A common element of waste management is the storage or stockpiling of waste for recycling or reuse. The Environment Protection Authority (EPA) makes it necessary that this procedure is conducted in a proper approach so that the probability of damage to human health and the environment is avoided or reduced. Storage or stockpiling is required to be done exclusively in acceptable conditions for legitimate and beneficial purposes.
Stockpile sites are used to enable the non-permanent storing of material or tools for construction or maintenance projects. The varieties of materials that could be put away are:
- Particular substance and fill – for instance sand and rock
- Topsoil, wood chips, mulch and waste vegetation
- Virgin Excavated Natural Material (VENM) and spoil
- Recycled asphalt pavement (RAP) – rotomilled material
- Concrete or asphalt block material stripped away from streets
- Aggregate and Pre-coated aggregate
- Cold mix asphalt
- Road base
- Parked machinery and vehicles
- Construction materials such as Jersey Kerb and traffic signs
- General materials such as timber, steel etc.
Stockpile sites ordinarily are not to be used for the storing of any waste which contains coal tar or just about any waste that may be classified as damaging, restricted solid, special or liquid waste as classified in the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997
Stockpile sound management strategies
Prior to when decision is taken to establish a short-term stockpile on site a risk assessment has to be performed with the purpose of preventing or reducing the chance of damaging effects on human health and/or the environment. In every case, the site and substance specific circumstances need to be taken into account when figuring out the specific prerequisites in relation to bunding, on-site structure and community discussion.
With regards to the venue, potential off-site threats and amount of community interest associated with an action, the proper level of community consulting may need to be undertaken both at the preparation and operational levels of stockpiling activities. In these instances, stakeholders which includes neighboring communities and local inhabitants must be advised on troubles which include period, potential hazards and effects and the associated mitigation actions. Relevant contact info of organization or project managers ought to be given to town for open correspondence to permit concerns or problems to be attended to.
On-site risks is dependent upon elements such as the:
- waste type and chemical and physical traits of the materials being stockpiled
- location and weather conditions of the site
- hydrological and hydrogeological situations including distance to surface and ground waters, water quality and protected environmental values
- time frame substances will likely be stored
- proposed management method of the stockpiled substances
Further off-site risks has to be considered and depend on factors such as:
- proximity to and sensitivity of the nearby environment (like adverse effect to water, human health and amenity)
- direct exposure as a result of height in metres AHD of the working floor level that the stockpile is situated upon and in accordance with the encompassing environment
- implementation of suitable pollution control requirements
- management of traffic around the site
All of the following environmental protection steps must be used to determine and maintain stockpiles on construction sites:
- The perimeter of the stockpile needs to be delineated with a bund (made out of earth/RAP etc) or other type of fencing or obstacle.
- Materials must be stockpiled at least 5 metres from foliage or native vegetation, and simply not pushed up around the foundation of trees.
- Stockpiled materials should not be greater than 2m tall and should have a maximum 2:1 slope.
- Erosion and sedimentation regulators need to be erected in between the site and any water flow lines or down-slope areas.
- A diversion bund must be installed on the uphill area of the site to redirect water round the site.
- Cover stockpiles with plastic or keep them damped down if dirt might be a dilemma.
- Stockpiles sites have to be sufficient enough to contain all necessary substance without burying protective precautions for instance silt fences. In case you have excessive substance you might want to extend your site protection methods.
- Stockpile sites need to be tested often making sure that the site sign (which plainly names and locates the site), perimeter bunding, sedimentation and erosion controls and boundary delineation are all in order.
At the conclusion of the construction project all temporary stockpile sites ought to be removed from site and the site restored as required by the contract requirements. Below is an example of excellent and negative processes:
This is an example of a poorly maintained stockpile site. To become properly taken care of the site ought to be sufficient enough to contain every required material. The sediment wall enveloping this site is inadequate as it is being buried under stockpiled topsoil.
This stockpile site is well managed. It provides a sediment fence downhill, the incline is the highest 2:1 and it is not over 2 m high. It is visible from the public road, faraway from trees and powerlines and is on compacted ground.
qualitymanagementplantemplate 