The environmental impact of the construction of any Self-Built Exhibition Space may be influenced by many factors: the nature of the work processes, the materials used, and the technologies and equipment adopted. It may also depend on the location of the particular site within the wider Exhibition Site, the presence of sensitive areas, the method and frequency of deliveries, and on roads and transport.
The most significant environmental aspects generated by construction work at the Expo site in general will be related to:
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• noise;
• water consumption and drainage;
• dust and other emissions;
• energy consumption;
• impacts on the ground;
• waste management;
• management of hazardous substances;
• traffic;
• construction materials and processes.
Noise
Noise mitigation measures may be of logistical/organizational type or technical/constructional type.
The logistical/organizational noise mitigation measures may include:
• avoiding simultaneous work processes that generate significant noise;
• moving noise sources away from the nearest or the most sensitive areas;
• adopting working techniques that reduce noise;
• carrying out the noisiest work processes at times when they will create minimal disturbance for sensitive areas;
• using warning lights instead of acoustic warnings, wherever possible.
The technical/constructional noise mitigation measures may include:
• using machinery and equipment that is in good condition, is frequently maintained, and complies with current regulations;
• compartmentalising and/or fitting noise insulation to fixed sources of noise;
• fitting silencers to exhaust outlets.
Water consumption and drainage
Measures to reduce the consumption of water in construction can include water recycling and the use of water recirculation. Waste water should be discharged via the system provided.
Ground dispersion or spillages into surface water without prior treatment are not permitted.
Dust and other emissions
The large size of the Expo site means that it will generate a significant number of vehicle movements. These are likely to have a significant impact on air quality, particularly as regards dust emissions caused by the handling of materials and by vehicles.
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The Participant is required to mitigate dust emissions by taking such logistical and technical measures as:
• washing the wheels and, if necessary, the bodywork of vehicles leaving the Expo Construction Site;
• storing powdered materials in silos and wherever technically possible, moving them in closed systems;
• keeping powdery loads covered when handling and storing them;
• carrying out clean-up operations should any work processes or plant equipment lead to emissions of dust, gas, or aerosols;
• damping vehicle pathways within their own Lot;
• using physical wind barriers to shield heaped material.
The Participant is also invited to:
• limit the speed of vehicles
• encapsulate any equipment used for filling or emptying silos containing powdery material.
Emissions from vehicle exhausts are another direct source of pollution. The most important mitigation measures include:
• adopting a fleet maintenance programme to ensure perfect engine efficiency;
• using environmentally friendly fuels;
• using wheeled rather than tracked vehicles;
• fitting diesel vehicles with particulate filters (these are obligatory for vehicles of 37 kW and above).
For emissions into the atmosphere from diesel-powered electricity generators, all Participants are invited to:
• use exhaust treatment technology;
• only run diesel generators for the times during which they are actually required.
It is absolutely forbidden to burn anything on site.
Energy consumption
For internal combustion generators, the use of high energy efficiency generators is encouraged, e.g. of types that burn environmentally friendly fuel.
Impacts on the ground
In relation to construction activities, the main risks of ground contamination
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come from:
• accidental spillages of fuels, lubricants, oils and other hazardous substances;
• allowing washing water or liquid concrete to soak into the ground;
• burying waste or debris.
Prevention of environmental impact on the ground consists mainly of taking such logistical measures as:
• storing fuels, lubricants, waste oil and any other hazardous substances in containers fitted with containment tanks;
• maintaining and refuelling machinery and equipment on paved surfaces that are under cover;
• managing site water correctly;
• mitigation of the impacts deriving from possible accidents is discussed in the following paragraphs.
Waste management
The Organiser recommends that left-over material needing to be disposed of after construction should be eliminated or minimised, and that materials should be selected that have high potential for reuse or recycling when the Expo is demolished.
Waste from site construction work must be:
• separated by type (according to its assigned EWC code) and identified by marking it with its name and EWC code;
• stored in compliance with the legally permitted time and quantity requirements (which for non-hazardous waste are not more than 30 cubic metres of waste to be sent for final recovery or disposal every 3 months);
• sent for disposal in accordance with current regulations.
An adequate number of dedicated containers, separated for each waste type and compliant with environmental protection law, must be provided within each Lot for the differentiated collection of the following materials:
• plastic and packaging
• paper and cardboard
• metals
• general waste similar to urban waste
• wood
• chemical substances
• plasterboard
• inert materials.
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Liquid waste must be placed in properly closed dedicated containers, tanks or drums that comply with regulations, are deposited in specific areas, and are kept separate from areas used to store solid waste.
The numbers and types of these containers must be determined by the Participants themselves in relation to their contingent needs.
Site waste must be stored within individual Lots. Each Participant must identify and adequately equip at least one specially designated waste storage area within their Lot for collecting and stacking waste until it is removed.
These waste storage areas must be clearly identifiable, must be located at a safe distance from watercourses, and must be covered unless the type of container or the nature of the waste does not entail any risk of dispersion of pollutants if they are exposed to rain.
The borders of each waste storage area must be adequately defined and the waste must be stored in an orderly manner so that it cannot create any risks for workers. Waste heaps must be separated at a minimum distance one from another. Random or disorderly waste storage within the Lots is not permitted.
Waste material must not be stored in working areas. Storage of materials and waste may not prevent free movement inside and outside the construction site. Transit routes must always be kept clear so as not to impede the movement of workers and vehicles.
Building contractors operating within the Lots of individual Participants must take measures to raise the awareness of their personnel in relation to the correct management of waste, and must provide them with the appropriate means and tools for dealing with it.
Management of hazardous substances
The precautions to be taken for the storage of waste containing hazardous substances are given on the safety data sheet for each product. These directions must be followed when managing these types of waste.
For the storage of hazardous waste, particular attention must be paid to:
• the maximum quantity that can legally be stored (10 cubic metres, which must be sent every 2 months for final recovery or disposal);
• the characteristics of the storage area (type of space, ventilation, freedom from damp, safety distances, etc.);
• any incompatibilities with the storage of other products or chemical substances;
• the main risks for personnel;
• the action to be taken in case of accidental contact with any part of
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the body;
• the specific information and training given to site personnel;
• the personal protection equipment to be used when handling waste.
To eliminate the risks associated with the specific characteristics of particular materials (ref. SR4 art. 42), storage areas must be duly identified in the ways required by law, must be provided with their own safety equipment, must be under cover, and must be either paved or surrounded by impermeable containment basins with anti-spillage upstands.
Hazardous materials may only be stored on site within the limits prescribed by law. In the particular case of flammable materials, only the quantities strictly required for a single day's work can be stored (ref. SR4 art. 33.5).
Any spillages must be promptly dealt with by recovering the spilled substance and reinstating safe conditions in the area affected.
Flammable materials must be stored in appropriately sealed metal containers.
In all such instances, reference must be made to current fire regulations and the PPSC (ref. SR4 art. 33.5).
To protect the health of workers, all chemical or hazardous waste must be managed in accordance with all the precautions and requirements set out in the PPSC.
Traffic
To mitigate the environmental impact caused by traffic, Participants are required to:
• correctly programme and rationalise deliveries, in consultation with the Organiser (see chapter 4 ACCESSIBILITY);
• comply with the traffic and movement plans, including the provisions set out by the Organiser for access to the construction areas (see chapter 4 ACCESSIBILITY);
Construction materials and processes
Compatibly with the technical requirements and performance of products and materials, preference should be given to materials and processes with reduced environmental impact such as recycled aggregates, water-based solvent-free products, etc.
For details of the suggested materials, see the paragraph on Materials and construction technology in the SS Guidelines.
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