Northern Ireland's construction and demolition industry is being asked to help revise pollution prevention guidance.
The Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) is currently working with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) and the Environment Agency to update the Working at Construction and Demolition Sites Pollution Prevention Guidlines (PPG 6), which were written in 2003.
However, Environment Minister Sammy Wilson said it is essential that the construction and demolition industry make a contribution during the drafting of the guidance. Sammy Wilson says the guidelines are intended to assist those in the construction and demolition industry with responsibility for managing the environmental impact of their activities. The Minister said, "Most pollution incidents are avoidable, but careful planning can reduce the risk of pollution. Most of the measures needed to prevent pollution cost very little, especially if they are included at the planning stage. In contrast, the costs of cleaning up a pollution incident can be very high."
Pollution prevention and waste minimisation measures may offer substantial economic benefits such as reducing the need for expensive raw materials, fewer site accidents and a reduced risk of prosecution for environmental offences. The existing guidance requires significant revision in terms of site waste management plans, duty of care for waste, pollution prevention, Sustainable Drainage Systems (SUDS), Environmental Management Systems (EMS) and Good Practice.
