We are committed to preventing
discharges to land from our projects and providing guidance
on the best way to deal with existing contamination.
Contaminated land can be harmful
to the environment and in some cases can be a health hazard,
but once identified it can be managed. During 2000 a Contaminated
Land Policy was introduced which was successfully
implemented during 2001.
In line with the Government’s
drive to revitalise inner cities, and particularly areas of
contaminated land, we have continued to develop a contaminated
land register of our properties and have undertaken several
desktop studies of potentially contaminated sites.
We are committed to ensuring
that we are not responsible for generating land pollution.
We have communicated the correct way to store chemicals, including
oil and diesel. For example, via Enviro, our in-house environmental
newsletter, we highlighted
the proposed changes in legislation* which
will strengthen the controls necessary to ensure the correct
storage of diesel on sites. We also produce guidance notices
on many issues, including prevention of spillage.
*The December version of Enviro is also available.
Once the Control of Pollution
(Oil Storage) (England) Regulations 2001 SI2001/2954 come
into force on 1st March 2002 the guidance relating to oil
storage will be reviewed and where appropriately updated.
Our contracts apply best practice
where ever possible. For example, Centrac is now using biodegradable
oil to limit the impact of a spillage and have initiated a
programme of machinery improvement to prevent the likelihood
of a spill.
In addition, we are often
required to deal with land which is already contaminated.
For example, the Nottingham Express Transit project identified
6 hectares of contaminated land. The contamination included
cyanide and other harmful compounds, resulting in health,
safety and environmental implications.
The project notified the local
community within the surrounding areas and the site was fenced
off with 2 metre high fences and appropriate warning signage.
Approximately 2,400 tonnes of
contaminated materials were removed and sent for appropriate
disposal. In order to ensure that the disposal of toxic waste
met legislative requirements, Carillion staff followed the
transportation vehicles to the final disposal point on several
occasions.
