor.
• Avoid compacting the soil around the base of trees.
• Fence off areas to protect them from construction works and vehicle damage etc.
• Avoid vegetation strip and removing trees and hedgerows between march and August each year (bird breeding season).
• Carry out works in accordance with the approved method statement.
• Wear appropriate PPE (e.g. gloves, overalls, eye protection) when removing Giant Hogweed.
• Keep out of fenced off areas.
• Tell your supervisor if you discover invasive plants in other areas of the site.
• Keep our of cfenced off areas.
• Tell you supervisor if you find anything.
• LEAVE the item in place.
• REPORT it to your site supervisor.
• Turning off plant and equipment when not in use.
• Fixing or reporting leaking taps and joints.
• Turn off lights and heating when not in use.
• Raise awareness and improve our performance.
• Build better relations with local residents and the general public.
• Protect the environment.
• Flowfront in continuing to be a considerate and responsible sub-contractor.
