CITB Managers Environmental and Waste Management 2

Question 1

A construction site is adjacent to a watercourse. Under the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016, what offence would be committed if site run-off containing silt enters the watercourse?

Accepted Answer

Causing or knowingly permitting a water discharge activity without an environmental permit

Answer

Under the Environmental Permitting Regulations, it is an offence to cause or knowingly permit a water discharge activity (including discharging polluting matter into inland freshwaters) without an environmental permit or exemption. Silt-laden run-off is a pollutant that can cause significant ecological harm to watercourses.

Question 2

What measures should a construction site manager implement to prevent pollution of nearby watercourses?

Accepted Answer

Install silt fences or settlement ponds, maintain spill kits, implement a surface water management plan, and brief all workers

Answer

Effective pollution prevention requires multiple measures: silt fences, settlement lagoons or tanks, wheel washing, covered material storage, spill kits and drip trays, a surface water management plan, designated refuelling areas away from drains, and worker training. The approach should be proportionate to the risk identified in the site-specific risk assessment.

Question 3

Under the Site Waste Management Plans Regulations (now repealed but considered good practice), what is the main benefit of maintaining a site waste management plan on a construction project?

Accepted Answer

It helps plan waste management, reduce waste volumes, improve recycling rates, ensure legal compliance, and reduce disposal costs

Answer

Although the Site Waste Management Plans Regulations 2008 were repealed in 2013, maintaining a SWMP remains industry good practice. It helps forecast waste types and quantities, plan for segregation and recycling, ensure compliance with duty of care requirements, demonstrate due diligence, and typically reduces overall waste disposal costs.

Question 4

A construction manager needs to dispose of fluorescent light tubes removed during a refurbishment project. How should these be classified and disposed of?

Accepted Answer

As hazardous waste due to mercury content — they must be handled, stored and disposed of through a hazardous waste route

Answer

Fluorescent tubes contain mercury, a hazardous substance. They are classified as hazardous waste under the List of Wastes (EWC code 20 01 21*). They must be stored safely to prevent breakage, collected by a licensed hazardous waste carrier, and accompanied by a consignment note. Specialist recycling facilities recover the mercury and glass.

Question 5

What is the maximum period that hazardous waste can be stored on a construction site before it must be removed, without requiring an environmental permit?

Accepted Answer

6 months if producing less than 500 kg, or 12 months if registered as an exempt site

Answer

Under the Environmental Permitting Regulations, construction sites can temporarily store hazardous waste under a waste exemption. The storage duration depends on the quantities: sites producing less than 500 kg of hazardous waste can store it for up to 6 months, while registered exempt sites may store for up to 12 months, subject to conditions.

CITB HS&E Managers Practice Test

CITB HS&E Managers Practice Test

CITB Managers Environmental and Waste Management 2