Environmental Management

What is 'environmental management' in construction?

• ANot relevant to construction
• BControlling construction impacts on the environment: waste, pollution, water, ecosystems, and air quality✓
• COnly tree planting
• DOnly for very large projects

Answer: Environmental management in construction addresses: waste management, pollution prevention, water management, dust/noise control, and ecological protection.

What is the 'waste hierarchy' in environmental management?

• ALandfill first
• BPrevent, reduce, reuse, recycle, recovery, and disposal as last resort✓
• COnly recycling
• DNo hierarchy needed

Answer: Waste hierarchy (from best to worst): Prevention, Reduction, Reuse, Recycling, Energy recovery, Disposal. Each should be pursued in order before moving to the next.

What is 'duty of care' regarding construction waste?

• ANot the contractor's responsibility
• BLegal obligation to handle, store, and dispose of waste responsibly using licensed contractors and documentation✓
• COnly for hazardous waste
• DOnly if visible waste

Answer: Duty of care for waste requires: proper containment, segregation, storage (secure and protected), use of licensed waste contractors, and documentation of waste transfer.

What is a 'Site Waste Management Plan' (SWMP) and what does it cover?

• AJust collection
• BDocument planning waste segregation, reuse, recycling, and disposal routes for different waste streams✓
• COnly for large projects
• DOptional for compliance

Answer: A SWMP identifies: waste types likely, minimization strategies, reuse/recycling opportunities, licensed contractors, disposal routes, and monitoring procedures.

What are 'construction waste' types and segregation requirements?

• ANo segregation needed
• BWood, metals, plastics, concrete, brick, insulation; segregation required for recovery/recycling✓
• CAll waste is the same
• DOnly hazardous waste needs segregation

Answer: Construction waste types: concrete, brick, soil, wood, metals, plastics, plasterboard, insulation. Segregation enables recycling: metals can be 95% recovered, wood 95%, concrete 95%.

What is 'pollution prevention' in construction?

• ANot necessary
• BPreventing soil, water, and air pollution through spill control, dust management, and proper chemical storage✓
• COnly for chemical spills
• DOnly after a spill occurs

Answer: Pollution prevention includes: secondary containment for fuels/oils, proper drainage, dust suppression, chemical storage (labeling, segregation), and spill response procedures.

What is 'dust control' and what methods are used?

• ANot necessary
• BMethods to minimize dust: water spraying, extraction systems, barriers, and work scheduling✓
• COnly sweeping
• DOnly on windy days

Answer: Dust control measures: water spraying (damping down), local extraction, hoarding/barriers, work scheduling (avoid dusty tasks in high wind), and respiratory protection.

What is 'noise pollution' control in construction?

• ANo control needed
• BLimiting noise impact on neighbors through equipment selection, silencers, screening, and restricted hours✓
• COnly ear protection
• DOnly for residential areas

Answer: Noise control: quieter equipment, silencers, acoustic screening, work hour restrictions, monitoring, and neighbor notification. Limits typically 75-85 dB during day, lower at night.

What is 'water management' in construction environmental protection?

• ANot important
• BProtecting water from pollution: silt fences, settling tanks, spill containment, and controlling run-off✓
• COnly during rain
• DOnly for large sites

Answer: Water protection includes: intercepting silt/sediment (silt fences, settling ponds), preventing fuel/chemical spills (containment), managing surface water, and dewatering control.

What is the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and its relevance to construction?

• ANot relevant
• BAct providing framework for waste management, pollution control, and environmental duties✓
• COnly for large developments
• DOnly for demolition

Answer: EPA 1990 establishes: waste management duties, pollution controls, and requires waste management licenses for certain activities. All construction must comply.

What is 'ecological impact' and when is an assessment needed?

• ANot a concern
• BPotential effects on wildlife/habitats; assessment needed for large projects, sensitive locations, or protected species✓
• COnly for large buildings
• DOnly if ponds present

Answer: Ecological surveys and impact assessments are needed for projects affecting: protected species, designated habitats, water bodies, woodlands, or large sites. Mitigation is required.

What are 'hazardous construction wastes' requiring special handling?

• ARegular construction waste
• BAsbestos, paints, solvents, oils, and batteries requiring licensed disposal and documentation✓
• COnly asbestos
• DOnly if very toxic

Answer: Hazardous wastes in construction include: asbestos (licensed disposal), oils/fluids, paints/solvents, batteries, fluorescent tubes (mercury), and PCBs. These require special contracts and tracking.