10.1.1
Site inspection provides a direct
means to initiate and enforce specified environmental protection and pollution
control measures. These shall be undertaken
routinely to inspect construction activities in order to ensure that
appropriate environmental protection and pollution control mitigation measures
are properly implemented. The site
inspection is one of the most effective tools to enforce the environmental
protection requirements at the works area.
10.1.2
The ET Leader shall be responsible for
formulating the environmental site inspection, the deficiency and action
reporting system, and for carrying out the site inspection works. He shall submit a proposal for site
inspection and deficiency and action reporting procedures to the Contractor for
agreement, and to the ER for approval.
The ET’s proposal for rectification would be made known to the IC(E).
10.1.3
Regular site inspections shall be carried
out at least once per week. The areas
of inspection shall not be limited to the environmental situation, pollution
control and mitigation measures within the site; it should also review the
environmental situation outside the works area which is likely to be affected,
directly or indirectly, by the site activities. The ET Leader shall make reference to the following information
in conducting the inspection:
(i)
The
EIA and EM&A recommendations on environmental protection and pollution control
mitigation measures;
(ii)
Ongoing
results of the EMA& programme;
(iii)
Works
progress and programme;
(iv)
Individual
works methodology proposals (which shall include proposal on associated
pollution control measures);
(v)
Contract
specifications on environmental protection;
(vi)
Relevant
environmental protection and pollution control laws; and
(vii)
Previous
site inspection results undertaken by the ET and others.
10.1.4
The Contractor shall keep the ET
Leader updated with all relevant information on the construction contract
necessary for him to carry out the site inspections. Inspection results and associated recommendations for
improvements to the environmental protection and pollution control works shall
be submitted to the IC(E) and the Contractor within 24 hours for reference and
for taking immediate action. The
Contractor shall follow the procedures and time-frame as stipulated in the
environmental site inspection, and the deficiency and action reporting system
formulated by the ET Leader, to report on any remedial measures subsequent to
the site inspections.
10.1.5
The ET shall also carry out ad hoc
site inspections if significant environmental problems are identified. Inspections may also be required subsequent
to receipt of an environmental complaint, or as part of the investigation work,
as specified in the Action Plan for environmental monitoring and audit.
10.2.1
There are contractual environmental
protection and pollution control requirements as well as environmental
protection and pollution control laws in Hong Kong with which construction
activities must comply.
10.2.2
In order that the works are in
compliance with the contractual requirements, all works method statements
submitted by the Contractor to the ER for approval shall be sent to the ET
Leader for vetting to see whether sufficient environmental protection and
pollution control measures have been included.
The implementation schedule of mitigation measures is summarised in Appendix
A.
10.2.3
The ET Leader shall also review the
progress and programme of the works to check that relevant environmental laws
have not been violated, and that any foreseeable potential for violating laws
can be prevented.
10.2.4
The Contractor shall regularly copy
relevant documents to the ET Leader so that works checking can be carried
out. The document shall at least
include the updated Works Progress Reports, updated Works Programme, any application
letters for different licence / permits under the environmental protection
laws, and copies of all valid licences / permits. The site diary shall also be available for the ET Leader's
inspection upon his request.
10.2.5
After reviewing the documentation, the
ET Leader shall advise the IC(E) and Contractor of any non-compliance with
contractual and legislative requirements on environmental protection and
pollution control for them to take follow-up actions. If the ET Leader's review concludes that the current status on
licence / permit application and any environmental protection and pollution
control preparation works may result in potential violation of environmental
protection and pollution control requirements, he shall also advise the
Contractor and the ER accordingly.
10.2.6
Upon receipt of the advice, the
Contractor shall undertake immediate action to correct the situation. The ER shall follow up to ensure that
appropriate action has been taken in order to satisfy contractual and legal
requirements.
10.3.1
Complaints shall be referred to the ET
Leader for action. The ET Leader shall
undertake the following procedures upon receipt of any complaint:
(i)
(i) log complaint and date of receipt onto
the complaint database and inform the IC(E) immediately;
(i)
;
(ii)
investigate
the complaint to determine its validity, and assess whether the source of the
problem is due to works activities;
(iii)
identify
mitigation measures in consultation with the IC(E) if a complaint is valid and
due to works;
(iv)
advise
the Contractor if mitigation measures are required;
(v)
(v) review the Contractor's response
to identified mitigation measures, and the updated situation;
(vi)
(vi) if the complaint is transferred
from the EPD, submit interim report to the EPD on status of the complaint
investigation and follow-up action within the time frame assigned by the EPD;
(vii)
(vii) undertake additional monitoring
and audit to verify the situation if necessary, and review that circumstances
leading to the complaint do not recur;
(viii)
(viii) report investigation results and
subsequent actions to complainant (if the source of complaint is EPD, the
results should be reported within the timeframe assigned by the EPD); and
(ix)
(ix) record the complaint,
investigation, the subsequent actions and the results in the monthly EM&A
reports.