8.1.1
Site inspection provides a direct
means to initiate and enforce specified environmental protection and pollution
control measures. These should be
undertaken routinely to inspect construction activities in order to ensure that
appropriate environmental protection and pollution control mitigation measures
are properly implemented. The site
inspection is one of the most effective tools to enforce the environmental
protection requirements at the works area.
8.1.2
The ET Leader should be responsible
for formulating the environmental site inspection, the deficiency and action
reporting system, and for carrying out the site inspection works. He should submit a proposal for site
inspection and deficiency and action reporting procedures to the Contractor for
agreement, and to the ER for approval.
The ET’s proposal for rectification would be made known to the IC(E).
8.1.3
Regular site inspections should be
carried out at least once per week. The
areas of inspection should not be limited to the environmental situation,
pollution control and mitigation measures within the site; it should also
review the environmental situation outside the works area which is likely to be
affected, directly or indirectly, by the site activities. The ET Leader should make reference to the
following information in conducting the inspection:
(i)
The EIA and EM&A recommendations on environmental
protection and pollution control mitigation measures;
(ii)
Ongoing results of the EM&A programme;
(iii)
Works progress and programme;
(iv)
Individual works methodology proposals (which should include
proposal on associated pollution control measures);
(v)
Contract specifications on environmental protection;
(vi)
Relevant environmental protection and pollution control laws;
and
(vii)
Previous site inspection results undertaken by the ET and
others.
8.1.4
The Contractor should keep the ET
Leader updated with all relevant information on the construction contract
necessary for him to carry out the site inspections. Inspection results and associated recommendations for
improvements to the environmental protection and pollution control works should
be submitted to the IC(E) and the Contractor within 24 hours for reference and
for taking immediate action. The
Contractor should follow the procedures and time-frame as stipulated in the environmental
site inspection, and the deficiency and action reporting system formulated by
the ET Leader, to report on any remedial measures subsequent to the site
inspections.
8.1.5
The ET should also carry out ad hoc
site inspections if significant environmental problems are identified. Inspections may also be required subsequent
to receipt of an environmental complaint, or as part of the investigation work,
as specified in the Action Plan for environmental monitoring and audit.
8.2.1
There are contractual environmental
protection and pollution control requirements as well as environmental
protection and pollution control laws in Hong Kong with which construction
activities must comply.
8.2.2
In order that the works are in
compliance with the contractual requirements, all works method statements
submitted by the Contractor to the ER for approval should be sent to the ET
Leader for vetting to see whether sufficient environmental protection and
pollution control measures have been included.
The implementation schedule of mitigation measures is summarised in Appendix
A.
8.2.3
The ET Leader should also review the
progress and programme of the works to check that relevant environmental laws
have not been violated, and that any foreseeable potential for violating laws
can be prevented.
8.2.4
The Contractor should regularly copy
relevant documents to the ET Leader so that works checking can be carried
out. The document should at least
include the updated Works Progress Reports, updated Works Programme, any
application letters for different licence / permits under the environmental
protection laws, and copies of all valid licences / permits. The site diary should also be available for
the ET Leader's inspection upon his request.
8.2.5
After reviewing the documentation, the
ET Leader should advise the IC(E) and Contractor of any non-compliance with
contractual and legislative requirements on environmental protection and
pollution control for them to take follow-up actions. If the ET Leader's review concludes that the current status on
licence / permit application and any environmental protection and pollution
control preparation works may result in potential violation of environmental
protection and pollution control requirements, he should also advise the
Contractor and the ER accordingly.
8.2.6
Upon receipt of the advice, the
Contractor should undertake immediate action to correct the situation. The ER should follow up to ensure that
appropriate action has been taken in order to satisfy contractual and legal
requirements.
8.3.1
Complaints should be referred to the
ET Leader for action. The ET Leader
should undertake the following procedures upon receipt of any complaint:
(i) log complaint and date of receipt onto the complaint database
and inform the IC(E) immediately;
(ii)
investigate
the complaint to determine its validity, and assess whether the source of the
problem is due to works activities;
(iii)
identify
mitigation measures in consultation with the IC(E) if a complaint is valid and
due to works;
(iv)
advise
the Contractor if mitigation measures are required;
(v) review the Contractor's response to identified mitigation
measures, and the updated situation;
(vi) if the complaint is transferred from EPD, submit interim report
to EPD on status of the complaint investigation and follow-up action within the
time frame assigned by EPD;
(vii) undertake additional monitoring and audit to verify the situation
if necessary, and review that circumstances leading to the complaint do not
recur;
(viii) report investigation results and subsequent actions to complainant
(if the source of complaint is EPD, the results should be reported within the
timeframe assigned by EPD); and
(ix) record the complaint, investigation, the
subsequent actions and the results in the monthly EM&A reports.