ENVIRONMENTAL PRINCIPLES

4.1 ENVIRONMENTAL POLUTION

4.1.1 DEFINITION FOR “ENVIRONMENTAL POLUTION”:

The contamination of air, water, or soil by substances that are harmful to living organisms. Pollution can occur naturally, for example through volcanic eruptions, or as the result of human activities, such as the spilling of oil, tar, caustic chemicals, or disposal of industrial waste.

Continuous noise that is loud enough to be annoying or physically harmful is known as noise pollution.

4.2  ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN (EMP):

It is a plan or programme that seeks to;

• achieve a required “end state” and
  • describes how activities, that have or could have an adverse impact on the environment, will be

mitigated, controlled, and monitored.

The Environmental Management Plan will address the environmental impacts, prevention of adverse impacts and, where they cannot be prevented, are kept to a minimum and rehabilitated during the design, construction and operational phases of a project.

Due regard must be given to environmental protection during the entire project.

In order to achieve this a number of environmental specifications/recommendations are made. These are aimed at ensuring that the contractor maintains adequate control over the project in order to:

• Minimise the extent of impact during construction.
• Ensure appropriate restoration of areas affected by construction.
• Prevent long term environmental degradation.

4.2.1. RISK OF SUBSTANCES

Manufacturers, designers, importers, sellers, users and suppliers of any substances must ensure that:

• such substances are safe and without risk to health when it is used properly
• information is available on the –
  • use of the substance at work
  • health and safety risk associated with the substance
  • conditions that are necessary to ensure that the substance will be safe and without risk to health when properly used
  • procedures in case of an accident.

4.3 ENVIRONMENTAL OFFICER (EO)

The Contractor shall appoint, at his / her own cost, an Environmental Officer (EO) or Site Agent to ensure

that the Construction EMP is implemented and ensure that all environmental specifications and

Construction EMP requirements are met at all times. For the purposes of this document the term “EO” (Environmental Officer) will be used interchangeably with Site Agent.

4.4 SCRAP REMOVAL AND WASTE CONTROL

The regular collection, grading and sorting of scrap contribute to good housekeeping practices. It also makes it possible to separate materials that can be recycled from those going to waste disposal facilities.

Allowing material to build up on the floor wastes time and energy since additional time is required for cleaning it up. Placing scrap containers near where the waste is produced encourages orderly waste disposal and makes collection easier. All waste receptacles should be clearly labelled (e.g., recyclable glass, plastic, scrap metal, etc.).

Scrap material should never be mixed with good usable material.

Scrap should regularly be removed from site and overflow should be avoided.

The disposal of hazardous chemicals/products should receive special attention by the Contractor.  He/she must ensure that non of these products are released into the natural environment.  Special precautions should be taken to dispose of such products according to legal requirements.

The greatest damage is done to surrounding wildlife (ecosystems in direct contact). And typically indirect ecosystems are involved when the toxins are carried and dispersed by any combination of wind, ground seepage or water .