Green During Construction[1].3_0

7/30/2019 Green During Construction[1].3_0

1/34

Green During Construction.

The goal of the project isto encourage institutions,developers, designers, andprofessional organizations

to adopt a Green duringconstruction pledge tothe benefit of thesurrounding community,

workers and visitors onthe site by reducingemissions, particulatematter, dust and silicates,and toxic gases, like CO.


2/34

theconstruction phase.

The Green BuildingMovement [LEED, GreenGlobal, NEEP HighPerformance Schools]focuses on energy

efficiency and using lesstoxic products from theperspective of futureoccupants of a building.

Our initiative proposes toinclude air quality issueswhile structures are beingbuilt, the constructionphase.


3/34

Disconnect between Green andSafety?


4/34

Rajendran (2009) no significant difference in injuryrates (LEED vs non-LEED)

Gambatese (2009) blind spot in sustainable designpractice when it comes to worker safety and health

Health limited mentionIEQ credit 4.1 for Low emitting materials

To reduce the quantity of indoor aircontaminants that are odorous, irritating,and/or harmful to the comfort and well-beingof installers and occupants

(LEED 3.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4) Construction AirQuality lacks specificity


5/34

Green Globes

Green Building Initiative

Addresses dust exposures and dieselfumes

Adopted by ANSI [American NationalStandards Institute] for Commercialbuildings


6/34

GDC Benefits

Reduce exposure toexhaust products

Carbon Monoxide Diesel

Reduce Exposure to Dusts/ Silica

Reduce site specific production ofgreenhouse gases (CO2)


7/34

Air Quality Issues:diesel exhaust

Diesel exhaust consists ofgases and particulatematter (soot).

The gas portion of dieselexhaust contains, nitrogenoxides, sulphur oxides, andPAHs (polycyclic aromatichydrocarbons).

The particulate fraction (PM) of diesel exhaust is mainlyelemental carbon, organic material (including PAHs), andmetallic compounds. The soot particles or clumps of particlesprovide surfaces on which the gas chemicals can hitch a ride.As you breathe in these particles the gases go along for the

ride.


8/34

Air Quality Issues:diesel exhaust

Prolonged exposure todiesel exhaust probablyincreasesthe risk of lung andpossiblybladder cancer(?).

Diesel exhaust maycontribute to otherhealth problemssuch as asthma andcardiovascular diseases.


9/34

Gasoline powered vehiclesand equipment produceprodigious amounts ofcarbon monoxide (CO), alethal gas . [ Each year@2,700 CO emergencypoisonings (@30 arefatal) from worksites.]

Hypoxia (oxygenstarvation) due to acutecarbon monoxide

poisoning may cause bothreversible, short-lastingneurological deficits andsevere, often delayedneurological damage, anddeath.

Air Quality Issues:gasoline exhaust


10/34

Air Quality Issues: gasolineexhaust

Gasoline exhaust alsocontain substances[nitrogen oxides,ozone,] that induceseveral types of

pulmonary toxicity.

Three gasoline emissions {benzene, 1,3 butadiene,formaldehyde -}have beenshown each to exceed onein one hundred thousandcancer risk thresholds inNortheast urban areas.

NESCAUM , Evaluating the Occupational andEnvironmental Impact on NonROADDiesel Equipment in the Northeast, Mar2004.


11/34

Worksite snapshot In Colorado, 40%

(135) of all work-related CO poisonings[1985-1995] wererelated to the use ofgasoline-poweredequipment [CDPHE

1996].

Seventeen of the 135workers poisoned lostconsciousness during theirexposures, and two died.

Many cases wereconstruction related:concrete-cutting saws (28workers), power trowels

(15 workers), high-pressure washers (14workers), compressors (10workers), weldingequipment (9 workers).


12/34

Air Quality Issues:DustDust consists of tiny solid particles

formed by a disintegration orfracture process, such as grinding,crushing, or impact. A wide range ofparticle size is produced. Particles

that are too large to remain airbornesettle while others remain in the airindefinitely.

General dust levels ( Particulates

not Otherwise Classified /Regulated(PNOCR)) at significantly elevated concentrationsmay induce irreversible changes to airways and lossof functional lung capacity based on pathologyinvestigations and experimental studies.


13/34

crystalline silica300 workers die every year

from silicosis, a chronic, disablinglung disease characterized by theformation of nodules of scar tissuein the lungsin the US.

Hundreds more are disabled and between3000 and 7000 new cases ariseeach year.The industry that leads in prematuremortality (years of potential life lost)

from silicosis is construction.The International Agency forResearch on Cancer (IARC) hasclassified inhaled crystalline silicaas carcinogenic to humans (Group

1) IARCs highest designation.


14/34

SilicaHistorical Among the largest industrial disasters in US history

Gauley Bridge, WV 1930-1932 Tunnel construction

Silica content of the rock - >90% >475 workers died

1,500 weredisabled fromchronic silicosis

{169 Afro Americanworkers were buried in

a mass grave in nearby fields.}

View of Hawks Nest tunnel interior, March 13,

1932

Source: The Hawks Nest Incident, CherniakM, 1986


15/34

Silica (Silicon Dioxide - SiO2)

Respirable particles of silica(


16/34

High risk work activities Chipping, drilling, crushing rock

Abrasive blasting Sawing, drilling, grinding,

concrete and masonry and products

containing silica

Demolition of concrete/ masonry

Removing paint and rust with power

equipment

Dry sweeping or air blowing ofconcrete rock sand dust

Jack hammering on concert,

masonry and other surfaces.


17/34

Fibercementmaterials

A new increasinglypopular concrete-likematerial used in roofshingles, panel units,floor underlayments,

backerboards, andsiding.

Strong. durable, moldand weatherresistant, and non-

combustible

Hardiplank [35-45%]crystalline silica

Weatherboard [45-55%]

crystalline silica

WISHAFive out of seven cutters

using circular saws

outdoors on fibercement

siding were overexposed

to ACGIH-TLV for silica.

G D i C t ti


18/34

Green During Construction

Restrict idling of gasolineand diesel vehicles. [Avariety of diesel idling isalready prohibited understate law.]

Implement dustsuppression controls,especially silica controlmeasures, duringconstruction. [RI DEM hasa fugitive dust rule thatrestricts offsitecommunity exposure.]

Reduce exhaust

emissions


19/34

Idling Protocols

In selecting contractors {X. (Hospital, University,Developer) will give preference to thosecontractors who commit to air toxic emissionsreductions strategies such as-

(1) a]Turn offdiesel engineson construction equipment

and trucks not in active use.

(1) b}Turn offgasoline poweredcars, trucks and equipment that

are idling and not in active use.


20/34

Idling Protocols

Locate diesel andgasoline powered

equipment away from

building air intakes, air

conditioners and

windows(sensitive receptors.)


21/34

Dust suppression controls

In selecting contractors {X(Hospital, University,Developer) will give preferenceto those contractors whocommit to air toxic emissionsreductions strategies such as-

Implement dust suppressioncontrols, especially

silica control measures duringconstruction.


22/34


Water spray orwetting measures

has been shown to

reduce respirable

crystalline silica dustduring various

construction operations

worldwide.

General purposesprinklers reduce the re-entrainment of settleddust on roadways and

other areas.

Sweeping compounds reducedust exposures when roomsunder construction are beingswept.


23/34


Implement a site specific landscaping policythat minimizes destruction to standingfoliage, trees etc to reduce both generaldust exposures and limit water runoff.

Environmental Construction Guidelines US Green, SustainableBuilding Technical Manual, Public Technology Inc..

LEED for new construction rating: Create an Erosion

and Sedimentation Control Plan during theconstruction phase, using strategies such as seeding,mulching, earth dikes, silt fencing, sediment traps andbasins.


24/34

Air Quality: Emissions In selecting contractors {X (Hospital, University, Developer) will

give preference to those contractors who commit to air toxicemissions reductions strategies such as

Utilize equipment(stationary and mobile

fleets) that reduceexhaust products (PM,CO, NO etc.)

Best diesel retrofit technology

(per Northeast DieselCollaborative.) (DPFs) thatcontain oxidation catalysts.However, NO2 increases with highly catalyzed filters withon-board regeneration. No problems were found with other

filters.)


25/34

Air QualityEquipment use\ (Only use

portable gasoline poweredgenerators/equipment thathave catalytic converters.)

Electric (battery) equipment in

place of gasoline/dieselpowered equipment. CO levelscan build up rapidly with even a lowhorse power engine. CO canaccumulate rapidly. And diluteventilation (leaving doors andwindows open for example) may beinadequate to prevent COaccumulation. Forklifts,scissorlifts, pumps and floorbuffers are just some examples of

potentially sources of CO.


26/34

Model Contract Protocols In selecting a contractor,

___________will give preference tothose contractors who work towardsbenefiting the surrounding communityand workers and visitors on the siteby reducing particulate matter, dustand silicates, and toxic gases, like CO.

In addition this approach willachieve reductions in greenhousegas emissions.

Construction shall not proceed untilthe Contractor has provided a sitework plan that includes informationon the policies herein.

Costs associated with implementingcontrols shall be included in the

general cost of the contract.


27/34

Model Contract Protocols2]Turn off gasoline combustion

engines on constructionequipment and vehicles not inactive use, and on trucks thatare idling while waiting to loador unload material for fiveminutes or more.

(ExceptionsVehicles being serviced, vehicles making deliveries

that need to keeptheir engines running (topower refrigerators, for example), andvehicles that need to run their engines tooperate accessories;

3} Locate diesel and gasolineequipment away from sensitivereceptors (e.g., standing airintakes for adjacent

structures.)


28/34

Construction ProtocolsApply dust suppression controls Water spray dust control

measures have been shown toreduce respirable crystallinesilica dust during variousconstruction and miningoperations worldwide.

Chipping, drilling, crushing rock Abrasive blasting Sawing, drilling, grinding,

concrete and masonry Demolition of concrete/

masonry

Removing paint and rust withpower equipment Dry sweeping or air blowing of

concrete rock sand dust Jack hammering on concert,

masonry and other surfaces.

Specially designed equipmentremoves respirable-size particlesfrom the air, while generalpurpose sprinklers reduce settleddust on roadways and other areas.Prohibit dry sweeping and usingair pressure spray to cleanup.

To reduce dust exposures, usean appropriate sweepingcompound and assure that thepersons doing the sweepingwear appropriate dust masksand that they are properlytrained in their usage.


29/34

Construction Protocols

All Contractor and Sub-Contractor diesel-powered non-road

construction equipment with engine horsepower (HP) ratings of 60HP and above, which is located or used on the project shall beretrofitted with Emission Control Devices.

The reduction of emissions of particulate matter (PM), Oxides ofnitrogen (NOs) and hydrocarbons (HC) from diesel-poweredequipment shall be accomplished by installing Retrofit Emission

Control Devices and by usingultra low sulfur diesel fuel.

The Emission Control Devicesmust be either includedon the EnvironmentalProtection Agency (EPA)Verified Retrofit TechnologyList(www.epa.gov/otaq/retrofit/retroverifiedlist.htm)or be to be equivalent to the EPA standards.

(Northeast Diesel Collaborative (www.northeastdiesel.org) Diesel Emission Controls InConstruction Projects Model Contract Specification


30/34

Model Construction Protocols

Portable gasoline powered generators should beequipped with catalytic converters.

Use electric/battery equipment in place ofgasoline powered equipment:-

Electric scissorlifts replace gas powered.

Electric heaters replace propane or gas powered blowers.

Gasoline emission reductions can be achieved:


31/34

Supplemental attachments

Reduce Noise

Evaluate toxicity of materials(adhesives, paints, solvents etc]

[Reduce and substitution]

Enhanced safety practices.


32/34

Anybody doing it?

Brown University.

RI Public Transit Agency.

RI Dept of EducationsNECHPS protocol ismandatoryfor any LocalEducation Agencies (LEA)seeking reimbursements ofdesign and construction costs

from the State include theGreen During Constructionproject as part of the matrixthat makes up the NECHPSprotocol.}

The World Health organization[WHO] will be putting Greenduring Construction on theirwebsite.

Pat Brady IBEWL99 andRICOSH was invited to discussthe Green During Construction

program at-"Making Green JobsSafe: Integrating OccupationalSafety and Health into Greenand Sustainability" inDecember 14 - 16, 2009

Sponsored by Centers forDisease Control/NationalInstitute for OccupationalSafety and Health, and USEPA.


33/34

Project partners: {}RI Committee on Occupational Safetyand Health

{} American Lung Association of Rhode Island

Organizations that have facilitated project:US Occupational Safety and Health Administration,

Providence Area Office,International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers L99,United Service and Allied Workers of RI.

Supporters:{}Office of Air Resources, RI Department of Environmental

ManagementGreen Power and Light.

National Coalition on Occupational Safety and HealthRI Diesel Coalition.The Construction Institute Boston MANIOSH /CDC Office of Construction Safety


34/34

Green During ConstructionProject

?QsJames Celenza

RI Committee on Occupational Safety and Health

741 Westminster st

Prov RI 02903

751-2015 [email protected]

1/11/10

Thank you for your attention.

Documents

Green During Construction[1].3_0