How do you rate?

QuestionYes     No

General Information

1. Do you have a good understanding of the environmental issues affecting the design, construction

Fact sheet 2: How the laws affect you

1. Are you aware of your legal responsibilities as set out in local, State and Federal environmental laws?

2. Are you complying with the air, water and noise pollution regulations?

3. Are you storing, handling and using hazardous materials correctly according to the regolations?

Fact sheet 3: Where do you stand?

1. Does your company have an environmental policy or philosophy?

2. Do you know how to deal with work place environmental mishaps such as damage to environmental controls or vegetation; or a liquid spill (e.g. fuel, oil, pesticides or herbicides)?

3. Do new staff receive formal training on environmental best practice and health and safety (and other) requirements?

4. Do you understand the principles of ecologically sustainable development, and try to implement them?

Fact sheet 4: Planning the job site

1. Do you have an Environmental Management Plan in place for your site?

2. Have you protected all existing vegetation and waterways, both on your site or adjacent to it?

3. Have you organised the site access and limited vehicle movement within the site?

4. Are your neighbours and the local council happy (i.e. no complaints) about the activities on your site?

Fact sheet 5: Choosing the right plants

1. Do the plants used on site protect wildlife habitats by providing a diversity of native plants?

2. Are weeds on the site managed/controlled effectively?

3. Is the planting list free of all environmental weeds?

Fact sheet 6: Choosing and using materials

1. Will your materials blend into the environment?

2. Are materials being used and ordered sensibly to avoid waste?

3. Is preference being given to recycled materials and every effort being made to reuse materials on the site?

4. Are materials stored on site in a proper manner and enclosed with sediment fences and tarpaolins etc. where necessary?

Fact sheet 7: Using water wisely

1. Does the site design help to minimise runoff?

2. Is wastewater from construction works (e.g. brick saw) prevented from leaving the site?

3. Are fertilisers used appropriately and their selection and amount based upon local soil/plant needs?

4. Is on-site irrigation done efficiently and any installed irrigation system regolarly monitored for application rates and water uniformity?

5. Are wash down areas for any equipment able to contain runoff adequately?

Fact sheet 8: Controlling erosion and sediment

1. Do you have an erosion and sediment control plan in place and is someone on the site responsible for maintaining sediment controls?

2. Are erosion and sediment controls checked immediately after rainfall?

3. Are site materials stored well away from sensitive areas such as drainage lines?

Fact sheet 9: Getting smart about waste

1. Do you have a waste management plan in place?

2. Is green waste molched and used appropriately rather than being sent to landfill?

3. Are waste materials kept separate for easier reuse and recycling?

Fact sheet 10: Using and storing chemicals

1. Are chemicals stored in a locked, fire-resistant and well-ventilated enclosure?

2. Are clearly written instructions on chemical mixing and handling procedures displayed in this enclosure?

3. Are the storage/mixing areas able to contain any spillages?

4. Are all people who mix and apply pesticides appropriately trained?

5. Have all people who intend to use a pesticide read the instructions on the label of that pesticide?

6. Do you keep detailed records of all pesticide applications, as required by law?

Fact sheet 11: Keeping the air clean

1. Have you fitted dust catchers to all your plant and equipment and covered loose stockpiles of materials with dust covers?

2. Are you avoiding spraying chemicals in windy conditions?

Fact sheet 12: Controlling noise

1. Do you operate machinery before 7am or after 5.30pm on weekdays or after 12 noon on Saturdays?

2. Are all the motors in your tools and equipment in good running order and fitted with properly installed mufflers?

3. Are you and your staff using proper noise protection earmuffs in accordance with WorkCover regolations?