CPCS Environmental Considerations 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What environmental control is required when refuelling plant on a construction site?
- Refuelling must take place over a drip tray or on an impermeable surface, away from drains and watercourses (Correct answer)
- Refuelling can take place anywhere on site at the operator's convenience
- Only large plant requires environmental controls during refuelling
- Drip trays are only needed if rain is forecast
Correct answer: Refuelling must take place over a drip tray or on an impermeable surface, away from drains and watercourses
During refuelling, spills are likely. Refuelling must be carried out over a drip tray or on an impermeable surface, well away from drains, ditches, and watercourses to prevent contamination.
Question 2: What is the environmental impact of excessive plant idling on a construction site?
- Unnecessary fuel consumption and exhaust emissions, including particulates and NOx, contributing to poor air quality (Correct answer)
- Idling has no environmental impact — it uses minimal fuel
- Idling only affects the plant's engine life, not the environment
- Idling is only a concern near residential areas
Correct answer: Unnecessary fuel consumption and exhaust emissions, including particulates and NOx, contributing to poor air quality
Excessive idling consumes fuel unnecessarily and produces exhaust emissions including particulates and nitrogen oxides (NOx), contributing to poor local air quality. Good practice is to switch off plant when not needed.
Question 3: What measures reduce dust from construction plant operations on a dry day?
- Water suppression on haul roads and working areas, and fitting dust suppression to equipment where possible (Correct answer)
- Drive faster to reduce the time plant spends in dusty areas
- Dust from plant operations is unavoidable and no measures are required
- Only indoor plant operations need dust control
Correct answer: Water suppression on haul roads and working areas, and fitting dust suppression to equipment where possible
Water suppression on haul roads and working areas reduces dust generation. Where possible, dust suppression systems should be fitted to equipment. Dust is a nuisance and health hazard to workers and the public.
Question 4: Which of the following plant operations has the greatest potential to disturb protected ecological habitats?
- Vegetation clearance and ground stripping, especially near watercourses, woodland, and hedgerows (Correct answer)
- Only deep excavation near rivers
- Only concrete pouring near wetlands
- Overhead crane lifts near trees
Correct answer: Vegetation clearance and ground stripping, especially near watercourses, woodland, and hedgerows
Vegetation clearance and ground stripping near sensitive habitats — particularly watercourses, woodland edges, and hedgerows — has the greatest potential to damage protected species and habitats.
Question 5: What should a plant operator do if they identify a protected species (e.g. great crested newt) in their working area?
- Stop work immediately and report to the site manager — work must not resume until a licensed ecologist has assessed the situation (Correct answer)
- Continue working carefully around the animal
- Remove the animal to a safe location and continue
- Protected species are only a concern on greenfield sites
Correct answer: Stop work immediately and report to the site manager — work must not resume until a licensed ecologist has assessed the situation
If a protected species is identified, work must stop immediately and the site manager informed. Only a licensed ecologist can advise on how to proceed legally. Disturbing protected species is a criminal offence.
Question 6: How does the Control of Pollution Act 1974 relate to plant operations on construction sites?
- It gives local authorities power to control noise from plant operations on construction sites (Correct answer)
- It controls plant exhaust emissions only
- It only applies to permanent industrial premises, not construction sites
- It sets maximum speed limits for plant on public roads
Correct answer: It gives local authorities power to control noise from plant operations on construction sites
The Control of Pollution Act 1974 gives local authorities power to impose noise limits and operating hours on construction sites. Plant operators must comply with any noise conditions imposed under this Act.
CPCS Environmental Considerations 2
What environmental control is required when refuelling plant on a construction site?