5 Ways To Prevent Pollution While Working On Construction Site

Global pollution from construction includes noise pollution, for which hundreds of complaints are received each year, air pollution since the industry is responsible for a great deal of all particle emissions in the atmosphere, and water contamination, for which construction is responsible for more occurrences than any other industry.

However, with the ongoing development of new materials, techniques, and processes, several approaches are to decrease construction pollution while enhancing construction efficiency and productivity.

Gas & Oil Spill Containment Berms

We all know that oil and gas spills are a huge problem all over the globe. To fight that, many construction sites utilize temporary containment dikes. A dike, also known as a containment berm, is a moat-like barrier created around a storage tank that is intended to hold the whole contents of the container if it spills.

These dikes and berms can be built to fit any size storage tank. They are available in normal tank volume sizes or could be swiftly manufactured to meet the capacity of any size tank. A berm around a storage tank prevents discharge from flowing beyond the spill barrier. If the dike is constructed to the appropriate volume level, it will securely confine the complete volume of the stored fluid. This reflects a company’s commitment to using an aggressive containment strategy. It is necessary to contain any unintentional spills or tank leaks. The SPCC rules apply to established storage tanks as well as temporary tanks on building sites, among other things. Back-up containment systems should be in place for any stored gasoline tank.

Make Use Of Data Intelligence

With on-site connection now available, it is easier than ever to apply data intelligence to decrease construction emissions while enhancing productivity and efficiency. Real-time updates eventually reduce risk and error by reducing bottlenecks and decreasing the need for frequent site visits, all of which lead to a decrease in emissions.

Sensors on machines would also aid in reducing particle emissions, as well as noise and, perhaps, light pollution. By ensuring that all site machinery is optimized in terms of trip routes and enhanced workflow, the need for machinery to run idle while not in use is eliminated, enhancing construction efficiency, reducing air pollution, and lowering costs, especially when combined with vehicle diagnostics.

Make Environmentally Friendly Material Selections

The selection of building materials has the ability to considerably minimize construction-related air and dust pollution, as well as sediment pollution control. Reduced usage of steel and cement, in particular, would have a significant influence on total emissions, given that minerals in cement account for 32% of all emissions from resource use. Alternatives include ethically and sustainably forested lumber, bamboo, cork, and sheep’s wool insulation.

Reusing materials and components, notably steel, recovered wood, and metal, would be a longer-term option. Concrete and cement have some of the highest emission rates in the building industry; however, there are emerging ‘greener’ options, such as carbon-injected concrete or MOC (magnesium oxychloride cement). These eco-friendly options are the result of ongoing research and development.

Improve Current Building Use

60% of consumer emissions are related to the manufacture and supply of building materials, and scientists predict that emissions from building construction alone will grow by 37%. When these astonishing figures are combined with the reduction in high street footfall and the need for office space, there is a tremendous opportunity.

Repurposing old buildings would eliminate pollution from both the physical building and the infrastructure necessary to support it. Because of the eliminated process of land clearing, reusing existing structures will reduce water pollution, particularly those produced by sediment and silt, while overall growth of brownfield sites is possibly more financially profitable and positive in the local community.

Exercise Caution

While there are several opportunities to find more ecologically friendly materials and machinery, implementing new techniques may also be advantageous. Along with the use of data intelligence, which all construction sites should employ for a variety of reasons, simple on-site adjustments in habit can help to reduce water pollution, air pollution through dust reduction, and noise pollution. Water pollution is reduced by keeping as much plant cover as possible, minimizing land disturbance, and guarding and covering drains. Simply cover objects when feasible and lightly spritz with water to maintain wetness to avoid dust pollution.

Final Thoughts

A major factor in the development of a new construction technique is cost-effectiveness. This can be the difference between a company using a product and not. The need for reduction of pollution effects has been continuously increasing, which has caused several standards worldwide to be tightened in recent years. In doing so, it will likely not only decrease the pollution but also lower costs as manufacturers create devices that are less intrusive to the environment.