Environmental management in construction - SSP

Duration

Minimum 7.5 learning hours (e-learning)

Purpose/scope

Purpose: On completion of this standard the delegate will gain a comprehensive introduction to environmental issues on construction sites.

Scope:

• sustainable construction and the environment
• environmental management systems
• energy management
• archaeology and heritage
• ecology and biodiversity
• statutory nuisance
• water protection and management
• resource efficiency
• soil management and contamination control
• waste management

Occupational relevance

Training delivered against this standard would be relevant to the following occupational group(s):

• management and leadership

Delegate pre-requisites

There are no delegate pre-requisites as part of this standard. However, a basic knowledge of environmental issues, terminology and procedures would be beneficial. A course developed from the standard Environmental supervision in construction may be beneficial.

Instruction/ supervision

As a minimum, course instructors must be able to demonstrate that, in relation to this standard, they have:

• a train the trainer or instructional techniques course certificate
• successfully completed training to this standard
• at least 2 years relevant industrial experience
• a verifiable CV

Delivery

Delivery may be in an on or off the job environment.

All delegate materials must be of a suitable quality for candidates to achieve learning outcomes and must be delivered on a reliable delivery platform.

The class size and delegate/instructor ratio must allow training to be delivered in a safe manner and enable delegates to achieve the learning outcomes.
The following delivery method may be used in the delivery of this standard:

• classroom
• a blend of classroom and e-learning
• e-learning
• courses mapped to this standard can be delivered remotely as there are not any practical activities

This standard is considered to contain 51% or more theoretical learning.

Assessment

For the successful completion of training, delegates must complete an end of course practical assessment or knowledge test that measures the learning outcomes and has a pass or fail criteria.

Quality assurance

SSP approved

Renewal

Recommended renewal

Approval date

March 2019

Review cycle 

On request or 3 year(s) from approval date

Learning outcomes

The delegate will be able to: 

• Describe sustainable development and the environment, the UK Governments strategy and priorities and the role the construction industry plays in achieving these priorities.
  
  
• Identify stakeholders and regulators in a construction activity and give examples of their involvement or interaction during a construction project.
  
  
• Describe the most common construction sustainability assessment tools and the categories of performance.
  
  
• Describe the benefits of the Environmental Management System (EMS) in relation to efficiency targets and protection of the environment.
  
  
• Outline the global issues associated with energy production and consumption, the effects on the environment and the initiatives being implemented to address these problems.
  
  
• Give examples of low carbon renewable sources for heat and electricity and governments’ financial incentive.
• Identify the building regulations, site activities and certification schemes that support energy performance and outline their importance in delivering energy efficient buildings.
  
  
• Outline why archaeology and the built heritage are important assets and why the construction process must consider archaeological factors.
  
  
• Identify elements of the heritage environment that are offered protection under legislation.
  
  
• Outline how archaeology can be considered as a hazard and the adverse effects it can have on a project.
  
  
• State the importance of wildlife management in the planning stage and identify the potential impacts construction has on plants and wildlife.
  
  
• Explain actions that promote and enhance biodiversity and avoids negative impacts from development work.
  
  
• Describe the importance of protecting wildlife, locations where wildlife may be found and the requirements of legislation covering protection.
  
  
• Outline the requirements of legislation covering tree and hedgerow protection and identify the appropriate authority.
  
  
• Identify and describe what Invasive species are and the control measures that support effective management and disposal.
  
  
• Describe what constitutes a statutory nuisance and how nuisance on site can be avoided.
  
  
• Describe the role of Local Authorities and Environment Agencies in the management of air quality.
  
  
• Describe how to manage the environmental impact of air pollution on site.
  
  
• Outline how a good transport management plan can help with the management of nuisance on site.
  
  
• Outline methods of controlling noise and vibration to minimise impact on the environment.
  
  
• Describe how to minimise the impact of light pollution on the environment
  
  
• Describe why community liaison is good for business.
  
  
• Outline the importance of taking care of water, protecting against pollution from construction activity and the regulations that support this protection.
  
  
• Outline the rules around water abstraction from mains and watercourses and the importance of monitoring.
  
  
• Explain how to manage contaminated water and outline the regulations, licencing and permitting that cover discharge to surface water and drain systems.
  
  
• Describe the general binding rules, how pollution can be identified and when a permit or exemption will be required when working near a watercourse.
  
  
• Outline information included in an incident response plan and the basic actions to respond to pollution incidents.
  
  
• State the impacts construction has on resource depletion and waste creation and the purpose of a site waste management plan and design for manufacture and assembly.
  
  
• Outline the negative issues that impact water, the benefits of monitoring water consumption and the purpose of a sustainable urban drainage system (SuDS).
  
  
• Outline what life cycle assessment is and specific stages in the life of a building that should be considered.
  
  
• Outline the policy and regulations that ensure timber is responsibly and ethically sourced.
  
  
• Describe the positive and negative impact construction has on soil and why it is important to protect it.
  
  
• Outline what constitutes contaminated land, how it can be identified and how contamination may have occurred.
  
  
• Describe how to manage contaminated land and identify guidance, licensing and permitting that supports the treatment.
  
  
• Identify sites that may contain unexpected contaminants and the actions to take when excavating in these areas.
  
  
• Explain waste, how it can be managed and how to minimise the creation of waste on site.
  
  
• Outline the process, information requirements and benefits of implementing a Site Waste Management Plan.
  
  
• Identify the different categories and classes of waste and the legislation governing waste in the UK.
  
  
• Outline the duty of care, the specific roles that have responsibilities and the regulations that cover waste.
• Identify the regulations and control measures that cover hazardous waste.
  
  
• Outline the purpose of using quality protocol.
  
  
• Outline the regulations and guidance covering electrical equipment.

Additional information about this standard

• Site management environmental training scheme (SMETS) eCourse (PDF, 128KB)
  
  
• CITB Construction Site Safety, Book E: Environment
  
  
• Good Neighbour Guide: http://residentsalliancegroup.com/docs/UKCG-Good-Neighbour-Site-Guide.pdf
  
  
• Considerate Constructors Scheme: https://www.ccscheme.org.uk/ccs-ltd/code-of-considerate-practice-2/
  
  
• Law & Your Environment – The plain guide to environment law, UKELA,
  
  
• Environmental Offences – Definitive guidelines, Sentencing Council: https://www.sentencingcouncil.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/Final_Environmental_Offences_Definitive_Guideline_web1.pdf
  
  
• IEMA: https://www.iema.net/