Below are key roles and responsibilities for Project Environment Manager (PEM) and Environmental Officer (PEO) applicable for different types and sizes of the projects.
Project Environment Manager reports directly to the Project Manager.
Environment Manager has primary responsibility for managing all aspects of environmental management and compliance for design and construction phase.
Environmental Officer assists the PEM in delivering the following key responsibilities in relation to the Environmental Construction Method Statements (ECMS) are as follows:
Prepare the ECMS and review the ECMS when changes to project design or construction method may affect the project environmental management.
Determine whether proposed project changes are consistent with the project approval, present unacceptable environmental risk or may lead to a non-conformance with the Conditions of Approval.
Develop Work Procedures where necessary in conjunction with site engineers to implement the ECMSs.
Review erosion and sediment control plans and submit to Soil Conservationist for certification.
Conduct regular monitoring of dust emissions and noise and vibration at sensitive receivers.
Undertake regular site environmental inspections to review site management practices.
Participate in site audits undertaken by regulators and the environmental management representative EMR.
Attend Weekly Project Meetings and inform the project team of environmental issues, provide monitoring results and escalate site environmental issues as necessary.
Review Out of Hours Work requests.
Obtain necessary approvals and undertake consultation with regulators and community as per the project environmental management requirements.
Approve clearing as per Pre-clearing Checklist.
Monitor works in sensitive environments, such as water quality and riparian vegetation at creek crossing, construction of fauna fencing and other structures.
Monitor adequacy of environmental controls and progressive rehabilitation works.
Report wildlife injury or death, when threatened species is identified in construction zone.
Develop, revise and conduct the Site Environmental Induction and training materials.
Contract environmental specialist when required for: habitat clearance; vegetation clearing; blasting; vibration monitoring; erosion and sediment control issues, etc.
Authority to suspend work to prevent environmental harm or unacceptable impact on community.
Advise Site Supervisor and report to Project Manager all site environmental management issues.
Provide site staff ongoing advice on environmental issues and incident management requirements.
Report to regulatory authorities as required by the Conditions of Approval, including any non-conformances or incidents.
Conduct random audits of compliance with the ECMS.
Review community information/notification materials regarding environmental management practices and monitoring as required prior to public release.
Work with community relationship management department in the preparation of a environment update for community newsletters and leaflets.
Work with CRM in response to community complaints regarding noise, vibration, dust or traffic issues.
Roles of Community Relations Manager (CRM)
For specific roles and responsibilities of the Community Relations Manager and the community relations team refer to the Community Engagement Strategy of the organization or client.
The key responsibilities of the Community Relations Manager in relation to the ECMS are as follows:
- Manage the Complaints Management System.
- Respond to community complaints.
- Monitor and record complaints.
- Inform the community of construction progress and anticipated works.
- Develop and deliver letterbox drops, local newsletters, leaflets, newspaper advertisements, and community noticeboards for works such as traffic disruptions and controls, construction of temporary detours and work required outside the nominated working hours prior to such works being undertaken.
- Advertise every 3 months in local newspaper the proposed works for the forthcoming 3 months.
- Consult with the community as per the Community Engagement Strategy.
Environmental Job Description of Site Construction Manager (CM)
The Site Construction Manager reports directly to the Project Manager.
Site Construction Manager has primary responsibility for managing all aspects of construction for design and construction phase.
The key responsibilities of the Site Construction Manager in relation to the ECMS are as follows:
Consult with PEM regarding design for progressive works and any design changes, which may affect the project environmental management.
Request PEM revise the ECMS when required.
Review ECMSs.
Advise PEM when Out of Hours work is required.
Approve work procedures where required to implement the ECMSs.
Review work instructions, JSEAs and other construction documentation in light of project environmental requirements and determine when PEM review is also required.
Review site inspections and site audit reports and respond accordingly.
Conduct Weekly Project Meetings with PEM, SE and SS to inform upcoming works, raise site issues including monitoring results and review management measures.
Review community information/notification materials prior to public release.
Inform SS when vegetation clearing may proceed, i.e. when Pre-clearing Checklist has been submitted by PEM to CM.
Review the works program to ensure work is scheduled to minimize impacts on the environment and community, i.e. to time works so that site and community exposure is minimized and to avoid extreme weather.
Suspend or reschedule work due to extreme weather, high winds, total fire bans, and rain events that may result in community impact or cause environmental harm.
Suspend work and notify the PEM when a suspected archaeological items is identified by site staff or when suspected contaminated materials, including acid sulphates soil are encountered.
Monitor site environmental practices, behaviors and culture and initiate changes where required.
Ensure the procurement of appropriate environmental management controls, such as silt fencing, rumble grids, geotextile material, sandbags, straw bales, waste skips, etc. to minimize impact on community and the environment.
Ensure appropriate construction equipment and appropriate trained human resources are allocated to establish and maintain environmental controls as detailed in the erosion and sediment control plan and the ECMS.
Establish strategies and work practices to efficiently manage construction materials (such as spoil) and resources (such as fuels and water) to avoid waste generation, maximize reuse, minimize pollution including greenhouse gas generation and minimize landfill disposal.
Initiate the commencement of progressive site rehabilitation.
Allocate incident response roles and responsibilities to site staff and ensure systems are in place for the management of incidents.
Ensure all incidents are reported to authorities, regulators and the client.
Site Engineer (SE) Roles & Responsibilities
Develop work procedures where necessary in conjunction with PEM to implement the ECMSs.
Conduct regular and random site inspections to review work practices and the environmental impact of construction works.
Routinely check correct versions of the ECMS are on site and sign off by all site employee.
Install site signage where required by the ECMS to manage environmental impact, i.e. minimize speed, avoid wildlife injury, dust and noise generation.
Report to PEM and CM any environmental issues that may warrant additional measures, suspension or rescheduling of works.
Develop ancillary site layouts and identify suitable locations for the stockpiling of materials and spoil, concrete washout, etc. in consultation with PEM and advise site supervisors SS accordingly.
Procure appropriately sized equipment and machinery to minimize fuel/energy demand, minimize exhaust emissions and dust generation.
Monitor weather conditions and ensure weather conditions inform work program and schedule.
Prepare the works program/schedule of works.
Prepare erosion and sediment control plans for PEM review and Soil Conservationist certification.
Ensure design complies with the environmental requirements, and appropriate materials are procured, eg. aggregate size and culvert type and dimension for fish passage at creek crossing, etc.
Identify appropriate changes to work practices in response to community complaints in consultation with CRM.
Review construction updates for community newsletters and leaflets.
Attend Weekly Project Meetings and provide input and feedback regarding site environmental management.
Environment Job Description for Site Supervisor (SS)
Responsible for supervising all construction work and has a direct role in the compliance with identified environmental procedures and controls.
The key responsibilities of the Site Supervisor are to:
Translate the requirements of the ECMS into the job safety and environmental analysis JSEA.
Ensure all site crew have read and understood and signed the JSEA.
Ensure any updates to the ECMS are provided and kept on site and have been signed by site staff.
Oversee site works to ensure conformance to the ECMS.
Report to CM and PEM when suspected archaeological items is identified by site staff or suspected contaminated materials, including acid sulphate soils are encountered.
Consult, inform or seek advice from the PEM in regard to all site environmental issues and incidents.
Attend Weekly Project Meetings and provide input and feedback regarding site environmental management.
Prior to commencement of works ensure environmental controls are as per the erosion and sediment control plan and the ECMS are in place.
Prior to commencement of clearing, ensure the Pre-clearing Checklist has been signed by the PEM and the Ground Disturbance Checklist is signed off by the CM.
Ensure weed infested areas in the construction zone are treated prior to clearing and cross contamination with clean fill is prevented.
Establish clear boundaries, such as fencing for compounds sites, material and spoil stockpiles sites and access tracks to prevent construction encroachment on bushland areas and nearby creeks.
Ensure construction machinery and equipment is well maintained to prevent spills, visible emissions and is not left idling.
Ensure works practices and methods minimize environmental impact by preventing erosion and sedimentation, preventing construction encroachment into bushland, preventing injury to wildlife and prevent pollution of waters.
Change work practices in response to complaints in consultation with SE.
Inform CM and PEM when site works are progressively completed for the commencement of rehabilitation works.
Implement waste avoidance practices, facilitate reuse and ensure appropriate waste removal and disposal from site.