We should all be aware of what we do on a daily basis, which in your case means Construction Environmental Impacts. There are many considerations to any building site, but amongst the most important should be the ecological cost. Recently there have been many changes to the way governments assess the damage a building site does to the environment, both local and global. This isn’t a secondary consideration any more, but an industry-changing one. There are many aspects to Construction Environmental Impacts. We’re going to go through the main ones here. Increasing awareness of this issue is of paramount importance to you, your family and the world.

Pollution

Pollution in terms of Construction Environmental Impacts used to be the only consideration taken into account by the powers that be. The construction industry accounts for anything up to 7 per cent of the CO2 emissions created globally. That’s quite a fair bit of pollution by any standards. Anyone will see that the Construction Environmental Impacts of CO2 is sizable. Expect many changes to legislation in this in the coming years, as it is well overdue for change, and the technologies available today may be expensive but will reduce emissions significantly.

Waste

Waste is another of the major Construction Environmental Impacts, and is an obvious one, given that our jobs involve creating and disposing of waste on a wholesale basis. Amazingly, the Construction Environemental Impacts may be greater than you think. In a particularly active year for construction, waste may reach over 3 times the weight of household disposal.

Resource use

As construction workers, we use almost all of the non-fuel resources in the world. That’s a significant Construction Environmental Impact by anyone’s standards. Even substances we consider as everyday are becoming increasingly difficult to dispose of. In fact, items like mineral wool and gypsum are require expert disposal. In resource use, the Construction Safety Impacts are being decreased reasonably swiftly compared to other industries. We should also consider unnecessary wastage as a factor of Construction Environmental Impact that we, ourselves can affect.

Habitat destruction

An obvious, and much publicised element of Construction Environmental Impact is habitat destruction. Obviously, if you are working on a site, you are unlikely to have any influence on the immediate destruction of habitats. However, we should all be aware of the way in which construction can work with nature to create space for the growth of humanity. It’s not simply the use of natural habitats, but the use of minerals and their sourcing that has Construction Environmental Impacts. Of ocurse, we will always need the resources to build, but we should look into more efficient ways and materials to achieve the same aims. The general rule of thumb is that building economically means creating structure that are simpler than they were previously. Also, using local materials is often deemed to be a better way of going about any construction work.

It’s not all doom and gloom though. As an industry, we are working toward a goal, and while we may lag a little behind many other industries, we are an essential part of any way of life. All we have to do is consider the Construction Environmental Impact.

Environment as defined in the dictionary as a noun in ecology, the air, water, minerals, organisms, and all other external factors surrounding and affecting a given organism at any time. It is the social and cultural forces that shape the life of a person or a population. Talking about environmental management plan has never been that so easy because there are so many things to consider and to be discussed. Construction industry based in Australia is one of those which are in need of construction environmental management plan (CEMP). In setting up all the plans, goals and objectives for your construction industry, the environmental properties must not be excluded. All aspects and tasks that will be done in the construction site will give impact to the environment; it may be the biggest or the least. Thus, construction environmental management plan must be considered.

Who are involved?
Humans are part of the environment. We are created by God to rule over and give dominion to His creation. Yet the duty is in our hands to protect the creation. I have written a blog post about construction health and safety plan which could also be related in our construction environmental management plan. Although we have to secure our individual health and safety when on the job, we must also consider the things that we do which could affect the environment, especially if we are in the construction site.  Nobody is excluded in this endeavor, but all who are involved in the construction industry, may it be from the top rank, to the lowest. Everyone must contribute and participate. Hence, the making of the construction environmental management plan exist.

Awareness and Responsibility
Consequent and effective execution of the construction management plan will guarantee that environmental concerns are fully dealt with and that environmental legislative requirements are met, if not gone beyond, during the job. In doing all construction projects, environmental legislation must be considered including also the environmental concepts and policies. Important factors in the construction site that could probably damage the environment must be controlled and mitigated where all the possible and favorable outcomes will be encouraged. The environmental plan must cover the construction activities showing how best environmental management is put into practice. It is anticipated to be functional and is supposed to show how they are going to lessen undesirable results to the surroundings, environment and the construction community.  Consequently, it is most important also to show the enhancing beneficial impacts towards the environment. The contractor is also supposed to incorporate in this plan a statement of commitment pertaining to the environmental concerns and issues.  The construction environmental management plan should also provide an outline of the environmental management controls that will be engaged at some point in the construction. Furthermore, because everyone is included in the scope of this plan, everyone is responsible of his/her action in the construction site. Hence, environmental responsibility must be practiced and initiated in the site. The construction environmental management plan shall cover all the aspects relating to the relationship between the construction workers and the environment.

One of the most important things for anyone involved in the Australian construction industry is Construction Environmental Compliance. You certainly do not want to get on the wrong side of the law when it comes to complying with environmental legislation in Australia. A couple of months back, I wrote a blog post about environmental legislation which I think you will find useful reading (if you haven’t yet done so).

There is certainly nothing funny in adequately and properly managing the environment when doing construction projects. At the end of the day, we are the ones that are going to suffer the consequences of mismanaging the environment. And if it’s not us, it will most certainly be our children or our grandchildren. I’m quite certain that’s not a legacy that most people want to leave to future generations.

As someone who has been involved in the construction industry for a considerable amount of time, it’s always tempting to find ways (or loopholes) around Construction Environmental Compliance mainly for the objective of reducing costs and/or minimising hassle. Unfortunately, minimising hassle today only prepares society for more environmental problems in the future. It’s time we all take a stand when it comes to this issue.

How To Comply Today

If you want to successfully comply with current environmental legislation and fulfill your obligation in doing your best to manage the environment, then your best option is to create a construction environmental management plan for your project. You can do this yourself, get someone else to do it, or find a good template to use.

It doesn’t matter how you choose to create one, as long as create one to play your role in Construction Environmental Compliance.

Nowadays, more often than not, you will come across companies which have a Construction Environmental Policy. As the general population becomes more aware and sensitive around environmental issues, companies, especially those in the construction industry, want to present a ‘greener’ image to the general public. Green has become the new thing when it comes to public relations and being successful in business.

This article hopes to shed some light on what an environmental policy is and how it can be effectively used by construction companies around Australia.

More Than Just A Policy

When people think of policies, people typically think of a bunch of words and sentences put together that is no bigger than an A4 page. However, a Construction Environmental Policy is much more than the fine print. Some describe it as a declaration of a company’s commitment to environmental sustainability. The word ‘commitment’ is a big, powerful word that doesn’t simply refer to complying with Australian environmental legislation. Compliance itself is a bare minimum.

More so, it states that the company in question is prepared to take the initiative and do more than what the law states when it comes to being an environmentally responsible company. The thing is, when you do make such a bold commitment, people will be holding you accountable and will react even more negatively if you are seen to be not following through with your commitment.

A good example of a construction company that has an environmental policy is Gavin Construction. You can find their policy on the Gavin company website. You may want to base your policy on this one, especially if your company does not currently have one.

At the end of the day, image and perception play a big role in the success of your business and having a Construction Environmental Policy can only improve that image.

It’s quite likely that before commencing a new building project that you will need to carry out a Construction Environmental Evaluation. You may be wondering what I’m referring to by using such a phrase. This refers to thoroughly analysing and detailing the potential impact of all construction activities that are to take place. Current environmental legislation in Australia stipulates that the main contractor and/or company must perform such an evaluation before commencing work. Otherwise, financial penalties can apply which could be detrimental to those in charge.

Another commonly used name to describe this evaluation is an Environmental Impact Assessment or EIS. In fact, it’s likely that you’re familiar with this term more than Construction Environmental Evaluation. It’s important that you do not get confused because they both essentially refer to the same thing.

Evaluation Example

If you are not sure about how to come up with an evaluation, it would be a good idea to have a look at an example of one. Many people learn better by using examples than by going through the technical aspects of an evaluation one by one. Furthermore, it gives them a model which they can base their own one on.

This example refers to the Forests NSW Riverina project where they proposed to harvest timber for some road projects. Compared to the evaluation that you will most likely come up with, this is a very extensive one made up of 5 volumes. Nevertheless, it is still a prime example which anyone can use and learn from successfully.

The next time you plan a construction project, don’t forget to perform a Construction Environmental Evaluation before commencing.

EPA Guidelines refer to the guidelines written up by the Environment Protection Authority in your state or territory of residence. If you are an active member of the construction industry in Australia, then understanding these guidelines is important as they cover a lot of the activities that typically take place on a worksite. This short article will cover some examples of the guidelines that you will likely find in your state or territory. The best way to get access to these is by visiting the EPA website of your corresponding state or territory.

Sometimes you might hear the term Environmental Standard or standards. Don’t get confused by this as this is pretty much the equivalent of EPA Guidelines in Australia. It must not be forgotten that such environmental guidelines exist in all developed nations and now a large number of developing nations throughout the world.

Guidelines Example

The South Australian EPA website is a good example of a government site that provides information about EPA Guidelines in an easy-to-follow manner.

On their main page, all guidelines are provided in PDF format so that anyone can download them for their own convenience. In addition, they are all listed in alphabetical order making it relatively easy to find the one you want. Some of the topics covered that are likely to affect construction sites include:

• Spill management
• Construction noise
• Hazardous waste
• Site contamination
• The Environment Protection Noise Policy

Refer to the website for more topics that could impact on environmental safety. Keep on the lookout for Environmental Guidelines For Major Construction Sites if it applies to your situation. The bottom line is that such guidelines must be complied with if you wish to avoid paying large financial penalties or face prosecution.

EPA Guidelines leave absolutely no room for laziness or negligence when it comes to construction environmental management.

Before commencing work on a site, it is wise to look up the Environmental Guidelines For Major Construction Sites so that you are in compliance with current environmental legislation as well as doing your utmost to minimise the impact on the surrounding environment. Otherwise, you may be risking the possibility of getting fined thousands of dollars or facing prosecution which is certainly not what you desire.

This article will explore just some of the environmental guidelines that you need to follow when dealing with a major construction site. I must point out that these guidelines are from Victorian Environment Protection Authority (EPA) and may vary in other Australian states and territories.

Some Guidelines To Get You Started

Here are just some of the guidelines from the EPA:

• Environmental Assessment – identify which areas of the environment are likely to be affected by construction activities, in addition, assess expected noise levels, air and water quality. This can be achieved through an Environmental Impact Assessment.
• Minimising Erosion – Plan measures aimed at reducing erosion and keep vehicles to well-defined roads.
• Sediment Controls – Design and install appropriate erosion and sediment run-off control measures
• Dust Control – Plan measures to control the onset of dust
• Noise and Vibration – Determine hours of the day where noise cannot be excessive, install mufflers on noisy equipment to reduce vibration as well as reducing air vibration in general.

It’s highly recommended that you read the entire list of Environmental Guidelines For Major Construction Sites on the EPA website. If you are from another state outside Victoria, then finding corresponding information on your state or territory Government website would be advised.

Compliance Made Easy

You may be thinking that such environmental guidelines are extensive and as a result, they may be difficult to comply with. If you are researching and implementing guidelines for the first time, then it can be both challenging and annoying to comply with this. However, compliance is not an option; it is an obligation by law.

The best way to comply with both legislation and guidelines is through a Construction Environmental Management Plan which covers all that needs to be covered and puts you in a good position to commence your project. This is an option that should be considered if you do not have the time nor the resources to worry about compliance.

Read up on the Environmental Guidelines For Major Construction Sites from your state or territory before going ahead with a project.

If you are involved in the Australian construction industry, there is a good chance that you will need a Construction Environmental Plan. Nowadays, there are tough and strict legislation in place at both the federal and state level that oblige all construction contractors and/or companies to implement measures that minimise the impact of their projects on the environment. This is what is more commonly known as Sustainable Development.

Environmental Management

Managing the environment has become a hot topic in the last decade or so, and as a result, the general population in Australia, has become more environmentally-conscious. The Australian Government has responded accordingly and has over the years passed Environmental Legislation, the main one being the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. In addition, each State Government has its own legislation, which you should take a look at when creating your own Construction Environmental Plan.

Environmental Compliance

The one thing that you do not want to do is not to comply with the legislation in place. The consequences are simply not worth it. The fact that you can potentially get fined thousands of dollars for non-compliance can prove to be a knockout blow especially if you are small or medium construction contractor and/or company. In the most serious cases, you can potentially face prosecution which should be enough to send shivers down one’s spine.

There are 2 ways you can come up with your own Environmental Plan to comply with the law:

• You can write up your own plan by writing one up yourself or by paying someone else to do it for you, or
• You can use a pre-structured and pre-written Construction Environmental Management Plan which can customised to your own plan with some small tweaks

It’s ultimately up to you, but whatever you choose to do, don’t begin a project without a Construction Environmental Plan.

In developed countries, it is common to find Environmental Legislation in place in order to oblige individuals and businesses to play a central role in the management and protection of the natural environment. Australia is no different. And if you are actively involved in the construction industry, whether as a contractor, worker or business owner, then understanding such legislation and applying it is vital if you wish to avoid financial penalties or prosecution for non-compliance.

In Australia, the environment is legally managed at both the federal and state level. At the Commonwealth level, the main piece of Environmental Legislation is what is known as the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 and is administered by the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts. Below that, each state and territory has their own legislation and apply more specially to certain business activities such as construction and the awarding of licences and permits for jobs. It would wise to take a look at environmental legislation in your state or territory.

One of the most common features of any piece of Environmental Legislation is the necessity to undertake an Environmental Impact Assessment before any project can commence. The reason for this is so that everything possible can be done to reduce the impact of the project on the surrounding environment. It also fulfils humanity’s obligation and responsibility to protect the environment so that future generations can also profit from it. The best and most common way to undertake this assessment in the construction industry is through the development of a Construction Environmental Management Plan.

Environmental Legislation is one of those things that are often overlooked yet increasingly important today for business success.

One of the important issues when it comes to construction worksites is Environmental Compliance. This refers to building companies and contractors complying with current environmental legislation both on a federal and state level. The central piece of federal environmental legislation is called the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (or EPBC Act for short).

On state level, the name varies from state to state. In the state of New South Wales, the central piece of legislation governing the environment is called the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997. Refer to your state government’s website for information regarding legislation from your state.

The Importance of Environmental Compliance

You need to comply with current Environmental Legislation for 2 main reasons.

Firstly, on a legal level, non-compliance can result in serious penalties for the parties responsible. This can range from substantial fines to prosecution. Whether environmental damage was intended or unintended is irrelevant in the eyes of the law. As a result, making sure that you and/or your company comply with legislation is of utmost importance.

Secondly, on a moral level, Environmental Compliance is necessary if we are to preserve the environment for future generations. It’s no secret that human society has reached a crossroads in terms of Environmental Management. Currently, there are serious efforts being undertaken by both government and social groups in order to promote sustainable development. You can play a role in this by complying with environmental legislation.

How to Successfully Comply

There are 3 things you can do to be sure that you are complying with current legislation.

• Plan – Develop a Construction Environmental Management Plan or CEMP for short, that both complies with legislation and details all the measures your worksite will implement to prevent or minimise environmental damage.
• Training – This refers to training the people involved in your construction project how to implement environmentally friendly measures and how they can contribute to carrying out the environmental plan
• Self-assessment – Adequate Environmental Compliance relies on constantly re-evaluating the practices on your worksite to find problems and seek improvement.

If you are living in the state of New South Wales, it is highly recommended that you look at the step-by-step Guide To Developing an Environmental Management Plan on their website.

Whatever you do within the Australian construction industry, you cannot afford to ignore the importance of Environmental Compliance in the success of a construction project.