Understanding and Combatting Pollution On-Site
Pollution comes in three main forms: air, water and noise. In this blog we will go into detail about each of these three major threats and how to prevent their serious consequences.
But why is combatting pollution so important? Pollution has a significant environment and social impact, along with increasing harm to human health and well-being. In 2015, the Paris Agreement was established as an international treaty to combat climate change, all 197 countries have joined together to reduce carbon emmisions by 43% by 2030.
Additionally, ensuring the health and wellbeing of employees is a legal requirement in the construction industry as outlined in legislation.gov.uk. This blog will examine the direct affect pollution can have on your employees, and provide actionable steps to minimise the risks.
Lets have a look!
Air Pollution
The world health organisation defines air pollution as the contamination of the environment by any chemical, physical or biological agent that modifies the natural characteristics of the atmosphere, and is closely linked to the earth climate and eco-system globally.
It is estimated that air pollution kills 7 million people annually and the building/ construction sector are an essential contributor, the manufacturing of concrete, steel and aluminium alone are responsible for 23% of global emmisions. Infact, the typical carbon footprint of cement is about 50% CO2 per kilogram of cement. In 2022, 1.6 billion metric tonnes of CO2 were produced globally.
Employees exposed to air pollution are susceptible to serious health conditions, including asthma, strokes or respiratory diseases like lung cancer, all of which can have long lasting effects on their overall health and quality of life.
Beyond human health, air pollution can also disrupt ecosystems, making it harder to plants and animals to thrive. This can cause a negative domino effect on biodiversity and the food chain.
What Can You Do?
Air pollution can often be overlooked, mainly due to the dust being classified as PM10, making it invisible to the naked eye, however the impacts can be dire.
Sustainability and the prevention of pollution on construction sites can be hard. In the past, equipment, transportation and machinery have been developed with the relentless focus on efficiency and speed. However, with small changes to routine and better awareness, you can contribute to big change. Here's how to start:
- Using more enviromentally efficient transportation methods.
- Segregating and covering lorries when carrying loads to prevent debris/dust spreading and and spills on/off site.
- Using recyclable materials to reduce manufacturing emmisions and costs.
- Spraying water or using sprinklers to prevent some types of dust spreading in the air.
Water Pollution
Water pollution is the contamination of water bodies, with a negative impact on their uses - usually as a result of human activity. Sources of water pollution vary, but construction materials such as diesel, oil, cement, glues and other toxic chemicals are significant contributors. Infact, the construction sector has the most water pollution incidents compared to any other industry - despite its work being firmly on land!
Water pollution occurs faster and more discreetly than you might think. Particles and toxic chemicals can soak into the groundwater, making it a lot harder to treat, before being recycled into drinking water - increasing the risk of contamination. Furthermore, surface water run off can cause carry pollutants, poisoning wildlife and the animals that drink from the water, once again damaging the eco-system and having a knock-on effect on biodiversity as we know it.
What can you do?
It is an offence to cause or knowingly permit a water pollution discharge activity. With this in mind, do you want to risk harm to your company, peers and environment knowing the long term effects?
To help prevent water pollution in the future, heres a few key ideas:
- Implementing waste management plans and establishing clear containment procedures.
- Drainage and Sediment controls.
We stock a variety of filters, including GreenRhino's filters and Enviro-Pads, the only spill pad that locks in pollutants. - Use eco-friendly materials to limit harmful chemicals on-site.
- Implement silt fences around the site as a temporary sediment barrier.
Noise Pollution
Noise/sound pollution is the propagation of noise with potential harmful effects on humans and animals, mainly caused by machines and transport. The construction sector is behind thousands of noise complaints annually, direclty affecting workers, residents and wildlife more than we know.
Employees working directly on the site can be saddled with tinnitus, ear pain and partial or total loss of hearing, all within the near future. This will not only affect their productivity and comfortability in their career, but a long term affect on their health and wellbeing.
For residence local to the area, they can suffer with increased stress, high blood pressure, sleep disturbance and difficulty concentrating at work or during their own tasks. Not only does this promote a bad quality of life, but a bad name against the hard working construction community.
Furthermore, like any other type of pollution, noise can directly impact the enviroment and local ecosystems. It can disturb plants and animals natual cycles, shrink habitats, or even force wildlife to flee.
What can you do?
Of course, we can't elimate noise, its deeply rooted in human nature. However, there are preventative steps we can take to preserve the safety and comfort of our employees, residents and wildlife.
- Green construction practices such as quieter tools/machines to ensure a healthy level of noise.
- Schedueling work during sociable hours, this will implement a friendlier approach and better relationship with residents in the area.
- Noise reducing panels
Find these via our page, we supply heavy duty panels with high acoustic performance. - Energy conserving approach towards machinery, making sure noise is reduced when not in use.
- The correct PPE at all times.
We stock a large variety of top of the range ear protection/defenders to keep your employees healthy.
