ECS - 11. Environmental

You are on site and you need to dispose of some waste liquid that has oil in it and you are not sure what to do with it. What should you do?

• Dispose of it in a sealed container into the site skip

• Pour it onto the ground, it will soak away

• Take it outside and set light to it

• Ask your supervisor about the correct way to deal with this waste.

Answer explanation

Ask your supervisor about the correct way to deal with this waste.

How should you get rid of hazardous/special waste?

• Put it at the bottom of any site skip

• In accordance with the correct site waste rules

• Take it home, they won’t want it on site

• Take it to the nearest local authority waste tip

Answer explanation

In accordance with the correct site waste rules

Which of the following is classed as hazardous/special waste?

• Non-asbestos Insulation

• Polythene and shrink wrap

• Empty cement bags

• Fluorescent light tubes

Answer explanation

Fluorescent light tubes are classed as hazardous/special waste due to the presence of mercury and other toxic materials.

Which of the following should be disposed of as hazardous/special waste?

• Timber, plywood and MDF off-cuts

• Glass fibre insulation

• Aerosol sealant canisters

• Used nuisance dust masks

Answer explanation

Aerosol sealant canisters should be disposed of as hazardous/special waste due to their contents and pressurized nature.

You need to clean up some oil that has leaked from machinery onto the ground. What is the right way to do this?

• Put the oily contaminated soil into the general waste skip

• Put the oily contaminated soil into a suitable container that takes hazardous waste

• Put it under some off-cuts so that the oil cannot be seen

• Wash the oil away with water and detergent

Answer explanation

Put the oily contaminated soil into a suitable container that takes hazardous waste is the right way to clean up oil leakage from machinery.

Other site workers are complaining that you are generating too much dust. What should you do?

• Tell them you have nearly finished

• Stop work and inform your supervisor

• Ignore them – it’s none of their business

• Issue the other site workers with dust masks

Answer explanation

Stop work and inform your supervisor is the correct choice to address the issue of generating too much dust on site.

Who needs to understand relevant environmental risks on a construction site?

• Only the principal contractor

• Only the subcontractors

• Everyone working on the site

• Only the environmental clerk of works

Answer explanation

Everyone working on the site needs to understand relevant environmental risks on a construction site to ensure safety and compliance.

Under environmental law, which statement is true?

• Companies and individuals can be prosecuted if they do not follow the law

• Companies can be prosecuted, but not individuals

• It is legal to transport business waste without proper paperwork

• It is legal to disturb protected species’ habitats

Answer explanation

Companies and individuals can be prosecuted if they do not follow the law

Do individuals have any responsibility for sustainability when on site?

• No, it is dealt with by the site manager

• No, it is a matter for the Environment Agency/NIEA/SEPA

• Only on sites where there is asbestos

• Yes, on every site

Answer explanation

Yes, individuals have responsibility for sustainability on every site, emphasizing the importance of personal accountability in maintaining sustainable practices.

Which of the following is NOT best practice from a sustainability point of view?

• Saving materials, fuel, water and energy

• Looking after the people working on or near the site

• Protecting the environment

• Sending unused and waste copper cables to landfill

Answer explanation

Sending unused and waste copper cables to landfill is NOT best practice from a sustainability point of view as it contributes to environmental pollution and waste of resources.