Environmental management in construction - SSP
Overview
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/
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