Environmental Risk Assessment (ERA) – Construction Sites

 Environmental Risk Assessment (ERA) – Construction Sites

1. What is Environmental Risk Assessment?

Environmental Risk Assessment is a systematic process used to:

Identify environmental hazards from construction activities

Evaluate the risk level (likelihood × severity)

Apply control measures to prevent pollution, environmental damage, and legal non-compliance

It focuses on protecting:

Air

Water (surface & groundwater)

Soil

Flora & fauna

Surrounding communities

2. Steps in Environmental Risk Assessment

Step 1: Identify Environmental Aspects & Hazards

Identify all site activities that can impact the environment.

Activity

Environmental Hazard

Excavation

Soil erosion, dust generation

Fuel storage

Soil & groundwater contamination

Concrete works

Alkaline wastewater runoff

Welding & cutting

Air pollution, fumes

Waste disposal

Land contamination

Vehicle movement

Noise, emissions

Dewatering

Contaminated water discharge

Step 2: Identify Environmental Impacts

Determine what damage can occur if the hazard is uncontrolled.

Air pollution (dust, emissions)

Water pollution (oil, chemicals, cement slurry)

Soil contamination

Noise & vibration disturbance

Harm to vegetation & wildlife

Community nuisance

Legal penalties & project delays

Step 3: Risk Evaluation

Assess risk using a risk matrix:

Risk = Likelihood × Severity

Risk Level.                   Description

Low.               Minimal environmental impact

Medium.          Temporary impact

High.                      Serious pollution

Step 4: Control Measures (Hierarchy of Control)

A. Engineering Controls

Bunded fuel storage areas

Oil–water separators

Sediment traps & silt fences

Noise barriers

Covered material stockpiles

B. Administrative Controls

Environmental Management Plan (EMP)

Method Statements 

Permit-to-work system

Environmental training

Toolbox talks

Waste segregation plan

C. PPE (Last Line of Defense)

Respirators (dust control)

Spill response PPE

Hearing protection (noise control)

Step 5: Monitoring & Review

Regular site inspections

Environmental audits

Dust & noise monitoring

Water quality testing

Incident reporting & corrective actions

3. Common Environmental Risks & Controls (Construction Site)

Environmental Risk.        Control Measures

Dust emissions.              Water spraying

Fuel spills.                      Spill kits, drip trays

Waste pollution.             Waste segregation 

Noise pollution.              silencers

Water contamination. Controlled discharge 

Hazardous waste.         Labeling, MSDS 

4. Legal & Standard References (Commonly Used)

ISO 14001 – Environmental Management System

NEBOSH Environmental Management

Local environmental authority regulations

Project Environmental Management Plan (EMP)

Client & contractor environmental requirements

5. Simple Environmental Risk Assessment 

6. Why ERA is Critical on Construction Sites

Prevents environmental damage

Avoids fines & legal action

Improves company reputation

Ensures project sustainability

Protects workers