CSCS Environmental Awareness 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the correct order of the waste hierarchy as defined by the Waste (England and Wales) Regulations 2011?
- Recycle, reuse, dispose, recover, prevent
- Prevention, reuse, recycling, other recovery (e.g. energy recovery), and disposal — in descending order of preference (Correct answer)
- Dispose, recover, recycle, reuse, prevent
- There is no legally defined order for waste management
Correct answer: Prevention, reuse, recycling, other recovery (e.g. energy recovery), and disposal — in descending order of preference
The Waste (England and Wales) Regulations 2011 implement the EU Waste Framework Directive and establish the waste hierarchy in order of preference: prevention (avoiding waste creation), preparing for reuse, recycling, other recovery (such as energy recovery), and disposal (landfill) as the last resort. Construction sites must demonstrate compliance with this hierarchy.
Question 2: What is a Waste Transfer Note and when is it required on a construction site?
- It is only required for hazardous waste
- A Waste Transfer Note must accompany every transfer of non-hazardous controlled waste and must include a description of the waste, the quantity, the carrier's details, and the destination — it must be kept for at least 2 years (Correct answer)
- It is a voluntary document
- It is only required when waste leaves the country
Correct answer: A Waste Transfer Note must accompany every transfer of non-hazardous controlled waste and must include a description of the waste, the quantity, the carrier's details, and the destination — it must be kept for at least 2 years
Under Section 34 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and the Waste (England and Wales) Regulations 2011, a Waste Transfer Note (WTN) must be completed for every transfer of non-hazardous waste. It must include a written description of the waste, SIC code, quantity, container type, and details of both parties. WTNs must be retained for a minimum of 2 years. Hazardous waste requires consignment notes kept for 3 years.
Question 3: What are the legal requirements for storing fuel oil on a construction site to prevent pollution?
- Fuel can be stored in any container
- Oil must be stored in a suitable container within a secondary containment (bund) capable of holding at least 110% of the largest container's capacity, on an impermeable base, with no drainage valve in the bund (Correct answer)
- Fuel storage has no specific regulations on construction sites
- Only containers over 1000 litres need bunding
Correct answer: Oil must be stored in a suitable container within a secondary containment (bund) capable of holding at least 110% of the largest container's capacity, on an impermeable base, with no drainage valve in the bund
The Oil Storage Regulations 2001 (applying in England) and equivalent regulations across the UK require that oil be stored in suitable containers within secondary containment (bunding) capable of holding at least 110% of the capacity of the largest container. Bunds must have an impermeable base and walls with no drainage valve. On construction sites, additional spill kits and drip trays should be used under refuelling areas.
Question 4: During what hours are construction sites typically permitted to carry out noisy work in residential areas under local authority controls?
- 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
- Typically Monday to Friday 08:00-18:00, Saturday 08:00-13:00, with no noisy work on Sundays or Bank Holidays — though exact hours vary by local authority (Correct answer)
- Only between midnight and 6am
- There are no restrictions on construction noise
Correct answer: Typically Monday to Friday 08:00-18:00, Saturday 08:00-13:00, with no noisy work on Sundays or Bank Holidays — though exact hours vary by local authority
Under Section 60 and 61 of the Control of Pollution Act 1974, local authorities can impose conditions on construction site noise including permitted working hours. While hours vary by authority, the typical standard is Monday to Friday 08:00-18:00, Saturday 08:00-13:00, with no noisy work on Sundays or Bank Holidays. Prior consent under Section 61 can be sought for work outside these hours.
Question 5: What is the legal duty of care regarding waste management that applies to construction site managers?
- There is no specific duty of care for construction waste
- Under Section 34 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, anyone who produces, imports, carries, keeps, treats, or disposes of controlled waste has a duty of care to ensure it is managed properly, only transferred to authorised persons, and does not escape or cause pollution (Correct answer)
- The duty of care only applies to the waste carrier
- The duty of care ends once waste leaves the site gate
Correct answer: Under Section 34 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, anyone who produces, imports, carries, keeps, treats, or disposes of controlled waste has a duty of care to ensure it is managed properly, only transferred to authorised persons, and does not escape or cause pollution
Section 34 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 imposes a duty of care on all parties in the waste chain. Construction site managers must ensure waste is properly described, securely stored, transferred only to authorised carriers with valid waste carrier licences, and that the receiving facility holds the appropriate environmental permit. The duty continues even after waste has left the site — fly-tipping by a carrier can result in prosecution of the waste producer.
Question 6: What dust suppression measures must be implemented on a construction site to minimise environmental impact?
- Dust suppression is optional on construction sites
- Water spraying, damping down of haul roads, covering of stockpiles, use of wheel wash facilities, and enclosure of dust-generating activities — as required by the site's environmental management plan and any planning conditions (Correct answer)
- Only wearing dust masks is required
- Dust is only a concern inside buildings, not outdoors
Correct answer: Water spraying, damping down of haul roads, covering of stockpiles, use of wheel wash facilities, and enclosure of dust-generating activities — as required by the site's environmental management plan and any planning conditions
Under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 (statutory nuisance provisions) and planning conditions, construction sites must implement dust suppression measures including: water spraying of dusty surfaces and haul roads, covering stockpiles and loaded lorries, using wheel wash facilities, enclosing cutting and grinding operations, and monitoring dust levels at site boundaries. IAQM guidance provides best practice standards.
CSCS Environmental Awareness 1
What is the correct order of the waste hierarchy as defined by the Waste (England and Wales) Regulations 2011?