How dust sampling can save construction companies from fines?

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How dust sampling can save construction companies from fines?

Dust is an unavoidable part of construction and demolition. However, processes can be put in place to reduce the amount of dust contamination and risk to the surrounding environment. Close and real-time dust sampling plays an important role in this.

Here’s how:

Dust sampling clears a construction company from wrong doing

Dust sampling proved critical for a construction company working at a hospital in Inverness[http://www.scottishconstructionnow.com/24142/contractor-cleared-causing-dust-contamination-inverness-hospital/] recently. A number of operations at the hospital had to be postponed after dust was found in the operating theatres.

Initially it was thought the dust was coming from building work happening in the hospital but testing revealed that this was not the direct source, clearing the construction company of causing the contamination and having to pay a hefty penalty.

Dust sample testing

This case study demonstrates how important it is to have real-time monitoring of dust at construction sites, both for the assurance of the client and contractor. There are a couple of different types of monitoring available:

  • Static monitors – these can be placed almost anywhere, and can collect physical samples of airborne dust particles. This data can be used to see how much dust individual site operatives are exposed to, or be analysed to determine chemical composition of airborne particles.
  • Settleable dust sampling – static samplers collect airborne dust and measure how much has gathered over a time period. Samples can also be analysed to determine their chemical composition.

At Environchem we have decades of experience in providing both types of dust sampling and monitoring to contractors. For information on our services please fill out the contact form below or call us on 01329 287 777.

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Metal content analysis for landfill acceptance

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Metal content analysis for landfill acceptance

Recently at Envirochem we have noticed that more and more landfills are requesting additional testing along with the normal Landfill Waste Acceptance Criteria test (WAC test or Leachate test). Typically these include: metal content of air dried sample, speciated TPHs (total petroleum hydrocarbons, either as banded or aliphatic/aromatic split) and speciated PAHs (polyaromatic hydrocarbons).

Envirochem laboratories offer these services to their clients; therefore, we would advise contacting the landfill site or waste receiver to check if the additional analysis is required to save you time. We will always retain samples for a period of time and can carry out additional testing at short notice.

If you would like to contact Envirochem regarding our services please fill out the attached form or call us on 01329 287777

 

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Landfill Waste Acceptance Criteria (WAC).

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At Envirochem, we have been experiencing an increase in requests for soil and waste samples to be analysed to ascertain whether they can be disposed of at landfill, which requires adherence to certain Landfill Waste Acceptance Criteria (WAC).

The Landfill Directive is an EU directive which is designed to regulate the use of landfill sites and, most importantly, what is dumped at each site. The Landfill Directive’s overall aim is “to prevent or reduce as far as possible negative effects on the environment, in particular the pollution of surface water, groundwater, soil and air, and on the global environment, including the greenhouse effect, as well as any resulting risk to human health, from the land filling of waste, during the whole life-cycle of the landfill”. For a landfill site to adhere to this directive, waste to be dumped at the site must have a certificate showing that it is not too contaminated. An example of a certificate would be a WAC certificate. Please note that some landfill sites require additional testing to a standard WAC suite, such as a digest for metals.

In addition to the Landfill Waste Acceptance Criteria test (WAC test or Leachate test), there are guidances, such as the WM3 guidance, to help in the classification process of hazardous waste and to inform individuals what analysis they will require.

The requirement for WAC testing can depend on a number of different factors such as sample type, location and history of the site; therefore it is common for different samples to have a slightly different scheme of analysis. Because of this, Envirochem offers a wide range of soil and waste tests which include, but are not limited to, metals content; anions; speciated TPH and PAH; BTEX; PCBs; and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which allows us to provide a bespoke scheme of analysis to meet the needs of clients from a vast range of industries.

 

We can do WAC testing on a turnaround of 7 days, 5 days or 3 days depending on your needs. (Cost apply faster turnarounds).

 

For more information please fill out the form or call us on 01329 287 777;

 

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Air Quality

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A documentary was recently aired on the BBC regarding air quality in urban areas.  The aim of the program was to reduce air pollution levels on one day on a highly polluted street in Birmingham. This was completed through a number of initiatives from reducing car usage and even the implementation of green infrastructure.

To test these changes a number of air quality measurements were taken before and during this event showing some brilliant results.

We have been undertaking some sampling to assess the air quality in a house next to a busy road to see how often and by how much limits are being exceeded. This primarily requires the monitoring of particulate matter (PM) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) that are some of the most harmful pollutants and linked to the use of diesel cars. This is an area where more work and monitoring is required with 40,000 deaths link to poor air quality in the UK each year.

 

Watch the program here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b09m2djj

 

For information on our services please fill out the form below or call us on 01329 287 777

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Construction sites contributing towards air pollution in cities

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Construction sites contributing towards air pollution in cities

It is now well understood and recognised that vehicles are a major source of air pollution in our cities. Diesels are identified as the biggest culprits with emissions of NOx (nitrogen oxides) and PM (particulate matter). The poor air quality in the UK is linked to 40,000 deaths every year.

However, recent and detailed air quality studies in the UK have identified that constructions sites are responsible for a significant portion of the total air pollution. They make up 7.5% of NOx emissions, 8% of PM10 and 14.5% of PM2.5 which is the most harmful.

This article suggests that construction sites should start treating emissions in a similar way to asbestos with tighter controls and regulation.

Read more about it here: https://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/2017/apr/20/air-pollution-construction-industry-cities-diesel-emissions-london

 

 

Envirochem offer a range of air quality surveys, for more information please call on 01329 287 777 or fill out the form below;

 

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New case of Legionnaires Outbreak

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Legionnaires’ disease is a potentially fatal form of pneumonia and everyone is susceptible to infection. The risk increases with age but some people are at higher risk including:

  • People over 45 years of age
  • Smokers and heavy drinkers
  • People suffering from chronic respiratory or kidney disease
  • Diabetes, lung and heart disease
  • Anyone with an impaired immune system

Here is a recent tragic article regarding a new Legionnaires outbreak;

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-135034/Man-dies-new-Legionnaires-outbreak.html

 

If conditions are favourable, the bacteria may grow increasing the risks of Legionnaires’ disease and it is therefore important to control the risks by introducing appropriate measures outlined in Legionnaires’ disease – The Control of Legionella bacteria in water systems (L8)

 

For more information on legionella risk assessments and UKAS accredited legionella tests please call us on 01329 287 777 or fill out the form below;

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‘Air Change per hour’

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‘Air changes per hour’ is the number of times the air is replaced in a defined space each hour. The number of these air changes that are required for a specific space is defined by its use. For example, the HSE guidance note EH22 ‘ventilation of the workplace’ requires 8 air changes per hour with a minimum requirement of 3 air changes per hour.

Guidance also recommends an air supply of 8 litres/second per person for open plan offices and a minimum of 5 litres/second per person for air conditioned spaces.

The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992, regulation 5 requires that ventilation systems are appropriately maintained in an efficient state and working order. Regulation 6 requires that you ensure effective ventilation for any enclosed workplace by providing a sufficient quantity of fresh air.

We can combine an air change test within a full air quality survey for work spaces to include particulate monitoring, bio-aerosols and VOC’s as well.

 

For more information please call on 01329287777 or fill out the form below;

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Asbestos exposure while on dusty building sites

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A pensioner, civil engineer from Lyndhurst has died due to exposure to asbestos on dusty building sites while working on various sites between 1971 and 1990.

He died on December 19th 2017 and the senior Cornoner Grahame Short has said the Man died as a result of his exposure to asbestos over the years and the death has been recorded as death by Industrial disease.

For more information on this story please click here

UK Emissions Interactive Map

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UK Emissions Interactive Map

Check out this interactive emissions map. You can check out what emissions are likely to be high in your area from a variety of different pollutants from NOX, PM and a variety of others.

We are capable of sampling or monitoring most of these emissions, so if you are worried that you are being exposed to high levels of pollution or you need to check that the emissions you are releasing are within the limits contact us.

Check out the interactive map here: http://naei.beis.gov.uk/data/gis-mapping

 

For information on all our services please call on 01329 287 777 or fill out the form below;

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Statistics from the latest HSE report on health and safety at work

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Statistics from the latest HSE report on health and safety at work

Health and safety in the workplace is generally improving, however many statistics are remaining the same and still far too high. Poor occupational hygiene practice can result in the cost of work related ill health which it itself has a financial cost. It is down to both employers and employees to work together to reduce these impacts.

Here are some of the key statistics from the report:

  • 3 million working people are suffering from a work-related illness
  • 7 million working days were lost due to work-related ill health (2016/17)
  • 13,000 deaths each year are estimated to be linked to past exposures at work, primarily chemicals or dust
  • 2,542 mesothelioma deaths are due to past exposure to asbestos.
  • £14.9 billion is the estimated cost of injuries and ill health, due to current working conditions

Read more about these statistics and trends here: http://www.bohs.org/latest-health-safety-statistics-encouraging-cost-work-related-ill-health-still-high/

 

For any enquires of our Occupation hygiene services please call on 01329 287 777 or fill out the form below;

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