Construction Group Case Study

The Environmental Academy was approached by the Construction Group in the Spring of 2008, requesting assistance with their short term objectives of improving environmental performance and longer term goal of implementing a full Environmental Management System (EMS) towards the international standard ISO14001. Work began in April 2008 and a core environmental team was established to assist Gary Pattinson the Environmental Management Representative in the process.

An initial assessment also known as a Gap Analysis was conducted to assess the work that would be required and to identify good practice already in place. The Environmental Academy produced a report outlining their findings and a clear action plan on how to move forward.

The next step was to start the EMS meetings thus commencing the step by step process of building the system. The Environmental Academy worked with the Environmental Team to discuss how the individual clauses of ISO14001 relate to the specific activities of the Construction Group.

One of the key clauses of ISO14001 is demonstrating competency, training and awareness of environmental issues. During the process, a programme of environmental training was undertaken. This started with delegates undertaking a Level 1 (NCFE) Introductory Certificate in Environmental Awareness for Construction, in order for them to understand how their business can impact on the environment, and also appreciate the financial implications of failing to manage expensive aspects such as energy and waste. John Dent was one of the first people within the Construction Group to take the training and after the course he commented - "The training session made us aware of our duties and responsibilities".

Having gained good foundation knowledge in how the company’s activities interact with the environment, core members of the Environmental Team embarked on the Level 3 (NCFE) Certificate for the Environmental Practitioner course leading to associate membership of IEMA, where they would learn some key skills and techniques in Environmental Management such as, how to conduct an environmental risk assessment and how to identify significant environmental aspects.

Mark Barber the Small Works Repairs Manager at Construction Group said - "The Level 3 Certificate for the Environmental Practitioner has had a major input into the setting up of our WSF, which is now up and running and already showing significant changes, not only in the reduction of waste generated from our Construction sites but our working practices are benefitting from the training that we have received from the Environmental Academy. My individual training has influenced the way I have managed our waste segregation facility and brought in awareness to all staff".

Indeed one of the most challenging aspects of the process has been managing the waste arising from Construction Group activities, particularly in light of the recent Site Waste Management Plan Regulations (2008), which requires projects of over £300,000 to have a documented waste plan where opportunities to reduce, reuse and recycle waste streams are identified.

To assist in this process, relevant staff members embarked on a Site Waste Management Plan training programme to familiarise themselves with the legislation and how it affects the company. The Environmental Academy provided both classroom based and workplace mentor support to the Construction Group. Ron Nicholson, an Estimating and Systems manager with Construction Group summarised the support received  - "Since the outset of proposed legislation on Site Waste Management Plans, the knowledge, enthusiasm and dedication imparted by representatives of the Environmental Academy has proved to be of great support and encouragement to ourselves and the improvements and progress Construction Group has made in improving our management of waste is due to this assistance."

o ensure legal compliance the Construction Group has invested in a Pocket Guide to Environmental Legislation for the Construction Sector produced by the Environmental Academy for Constructing Excellence. This was particularly valuable to the Construction Group when producing their register of legislation, which is a key component of the planning stage of the EMS. Iain Sharp, Integrated Management Systems Controller, commented - "The Pocket Guide to Environmental Legislation for the Construction Sector has been priceless as it can be very difficult to understand the impenetrable legal jargon, and the Environmental Academy has translated laws in 22 environmental issues into English for us".

Communication is essential in establishing a robust EMS and the Environmental Academy has worked with the Construction Group to discuss effective methods of gaining support for the drive towards environmental improvement. The Construction Toolkit, produced by the Environmental Academy is now in use on construction sites throughout the group. Other communication methods such as a ‘Green Day’ and various campaigns are being rolled out to increase awareness and embed the EMS in the organisation.

Graeme Mills, Communications Manager with the Environmental Academy, stressed the importance of effective communication - " The objective of any communication strategy is to change the environmental behaviours of stakeholders in the organisation. We worked with the Construction Group to embed these behaviours into their culture in a way that enables the EMS to have a lasting impact. To do so, we spent time considering the motivational factors of those working in the organisation that will lead them to change".

Towards the end of the process the Construction Group engaged in environmental auditor training, which included a practical audit of legal compliance issues on site. Auditing is another key clause of ISO14001 and once again Construction Group demonstrated their commitment to their EMS by fully engaging in both the classroom and site based element of the training.

In February 2009, the Construction Group and the Environmental Academy, through much dedication and hard work, finished building the EMS and the various procedures are currently being embedded prior to a pre certification audit in April 2009. It is hoped that ISO14001 accreditation will be achieved shortly afterwards. The final stage of the process was to hold a half day training synopsis of the Environmental Management System that had been a work in progress for the last year or so.

Gary and the team demonstrated commitment and enthusiasm throughout the whole process to ensure that the Construction Group are well placed to meet the continuing demand for improved environmental performance within the Construction Sector and at the same time improve resource efficiency and reduce costs.

Gary summed up the project - "The  support and guidance that has been provided by the Environmental Academy has allowed the structure and the implementation of the Environmental Management System to be so much more practical and informative than if we had tried to carry out this process ourselves. The working relationship that has been established with the Environmental Academy has brought additional strength to the Construction Group through the access to their expertise within the field of environmental management.  I hope that the Environmental Academy will continue to be a member of our service provider’s on a long term basis".