Cems-chapter 2

Chapter 2: Construction and Environment 2.1 Construction Industry in Malaysia The construction industry translates idea of knowledge into reality and this reality is the embodiment of the built environment. Buildings and structures change the nature, function and appearance of our cities and countryside. Sustainable development in the construction industry, or also known as sustainable construction, would require the creation of buildings and infrastructure to shape communities in a way that sustains the environment, generates wealth over the long term and enhances the quality of life of people without the expense of the future generation. The economic, social and environmental benefits which can flow from a more efficient and sustainable construction industry are potentially immense. Reducing consumption materials and land, minimizing waste, using recycled materials, embracing energy efficiency and managing site operations to avoid pollution are good for business as well as the environment. Achieving long term sustainability in the construction industry requires analysis and changes to what is built, where it is built, how it is built and the operation of the built facilities.

2.2 Construction Process Construction industry is the industry that concerns construction works and that includes construction extension, installation, repair, maintenance, renewal, removal, renovation, alteration, dismantling or demolition of: a) any building, erection, edifice, structure, wall, fence or chimney, whether constructed wholly or partly or below ground level; b) any road, harbour, railway, cable way, canal or aerodrome; c) any drainage, irrigation or river control works; d) any electrical, mechanical, water gas, petrochemical or telecommunication works or; e) Any bridge, viaducts, dam, reservoir, earthworks, pipeline, aqueduct, culvert, driveshaft, tunnel or reclamation works. Table 1: Integrating environmental management considerations into the construction approval process Approval process

Environmental Management Considerations

Project Identification:

Site suitability

Consult local agencies

Feasibility Study Concept layout

Initial environmental review Identification of aspects and impacts Identification of legislature and regulations; Develop Environmental Management Plan

Project Appraisal Land use compatibility, Conservation values of area Project Master Plan

Identification of legislature and regulations; Develop Environmental Management Plan Develop environmental policy, objectives & targets Develop environmental policy, objectives & targets Incorporating environmental management plan Establish and train in Environmental Management System

Project Design

Establish and train in Environmental Management System

Project Constructions

Incorporating environmental management plan

Site investigations, Site preparation Constructions

Establish and train in Environmental Management System Monitoring environmental aspect & impacts; Mitigating measures Environmental auditing Environmental Performance Evaluation

Commissioning

Construction is not inherently environmental friendly industry and many research conducted has portrayed construction as a major contributor to environmental disruption and pollution. Construction activity is one of the major contributors to the environmental impacts, which are typically classified as air pollution, waste pollution, noise pollution and water pollution. The construction activities have a significant impact on the environmental across a broad spectrum of off-site, onsite and operational activities. Off site activities concern the mining and manufacturing of materials and components, land acquisition and project design. On site construction activities relate to the construction of a physical facility, resulting in air pollution, water pollution, traffic problems and the generation of construction wastage.

PLANNING AND ORGANISATION

Environmental Impacts of Construction Activity

Construction Planning

Work Sites

Construction Materials

Traffic Planning

Machinery

CONSTRUCTION METHODS Structures

Underground Works

Earthworks Runoff and Drainage

Environmental Mitigation

Figure 1: Planning, Organization and Methods for Sustainable Construction

2.3 Impacts of construction activities on the environment Activities in the construction industry are complex, highly dispersed and resource demanding. The industry contributes to the loss of important natural assets and imposes severe impacts and stress on the environment. Construction activities and practices that fail to control its impacts and the environment can cause damage to rivers, lakes and environmentally sensitive ecosystems, kill fish and aquatic life, upset ecological systems and wildlife habitats, and result in contamination of land and groundwater. The impact on the environment is particularly high when work is done on highland, on slopes, near

coastal areas, rivers and lakes. When construction occurs near built-up areas, poor practices may result in noise and air pollution which may cause a nuisance and affect the health of neighbouring communities.

2.3.1

Land degradation Large projects usually involve extensive land disturbance involving removing vegetation and reshaping topography. Such activities make the soil vulnerable to erosion. Soil removed by erosion may become airborne and create a dust problem or be carried by water into natural waterways and pollute them. Due to the soil erosion of the exposed and loose earth, there will be a deterioration of water quality in the surrounding water bodies due to siltation and sedimentation. Siltation and sedimentation in the water bodies can result in mud floods and flash floods in the downstream area during heavy downpour. Landslides and slope failure can occur at unstable slopes or when saturated with water during heavy rainfalls. Measures to address the impact of land disturbance on the environment should be included in the planning and design phase of the project before any land is cleared. Extent of exposure of bare surfaces to rainfall needs to be limited. Surfaces need to be covered with turfing and plastic sheets as soon as possible.

Photo 1: Example of land degradation

2.3.2

Loss of flora and fauna The biological environment includes non-human animal and plant life, the distribution and abundance of the various species and the habitats of communities. Species forming a community are often interdependent so that a direct environmental effect on one species is likely to have indirect effects on either species. Unfortunately, the loss of flora and fauna is imminent in any development. Planning is essential to ensure minimal losses during the implementation stages and steps must be taken later to ensure that the losses are

“replenished.” This is essential especially when development is within the vicinity of a mountain range, a densely forested area and catchment areas. At the Planning stage, if the environmental considerations are described in detail and allowances made for implementation during the construction stages, then, the losses would be minimised and and better protection could be put in place for the conservation of the flora and fauna.

Photo 2: Example of forest degradation and loss of flora and fauna

2.3.3

Solid wastes Solid waste can be either hazardous or non hazardous. Construction projects generally generate more non hazardous waste than hazardous wastes. Some of the types of wastes found at a typical construction site are construction waste, domestic waste and scheduled waste. Construction waste are solid inert waste which usually consists of building rubble, but may also include as demolition material, concrete, bricks, timber, plastic, glass, metals, bitumen, trees and shredded tires. Such wastes should be reused, recycled, or disposed of to an approved landfill. Disposal methods adopted depend on the nature of the material. Improper disposal can lead to the outbreak of diseases such as malaria, dengue and schistosomiasis, transmitted by mosquitoes and snails. Domestic waste can be found on construction sites which have base camps for the workers on them. Domestic wastes need to be properly disposed of to avoid the infestation of rodents, roaches and other pests. These pests bring with them vector borne diseases such as cholera and rabies. The contractor is also responsible in proper handling, storing, transporting and/or disposing of scheduled wastes. Examples of scheduled or hazardous wastes are used oil, hydraulic fluid, diesel fuel, soil contaminated with toxic or hazardous pollutants, waste paints, varnish, solvents, sealers, thinners, resins, roofing cement and more. It is the responsibility of the contractor to meet the Scheduled Waste regulations under the Environmental Quality Act 1974. The responsibility covers the proper handling, storing, transporting and disposal of these wastes.

Photo 3: Example of construction waste

2.3.4 Water pollution Water quality is important for economic, ecological, aesthetic and recreational purposes. Changes in water quality may affect water treatment costs or even deny some uses of the water. The potential for soil erosion and impacts on water quality are greatest during construction when removal of vegetation for initial clearing and grading activities exposes soil and makes it susceptible to erosion. The impacts are greatest during rainy season where extensive land clearing has been carried out.

Photo 4: Example of water pollution

2.3.5 Air pollution Activities or major concerns for air quality are the burning of waste, the emission of dust and smoke, and the emission of chemical impurities such as heavy metals, acid and other toxic bases. Principle effects are on human health, aesthetic values (sight and smell) adjacent land uses, temperature modification and humidity changes. Air quality impacts from construction include increased dust and airborne particulates caused by grading, filling, removals and other construction activities. Air quality impacts may also result from emissions from construction equipment and vehicles.

Photo 5: Example of Air Pollution

2.3.6 Depletion of resources Activities in the construction sector are complex, highly dispersed and resource demanding. The sector contributes to the loss of important natural assets and imposes severe stress on the environment. Agricultural land is often lost through urbanization and extraction of raw materials. Forest timber is harvested for construction and building materials faster than it can replaced by planting new trees or by natural growth. Many raw materials used in construction are limited resources. For example, the reserves of some metals will be gone in less than 30 years, if the current rate of exploitation continues. The consumption of fossil fuels contributes to increased air pollution and emissions of greenhouse gases.

2.3.7 Noise and vibration Noise and vibration would be generated by various activities and equipment used in the construction project. Noise and vibration levels due to construction activities in the project area would vary depending on the types of equipment used, the location of the equipment and the operating mode. During a typical work cycle, construction equipment may be idling, preparing to perform tasks, or operating under a full load. Equipment may be congregated in a specific location or spread out over a large area. Adverse impact resulting from construction noise and vibration are expected to be limited to areas adjacent to the project and temporary in nature. The construction noise and vibration impacts would be localised near the area where construction is taking place.

Photo 7: Example of noise, vibration and air pollution

2.3.8 Land Contamination Although it may be necessary to store chemicals and fuel on project sites, this inevitably creates an environmental risk. Spills can severely pollute waterways and land. Reducing the quantities of chemicals and fuel stored on-site to minimum practicable levels is desirable.

Photo 8: Example of land contamination

2.4 Players and their roles, commitment and responsibilities The key players in any project development are the Owner, the Designer or Design Professional and the Constructor or Contractor. Other entities such as the Authorities or Regulators, subcontractors, material vendors and so forth are important supporting players in the development process, the major development of the project revolves about these three major players. Table 2 gives a list of players’ involvement at different stages of project development.

Table 2: Construction Players Main Process

Design

Procurement

Construction

Operation and maintenance

The process of translating business/social needs to knowledge products

a) b) c) d) e)

Main Players

Developer/Client Architect Engineer Quantity surveyor Regulatory authorities

a) Developer/client b) Architect c) Engineer d) Quantity Surveyor e) Main Contractor a) Architect b) Engineer c) Quantity Surveyor d) Regulatory authorities The process of transforming the e) Project Manager k-product to a built environment f) Main Contractor g) Skilled and unskilled workers h) Suppliers i) Plant operators j) Financiers Developer/Client The process of utilizing the built Management Corporation environment to meet the business Regulatory Authorities /social needs Consensus The process of securing the best process for transforming the kproduct to built environment