Environmental contamination toolbox talk

What it is

Waste, spills, slurry or residue reaching soil, drains, waterways or water catchments.

Controls to check, most effective first

1. Plan the work to minimise waste, and use less harmful products, such as water-based alternatives, where they suit the task.
2. Bund fuel, chemical and slurry storage, and keep it away from drains, waterways and sloping ground.
3. Protect stormwater drains with covers or filters, and use sediment controls such as silt fences around disturbed ground.
4. Keep a spill kit suited to the materials on site, and train workers to contain and report spills promptly.
5. Collect washout water, slurry and residue for proper disposal instead of hosing it into drains or onto soil.
6. Dispose of waste through licensed carriers and facilities, and keep records where the waste is regulated or prescribed.

Where it comes up on the job

Work steps from SafetyDocs templates that deal with environmental contamination:

• Waste disposalDispose of contaminated biological waste safelyFrom Crime Scene Clean
• Spills & sharps managementSign and clean up spills and pick up sharps and broken glassFrom Cleaning Public Areas
• Contamination of waterways and water catchmentEnvironmental risk to waterwaysFrom Hoarder Cleaning Plan
• On Completion - Clean-up and waste disposalInspect the site, bag and label waste, and decontaminate before leavingFrom Painting Asbestos Roofs
• Spills, litter & sharps managementManage spills, litter and sharps safelyFrom Garden Maintenance

Questions for the crew

1. Where could environmental contamination come up on this job today?
2. Is any of this work on today's job: Waste disposal; Spills & sharps management; Contamination of waterways and water catchment?
3. The most effective control is: “Plan the work to minimise waste, and use less harmful products, such as water-based alternatives, where they suit the task”. Can we do that here? If not, why not?
4. Which controls for environmental contamination are missing or not working on this site?
5. When would you stop work because of environmental contamination, and who would you tell?
6. How do we report a hazard, a near miss or an incident on this job?