12.1
Site
inspection provides a direct means to initiate and enforce specified
environmental protection and pollution control measures. These shall 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.
12.2
The ET
Leader shall be responsible for formulating the environmental site inspection,
the deficiency and action reporting system, and for carrying out the site
inspection works. He shall 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 IEC.
12.3
Regular
site inspections shall be carried out at least once per week. The areas of inspection shall 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 shall make reference
to the following information in conducting the inspection:
· the EIA and EM&A recommendations on environmental protection and pollution control mitigation measures
· ongoing results of the EM&A programme
· works progress and programme
· individual works methodology proposals (which shall include proposal on associated pollution control measures)
· contract specifications on environmental protection
· relevant environmental protection and pollution control laws
· previous site inspection results undertaken by the ET and others
12.4
The
Contractor shall 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 shall be submitted to the IEC and the Contractor within
24 hours for reference and for taking immediate action. The Contractor shall follow the procedures
and time-frame 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.
12.5
The ET
shall 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.
Compliance with Legal and Contractual Requirements
12.6
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.
12.7
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 shall 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 B.
12.8
The ET
Leader shall 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.
12.9
The
Contractor shall regularly copy relevant documents to the ET Leader so that
works checking can be carried out. The
document shall 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 shall also be
available for the ET Leader's inspection upon his request.
12.10
After
reviewing the documentation, the ET Leader shall advise the 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 shall also
advise the Contractor accordingly.
12.11
Upon
receipt of the advice, the Contractor shall undertake immediate action to
correct the situation. The ER shall
follow up to ensure that appropriate action has been taken in order to satisfy contractual
and legal requirements.
12.12
Handling
of environmental complaints should follow the environmental complaint flow
diagram and reporting channel as presented in Figure 12.1.
12.13
During the
complaint investigation work, the Contractor and Engineer shall cooperate with
the ENPO in providing all necessary information and assistance for completion of
the investigation. If mitigation measures are identified in the investigation,
the Contractor shall promptly carry out the mitigation works. The Engineer
shall ensure that the measures have been carried out by the Contractor.