Construction dust poses a health risk to construction workers as well as the surrounding community as it may potentially lead to pulmonary diseases. A less severe effect of construction dust may cause one’s vision to be limited. Nonetheless, proper precautions should be taken to minimise the formation of airborne dust.
Target
- Hinder open burning on-site.
- Minimise generation or release of airborne dust to protect workers and the surrounding community.
Standard Operating Procedures
8.1 Brief workers on the concept of “open burning” and prohibit open burning activities on-site.
8.2 Maintain original vegetation cover at non-working areas instead of clearing the entire site to minimise exposed soil surfaces.
8.3 Restrict public access to the site, to limit movement of vehicles within the site thus reducing generation of airborne dust.
8.4 Restrict the speed of moving vehicles to the speed limit specified in the approved EIA/MD.
8.5 Erect speed limit signages at easily visible locations within the site to remind workers to adhere to speed limits.
8.6 Provide water storage and water spraying facilities such as water browser trucks (Refer to Plate 23), handheld hoses, or sprinklers at site.
8.7 Conduct water spraying activities on dry and exposed soil. Increase frequency of water spraying during dry and windy weather.
8.8 Avoid over-spraying to the extent that sediment-laden water is formed.
8.9 Cover all transportation carrying loads with canvas or tarpaulin sheets.
8.10 Always uphold proper road courtesy and safe driving practices.
8.11 Refer to guidelines listed in Appendix 1 for additional references on controlling dust formation on-site.
Plate 23: Example of water browser facility.
Plate 24: Transportation vehicle carrying load covered with canvas.