Preventing pollution from concreting operations
Run-off from concreting operations has the potential to cause pollution if allowed to enter the stormwater system. It can block stormwater drains, pollute waterways, and have a major impact on water quality, aquatic plants and animals. Appropriate steps must be taken to control concrete run-off.
Who is responsible?
Everyone in the delivery and construction chain is responsible for ensuring concrete run-off does not pollute.
The builder/site manager must ensure that adequate sediment control measures, including a designated wash-down area, are in place before work starts and during construction. The builder/site manager must ensure all workers on the site are aware of their obligation to minimise pollution.
The concreter must ensure appropriately sized bunds and slurry pits are in place during the concrete laying and afterwards during cleaning up of the site and equipment.
The concrete provider must ensure appropriate training and resources are provided to their agitator truck drivers to enable them to complete delivery without causing pollution.
The agitator truck driver must deliver concrete to site and then return to the batch plant without causing environmental harm through spillage or leakage of concrete.
The concrete pumping contractor has a responsibility to ensure that all staff and/or subcontractors act in ways that do not cause environmental harm through spillage or leakage of concrete.
Concrete Delivery
Ensure the delivery of concrete occurs within the site if possible. If site access is restricted and delivery must occur on the street, appropriate sediment controls must be in place. The driver must raise any concerns about pollution controls with the builder/site manager. Any spillage that occurs must be cleaned up before sediment controls are removed.
The driver must also ensure sediment is not tracked off site. Mud, soil and stones are pollutants. Drivers should have knowledge of the Concrete Safe Site Delivery Guidelines available from Cement Concrete and Aggregates Australia at www.concrete.net.au under Resource Centre > CCAA Publications.
Chutes, wheelbarrows and any equipment must be rinsed in the site wash-down area. To minimise the amount of wash-down water generated, scrape excess concrete off equipment before it is washed. Do not allow equipment wash-down water to flow into the stormwater system.
Vehicles should be fitted with a drum that can be used to transport excess concrete back to the depot. Chute contents should be washed into the drum, the drum sealed, and fitted securely onto the main frame of the vehicle. The waste can often be recycled back into the plant.
Concrete slurry can also be disposed of by tipping small amounts in a ditch lined with plastic or geotextile liners. When the water evaporates or soaks into the surface, the solids can be recycled.
Penalties
Under the Environmental Protection Act (1994) on the spot fines of up to $1,100 for individuals and $2,200 for corporations can be issued. Alternatively, should the matter be taken to Court, maximum penalties of up to $91,850 plus clean-up costs can apply. When an offence is committed by an employee or contractor acting under instruction from another person or corporation, each is equally but severally liable.
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