Environmental Policy

R&B Mechanical & Electrical Ltd in its role as a construction company acknowledges that the Company and its activities have a significant impact on the environment. We have identified the key areas as energy, water, waste, transport, hazardous materials, business operations, biodiversity and health. We aim to protect and improve the environment by an in depth analysis, identification and measurement of these environmental aspects and impacts and to set targets to reduce them.

We are committed to reducing our waste and are working hard to adopt and implement standards in good practice to prevent, reduce and recycle the materials used during our operations.

Our Commitment is to:

• Identify, meet or exceed the environmental legislation, standards and codes of practice that relate to the Company’s activities
• Continuously improve our environmental performance and integrate environmental best practice into our business operations
• Reduce our consumption of resources and improve the efficient use of those resources
• Assess, measure, record and take action to reduce the carbon footprint of our business activities
• Manage waste generated from our business operations according to the principles of reduction, re-use and recycling
• Continue to improve our environmental performance through effective communication, provision of staff training and adoption of best techniques available
• Manage our business operations to prevent pollution
• Ensure environmental, including climate change, criteria are taken into account in the procurement of goods and services
• Be a respectful neighbour by minimising the impact that our activities, sites and premises have on local communities
• Protect and, where feasible, enhance biodiversity on sites and premises where we hold responsibility or can influence those who do
• Seek to Influence our clients to adopt, and our designers to provide, solutions that benefit the environment
• Establish targets to measure the continuous improvement in our environmental performance.
• Set corresponding targets in procurement and work with our Supply Chain to help them achieve our targets

Managing Director

R&B Mechanical & Electrical Ltd

To meet our commitments, we will:

• Use only timber certified as being from sustainable forests
• Use recycled waste and demolition products where possible and use waste management contractors who have similar environmental policies as ours
• Use recycled aggregates where practical
• Regular service our portable machinery appliances to control pollution
• Reduce and replace the use of ‘toxic chemicals’ with ‘green’ replacements where possible
• Use CFC free products.
• Regularly maintain and service our vehicles to ensure emissions are kept as low as possible
• Maximise delivery of materials and reduce return trips made by empty vehicles.
• Identify our waste streams and reduce material wastage by carefully planning recycling, reusing and selective ordering
• Make lighting and power energy savings both at depot and on site
• Use peat alternatives in landscaping and ensure that mature trees are retained, wherever possible, on site
• Implement office recycling
• Minimise the need to travel but, where travel is unavoidable, use modern and efficient modes of transport
• Establish, measure and monitor key objectives and targets annually
• Apply the following standards

STANDARDS TO PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT

Community relations

We will warn local residents and businesses about activities that are likely to take place on site to help reduce their concerns and allow for their participation in environmental issues. Our sites will have a point of contact for enquiries or complaints, to show that we are taking responsibility for our actions and are aware of the surrounding community.

In case of emergencies, we will display a 24-hour contact Number.

We will appoint a contact person who will be responsible for logging complaints and taking appropriate action.

We will endeavour to carry out all noisy works between 8am and 5pm, Monday to Friday, 9am to 1pm on Saturdays.

At any especially sensitive buildings such as residential property, hospitals, schools and businesses, we will take special measures to reduce environmental impacts such as dust and noise.

We realise that some activities can take place on site without residents being disturbed. This work may be carried out outside our standard operating hours if it does not disturb people at the nearest occupied property to where the work is taking place.

Setting up the site

No temporary structures are to be erected over utility covers and access points (such as gas, water or electricity covers) or any street gullies. All site gates to open inwards and not outwards onto the highway.

All temporary structures to be kept in a safe and well-maintained condition at all times, and must display an information board with the relevant contact details for the particular site.

Hoardings and signs re-used in accordance with our sustainability policy. A clear path 1.2m to 1.8m wide to surround structures

Nuisance

Construction works can cause unnecessary debris on the highway such as mud, spoil, concrete and dust. We will do everything we can to stop this happening, such as facilities on site for washing down vehicles and ensuring Lorries are covered when they leave the site. Mud, spoil, concrete and dust will not be washed into street gullies.

Construction traffic

We will plan vehicle movements to and from sites with all our drivers and subcontractors.

Vehicles will enter the site immediately and leave the site in a safe and controlled manner. The area around the site or any road will not to be used as a “holding” area for deliveries. No employees or subcontractors to cause a nuisance by parking or blocking the highway or neighboring roads etc.

Air pollution and dust

Identify construction activities likely to cause pollution problems along with methods to minimise them. Environmental risk assessments to be carried out if necessary.

We will specify and select low emission materials and fuel.

Use damping down sprays in dry weather, use wheel washers and regularly sweep around the site.

Use screening and hoardings. Cover skips and loaded Lorries.

Use rubble chutes and handle materials carefully to avoid dust.

We will use the most modern and least polluting mechanical and electrical plant wherever possible.

Maintain plant engines and exhaust systems.

Site plant exhausts sited to avoid public areas and air outlets on adjoining buildings.

Materials handling, storage, stockpiles, spillage and disposal   

Use silo or covered storage for cement and other powdered materials. Use sheeting for friable boards and building blocks.

Use bunded areas (secure and impervious areas) for diesel fuel or chemicals. Undertake regular site inspections for spillage of cement and other powders.

Cut materials for building off site whenever possible.

Use cutting and drilling plant with water sprays or dust extraction/collection wherever possible.

Install screens round cutting areas and use water sprays near public areas.

Use shears and guillotines where possible to replace disc cutters used on re-bar etc. Carefully site tar burners and asphalt burners, control their temperature and make sure the boiler lid stays in place whenever it is used.

Not allow bonfires on site for any purpose.

All equipment will be properly maintained and switched off when not in use to reduce fumes.

Not over rev equipment and vehicles when in use. Take precautions to control fumes from stored fuel oils.

Carry out regular monitoring where there is evidence of fumes and dust becoming airborne. Have contingency plans in place in cases of accidental release. 

Waste disposal and the “duty of care”

All materials disposed of to an appropriately licensed waste management company.

Our Company has a waste transfer certificate and carries waste according to the Environmental Waste procedures.

Asbestos

Risk assessments are carried out to consider the presence of asbestos and the associated level of risk, together with the development of safe working practices. Our Policy is not to touch Asbestos but use a licensed asbestos-removal contractor.

STANDARDS TO PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT: THE SITE

Active Site Management

The environmental impacts of construction work will be considered as early as possible in the project, and from this a site waste management plan will be produced. Where potential adverse impacts are identified, measures to offset or reduce them will be incorporated into the project proposals at the earliest stage.

Incorporated in our meetings are discussions on ways to reduce emissions and act on them. The potential environmental impacts arising from site works have been identified as noise, water, vibration fumes, waste and storage, the mitigation measures are limited by the nature of the work, but they will be:

Noise

All efforts shall be taken to reduce noise to a minimum. Silent generators shall be used when practical. Maintained machinery with engine covers in place shall be used; plant and machinery shall be switched off whenever practical and idling plant shall be stood away from residential and business premises whenever possible.

Noise on site to be reduced as far as possible to protect operatives and the community as a whole. Antisocial behaviour such as shouting, loud radios and swearing will not be permitted.

Water

Site run-off and wastewater produced as a result of site activities to be disposed of in line with the requirements of the Environment Agency. Enough protection must be in place to make sure any dangerous materials used onsite do not spill, leak or leech into surrounding ground or water courses. A suitable drainage system on site for the construction phase to be installed to reduce flooding and pollution. Ways shall be found to reuse water that is usually wasted during construction. i.e. collect, store and reuse water that accumulates on site for lower-grade uses wherever possible.

Vibration

To protect occupants, users and building structures from harm and damage, levels of vibration from all sources, during demolition and construction to be kept to a minimum.

Fumes

To reduce the volume of fumes generated, only properly maintained plant and machinery shall be used, and plant and machinery will be switched off whenever practical.

Storage

Petrol and diesel shall be stored in approved containers and shall be locked away in designated storage areas in line with site fire planning, or, in small quantities, the vehicles that they came in.

Waste

All scrap/waste materials shall be recycled either on or off site in line with the site waste management plan.

Any generators used on site shall have drip trays positioned beneath them and will be monitored on a regular basis to ensure they do not overflow. Spill kits will be on hand during refueling operations.

All soil and hardcore will be reused or recycled for other projects.

No waste food to be left uncovered on site. Good canteen practices to be maintained to avoid pest problems.

Recycling

We are keen to promote the positive use of surplus or waste materials in reducing the effect on the environment and the costs of disposing of them.

Materials produced from demolition or construction work in the planned development will be reused wherever possible. If not possible, only skip companies with full recycling and transfer facilities are to be employed.

A demolition waste survey will be carried out before any demolition takes place to record materials that may be reused including: brick, concrete, hardcore, subsoil, topsoil, timber, metal, steel frames and plastics etc.

Site Waste Management Plans will make handling arrangements for:

Waste arising through the development process

Ways of recycling waste

Ways of reusing and recycling waste

PROCEDURES TO PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT:  OFFICE, WORKSHOP, STORES, COMPANY VEHICLES

Office, workshop, stores & company vehicles

We have identified the following environmental impacts:

1. Office waste
2. Workshop waste
3. Electrical goods waste
4. Energy waste
5. Hazardous chemicals
6. Vehicle emissions

Active management of office waste

Recycling paper, cartons, cardboard etc.

Empty printer cartridges collected and recycled.

Encouragement of suppliers and clients to send and receive electronic statements and payments rather than paper.

Double sided printing and electronic invoices and communication

Workshop waste

Recycling wood waste and sawdust. Maintenance of machines to improve efficiency. Low energy and smart lighting.

High use of natural lighting.

Electrical goods waste

All spent power tool batteries to be recycled according to manufacturer’s instructions.

Redundant computer equipment to be recycled by IT, sold or donated to charity.

Energy waste

By ensuring that all workstations and lights are turned off when not in use.

By ensuring all thermostats are set to ambient temperature or turned down by 1°C.

By ensuring all radiator temperature valves are working and turned to zero when rooms are not in use.

By ensuring all doors are draught free.

By ongoing replacement of single glazed windows to double glazed energy efficient. Ensuring water thermostats are not set higher than necessary.

Closing blinds in the winter months at dusk to stop heat escaping through the windows.

No appliances or mobile chargers left on standby and appliances not charged unnecessarily.

Water only to be boiled to amount required.

Ensure no leaking taps and always fully turned off.

All lighting to be low energy or smart lighting.

Hazardous chemicals

Ensure all products containing hazardous waste are replaced where possible with safer green products.

Vehicle Emissions and Green Fleet Policy

All new Company Vehicles will be considered on their fuel efficiency and emissions.

By active encouragement of the workforce to follow the steps below the fleet impact on the environment will be reduced

1. Check revs – change up before 2,500rpm (petrol) and 2,000rpm (diesel).
2. Anticipate road conditions and drive smoothly, avoiding sharp acceleration and heavy braking. This saves fuel and reduces accident rates.
3. Use air conditioning sparingly as it significantly increases fuel consumption.
4. The most efficient speed depends upon the vehicle in question but is typically around 55 – 65mph. faster speed will greatly increase your fuel consumption.
5. Drive away immediately when starting from cold – idling to heat the engine wastes fuel and causes rapid engine wear.
6. Accessories such as roof racks, and roof boxes significantly affect your vehicles aerodynamics and reduce fuel efficiency, so remember to remove them when not in use.
7. Avoid short journeys – a cold engine uses almost twice as much fuel, and catalytic converters can take five miles to become effective.
8. Plan journeys to avoid congestion, road works and getting lost.
9. Check tyre pressures regularly – under inflated tyres are dangerous and can increase fuel consumption by up to 3%.
10. Stuck in jam procedures: – switch the engine off if you expect to be there for more than a minute or two. Cutting the engine will save fuel and reduce emissions.

The management team will review this policy annually and establish environmental objectives and targets that are consistent with the businesses’ current policy commitments.

This policy forms part of our Quality Manual and will be communicated to all staff, suppliers and sub-contractors.

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