12                  Environmental auditing

 

Site Inspection

 

12.1             Site inspection provides a direct means to trigger and enforce specified environmental protection and pollution control measures.  These should be undertaken regularly to ensure that appropriate environmental protection and pollution control mitigation measures are properly implemented for the activities associated with the Project.  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 should be responsible for formulating the environmental site inspection, the deficiency and remedial action reporting system, and for carrying out the site inspections.   The proposal for rectification, if any, should be prepared and submitted to the ETL and IEC by the Contractor.

 

12.3             Regular site inspections should be carried out at least once per week. The areas of inspection should not be limited to the environmental conditions and the pollution control and mitigation measures within the works area, it should also review the environmental conditions of locations that are beyond the boundary of the works area but are likely to be affected directly or indirectly by the site activities.  The ET should 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 should include proposal on associated pollution control measures);

§          Contract specifications on environmental protection and pollution prevention control;

§          Relevant environmental protection and pollution control laws; and

§          Previous site inspection results undertaken by the ET and others.

 

12.4             The Contractor should keep the ET Leader updated with all relevant information on the construction contract necessary for him/her to carry out the site inspections.  Inspection results and associated recommendations for improvements to the environmental protection and pollution control efforts should be submitted to the IEC and the Contractor within 24 hours for reference and for taking immediate remedial action.  The Contractor should follow the procedures and time-frame stipulated in the environmental site inspection, and the deficiency and remedial action reporting system to be formulated by the ET Leader, to report on any remedial measures subsequent to the site inspections.

 

12.5             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 Event and Action Plan for environmental monitoring and audit.

 

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             To ensure 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 summarized in Appendix A.

 

12.8             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.

 

 

 

12.9             The Contractor should regularly copy relevant documents to the ET Leader so that works checking could be carried out effectively.  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/her request.

 

12.10          After reviewing the documentation, the ET Leader should 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/she should also advise the Contractor accordingly.

 

12.11          Upon receipt of the advice, the Contractor should undertake immediate action to remedy the situation.  The ER should follow up to ensure that appropriate action has been taken in order to satisfy contractual and legal requirements

 

Environmental Complaints

 

12.12          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 ER and IEC 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 IEC if a complaint is valid and due to the works of the Project;

iv.     Advise the Contractor if mitigation measures are required;

v.      Review the Contractor's response to identified mitigation measures, and the updated situation;

vi.     Undertake additional monitoring and audit to verify the situation if necessary, and review that circumstances leading to the complaint do not recur;

vii.   If the complaint is referred by EPD, submit interim report to EPD on the status of the complaint investigation and follow-up action within the time frame assigned by EPD; and

viii.  Record the complaint, investigation, the subsequent actions and the results in the monthly EM&A reports.

 

12.13          During the complaint investigation work, the Contractor and ER should cooperate with the ET Leader in providing all the necessary information and assistance for completion of the investigation.  If mitigation measures are identified in the investigation, the Contractor should promptly carry out the mitigation.  The ER should ensure that the measures have been carried out by the Contractor.  A flow chart of the complaint response procedures is shown in Appendix D.