Environmental Controls to Protect the Environment
Dust
Although a high standard of general site housekeeping will
minimise dust emissions the following steps should assist:
- Bulk storage of potentially dusty materials should be located
away from the site boundary.
- Mixing large quantities of concrete and/or Bentonite slurries
on site should be undertaken using enclosed plant.
- Cutting and grinding operations should be undertaken using
appropriate dust suppression techniques.
- Potentially dusty spoil and other waste materials should be
damped down regularly when handled and transported in sheeted
vehicles.
- Rubble-chutes should be used with care and "drop heights" kept
to a minimum.
- The crushing and screening of demolition material for re-use
should be undertaken by mobile plant that is capable of complying
with PG 3/16 (04) and permitted in accordance with The Pollution
Prevention and Control (England and Wales) Regulations 2000. Prior
notification to us of the use of such plant should ensure that this
activity is conducted using the best available techniques.
Further advice may be obtained from the Building Research
Establishment document entitled "Control of Dust from Construction
and Demolition Activities" (available from BRE Bookshop, 151
Rosebery Avenue, London EC1R 4GB).
Air Pollution
Smoke, fumes and particulate emissions can be minimised by
ensuring that:
- No on-site bonfires are used for the disposal of any
waste.
- All plant is properly maintained and throttled down or switched
off when not in use.
- Fuel storage tanks are located away from the site boundary and
vented at a point remote from sensitive receptors (e.g. school,
hospital or residential property).
- When tar boilers are in use the lid should be kept closed
as far as reasonably practicable.
Land Contamination
In some cases the remediation of known or suspected land
contamination may require the excavation and disposal of soils and
other waste materials. Such materials should be adequately
segregated and removed to a suitably licensed facility in
accordance with the "Duty of Care" provisions of Section 34 of the
Environmental Protection Act 1990. If there is likely to be an
offensive odour or vapour associated with the excavation and
disposal operation our Environmental Protection Team should be
advised in advance.
Asbestos
Works involving the treatment or removal of asbestos products
should be undertaken by a licensed contractor and handled in
accordance with relevant Health and Safety legislation and codes of
practice.
Noise and Vibration
We would like to encourage contractors to apply for a prior
consent in accordance with Section 61 of the Control of Pollution
Act 1974. This should ensure that measures necessary to minimise
noise and vibration impacts are identified and agreed from the
outset. Although we do not have a general "noise standard" for
construction works the following is offered as guidance:
A survey of background noise should be undertaken prior to
construction works commencing on site. Noise measurements should be
expressed in terms of the equivalent continuous noise level (LAeq)
for an averaging period of one hour and ten hours (8am-6pm)
respectively.
Noise from the proposed construction works should be predicted
in accordance with the methodology contained in British Standard BS
5228:1997 and compared to the survey of background noise.
If the predicted noise does not exceed the background noise by
more than 5dB(A) the impact is likely to be insignificant. If the
predicted noise exceeds the background noise by between 5dB(A) and
10dB(A) the impact is likely to be tolerable but attempts should be
made to reduce it. If the predicted noise exceeds the background
noise by more than 10dB(A) the impact is likely to be unacceptable
and the contractor should review the proposed plant and working
schedule.
Notwithstanding the above guidance we will expect contractors to
use the "best practicable means" to minimise noise in accordance
with Section 72 of the Control of Pollution Act 1974. For
example:
- All plant and equipment should be selected having regard to its
published sound power level.
- If an activity is inherently noisy (e.g. driven piling) then an
alternative technique should be investigated.
- Effective silencers and acoustic covers should be provided and
maintained in good working order.
- Plant and equipment should be located having regard to its
proximity to sensitive receptors (e.g. school, hospital and
residential property).
- Temporary structures and buildings may provide useful noise
screening.
- Fixed items of plant (e.g. generators) should be electrically
powered rather than diesel or petrol driven.
- Sufficient time should be allocated for large concrete pours
and if there is likely to be an over-run our Environmental
Protection Team should be advised at the earliest opportunity.
- Anti-social behaviour involving swearing, shouting and loud
radios should be avoided.
You can also view our Commercial Noise and Odour webpage for more
information.
Water and Effluent
Water and effluent generated from on-site activities should be
treated and disposed of in accordance with the requirements of the
Environment Agency and Southern Water. Adequate pollution
prevention techniques should be adopted to ensure that any
potentially hazardous substances do not come into contact with
vulnerable water (e.g. via surface water drainage systems).
Recycling water should be encouraged.
Pest Control
Preventative measures should be adopted to control any rodent
activity on site and test baiting may be necessary to confirm the
existence or otherwise of an infestation. All redundant drainage
and sewerage infrastructure should be removed or stopped up and
accumulations of putrescible waste should be avoided.
This webpage was updated on
10/24/2007