General EHS Guidelines [Complete version] at: www.ifc.org/ifcext/enviro.

nsf/Content/EnvironmentalGuidelines
Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) Guidelines
GENERAL EHS GUIDELINES: CONSTRUCTION AND DECOMMISSIONING
WORLD BANK GROUP

4.0 Construction and Decommissioning

4.1 Environment.............................................................89
Noise and Vibration ................................................89
Soil Erosion............................................................89
Air Quality..............................................................90
Solid Waste............................................................90
Hazardous Materials...............................................91
Wastewater Discharges..........................................91
Contaminated Land ................................................91
4.2 Occupational Health and Safety................................92
4.3 Community Health and Safety ..................................94
General Site Hazards .............................................94
Disease Prevention ................................................94
Traffic Safety..........................................................95

planned during periods of the day that will result in least

disturbance

Using noise control devices, such as temporary noise

barriers and deflectors for impact and blasting activities, and
exhaust muffling devices for combustion engines.

Avoiding or minimizing project transportation through

community areas

Soil Erosion
Soil erosion may be caused by exposure of soil surfaces to rain
and wind during site clearing, earth moving, and excavation
activities. The mobilization and transport of soil particles may, in

Applicability and Approach

This section provides additional, specific guidance on prevention
and control of community health and safety impacts that may
occur during new project development, at the end of the project
life-cycle, or due to expansion or modification of existing project
facilities. Cross referencing is made to various other sections of
the General EHS Guidelines.

turn, result in sedimentation of surface drainage networks, which

may result in impacts to the quality of natural water systems and
ultimately the biological systems that use these waters.
Recommended soil erosion and water system management
approaches include:

Sediment mobilization and transport

4.1 Environment{ TC "4.1

Environment" \f C \l "2" }

Reducing or preventing erosion by:

o

Scheduling to avoid heavy rainfall periods (i.e., during

the dry season) to the extent practical

Noise and Vibration

Contouring and minimizing length and steepness of

slopes

During construction and decommissioning activities, noise and

Mulching to stabilize exposed areas

vibration may be caused by the operation of pile drivers, earth

Re-vegetating areas promptly

moving and excavation equipment, concrete mixers, cranes and

Designing channels and ditches for post-construction

flows

the transportation of equipment, materials and people. Some

recommended noise reduction and control strategies to consider
in areas close to community areas include:

Lining steep channel and slopes (e.g. use jute matting)

Reducing or preventing off-site sediment transport through

Planning activities in consultation with local communities so

use of settlement ponds, silt fences, and water treatment,

that activities with the greatest potential to generate noise are

and modifying or suspending activities during extreme rainfall

and high winds to the extent practical.

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GENERAL EHS GUIDELINES: CONSTRUCTION AND DECOMMISSIONING
WORLD BANK GROUP

Clean runoff management

Air Quality

Segregating or diverting clean water runoff to prevent it

Construction and decommissioning activities may generate

mixing with water containing a high solids content, to

emission of fugitive dust caused by a combination of on-site

minimize the volume of water to be treated prior to release

excavation and movement of earth materials, contact of

construction machinery with bare soil, and exposure of bare soil

Road design

and soil piles to wind. A secondary source of emissions may

Limiting access road gradients to reduce runoff-induced

include exhaust from diesel engines of earth moving equipment,

erosion

as well as from open burning of solid waste on-site. Techniques to

Providing adequate road drainage based on road width,

consider for the reduction and control of air emissions from

surface material, compaction, and maintenance

construction and decommissioning sites include:

Disturbance to water bodies

watercourse crossings

equipment (water suppression, bag house, or cyclone)

cycles of valued flora and fauna (e.g., migration, spawning,

enclosures and covers, and increasing the moisture content

For in-stream works, using isolation techniques such as

berming or diversion during construction to limit the exposure
of disturbed sediments to moving water

Consider using trenchless technology for pipeline crossings

(e.g., suspended crossings) or installation by directional
drilling

Structural (slope) stability

Providing effective short term measures for slope

stabilization, sediment control and subsidence control until
long term measures for the operational phase can be
implemented

Providing adequate drainage systems to minimize and

control infiltration

Dust suppression techniques should be implemented, such

as applying water or non-toxic chemicals to minimize dust

etc.)

Minimizing dust from open area sources, including storage

piles, by using control measures such as installing

Restricting the duration and timing of in-stream activities to

lower low periods, and avoiding periods critical to biological

Minimizing dust from material handling sources, such as

conveyors and bins, by using covers and/or control

Depending on the potential for adverse impacts, installing

free-spanning structures (e.g., single span bridges) for road

from vehicle movements

Selectively removing potential hazardous air pollutants, such

as asbestos, from existing infrastructure prior to demolition

Managing emissions from mobile sources according to

Section 1.1

Avoiding open burning of solid (refer to solid waste

management guidance in Section 1.6)

Solid Waste
Non-hazardous solid waste generated at construction and
decommissioning sites includes excess fill materials from grading
and excavation activities, scrap wood and metals, and small
concrete spills. Other non-hazardous solid wastes include office,
kitchen, and dormitory wastes when these types of operations are
part of construction project activities. Hazardous solid waste
includes contaminated soils, which could potentially be
encountered on-site due to previous land use activities, or small

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amounts of machinery maintenance materials, such as oily rags,

Wastewater Discharges

used oil filters, and used oil, as well as spill cleanup materials from

Construction and decommissioning activities may include the

oil and fuel spills. Techniques for preventing and controlling non-

generation of sanitary wastewater discharges in varying quantities

hazardous and hazardous construction site solid waste include

depending on the number of workers involved. Adequate portable

those already discussed in Section 1.6.

or permanent sanitation facilities serving all workers should be

Hazardous Materials
Construction and decommissioning activities may pose the

provided at all construction sites. Sanitary wastewater in

construction and other sites should be managed as described in
Section 1.3.

potential for release of petroleum based products, such as

lubricants, hydraulic fluids, or fuels during their storage, transfer,

Contaminated Land

or use in equipment. These materials may also be encountered

Land contamination may be encountered in sites under

during decommissioning activities in building components or

construction or decommissioning due to known or unknown

industrial process equipment. Techniques for prevention,

historical releases of hazardous materials or oil, or due to the

minimization, and control of these impacts include:

presence of abandoned infrastructure formerly used to store or

Providing adequate secondary containment for fuel storage

handle these materials, including underground storage tanks.

tanks and for the temporary storage of other fluids such as

Actions necessary to manage the risk from contaminated land will

lubricating oils and hydraulic fluids,

depend on factors such as the level and location of contamination,

Using impervious surfaces for refueling areas and other fluid

the type and risks of the contaminated media, and the intended

transfer areas

land use. However, a basic management strategy should include:

Training workers on the correct transfer and handling of fuels

and chemicals and the response to spills

protecting the safety and health of occupants of the site, the

Providing portable spill containment and cleanup equipment

surrounding community, and the environment post

on site and training in the equipment deployment

construction or post decommissioning

Assessing the contents of hazardous materials and

Understanding the historical use of the land with regard to

petroleum-based products in building systems (e.g. PCB

the potential presence of hazardous materials or oil prior to

containing electrical equipment, asbestos-containing building

initiation of construction or decommissioning activities

materials) and process equipment and removing them prior

Preparing plans and procedures to respond to the discovery

to initiation of decommissioning activities, and managing their

of contaminated media to minimize or reduce the risk to

treatment and disposal according to Sections 1.5 and 1.6 on

health, safety, and the environment consistent with the

Hazardous Materials and Hazardous Waste Management,

approach for Contaminated Land in Section 1.6

respectively

Managing contaminated media with the objective of

Preparation of a management plan to manage obsolete,

Assessing the presence of hazardous substances in or on

abandoned, hazardous materials or oil consistent with the

building materials (e.g., polychlorinated biphenyls, asbestos-

approach to hazardous waste management described in

containing flooring or insulation) and decontaminating or

Section 1.6.

properly managing contaminated building materials

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WORLD BANK GROUP

Successful implementation of any management strategy may

Implementing good house-keeping practices, such as the

require identification and cooperation with whoever is responsible

sorting and placing loose construction materials or demolition

and liable for the contamination.

debris in established areas away from foot paths

4.2 Occupational Health and Safety{

TC "4.2 Occupational Health and
Safety" \f C \l "2" }
Over-exertion
Over-exertion, and ergonomic injuries and illnesses, such as
repetitive motion, over-exertion, and manual handling, are among
the most common causes of injuries in construction and
decommissioning sites. Recommendations for their prevention
and control include:

Training of workers in lifting and materials handling

techniques in construction and decommissioning projects,
including the placement of weight limits above which

Cleaning up excessive waste debris and liquid spills regularly

Locating electrical cords and ropes in common areas and

marked corridors

Work in Heights
Falls from elevation associated with working with ladders,
scaffolding, and partially built or demolished structures are among
the most common cause of fatal or permanent disabling injury at
construction or decommissioning sites. If fall hazards exist, a fall
protection plan should be in place which includes one or more of
the following aspects, depending on the nature of the fall hazard95:

pounds, when working at heights equal or greater than two

Planning work site layout to minimize the need for manual

meters or at any height if the risk includes falling into

transfer of heavy loads

operating machinery, into water or other liquid, into

Selecting tools and designing work stations that reduce force

hazardous substances, or through an opening in a work

requirements and holding times, and which promote

improved postures, including, where applicable, user
adjustable work stations

surface

support 5000 pounds (also described in this section in

such as job rotations and rest or stretch breaks

Working at Heights above), as well as fall rescue procedures

to deal with workers whose fall has been successfully

Slips and Falls

arrested. The tie in point of the fall arresting system should

Slips and falls on the same elevation associated with poor

materials, liquid spills, and uncontrolled use of electrical cords and
ropes on the ground, are also among the most frequent cause of

Training and use of personal fall arrest systems, such as full

body harnesses and energy absorbing lanyards able to

Implementing administrative controls into work processes,

housekeeping, such as excessive waste debris, loose construction

Training and use of temporary fall prevention devices, such

as rails or other barriers able to support a weight of 200

mechanical assists or two-person lifts are necessary

Use of slip retardant footwear

also be able to support 5000 pounds

Use of control zones and safety monitoring systems to warn

workers of their proximity to fall hazard zones, as well as

lost time accidents at construction and decommissioning sites.

Recommended methods for the prevention of slips and falls from,

95 Additional information on identification of fall hazards and design of protection

or on, the same elevation include:

systems can be found in the United States Occupational Health and Safety
Administrations (US OSHA) web site:
http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/fallprotection/index.html

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securing, marking, and labeling covers for openings in floors,

a turn while moving. Techniques for the prevention and control of

roofs, or walking surfaces

these impacts include:

Struck By Objects

machine operation, and walking areas, and controlling

Construction and demolition activities may pose significant

vehicle traffic through the use of one-way traffic routes,

hazards related to the potential fall of materials or tools, as well as

establishment of speed limits, and on-site trained flag-people

ejection of solid particles from abrasive or other types of power

wearing high-visibility vests or outer clothing covering to

tools which can result in injury to the head, eyes, and extremities.
Techniques for the prevention and control of these hazards
include:

direct traffic

Ensuring the visibility of personnel through their use of high

visibility vests when working in or walking through heavy

Using a designated and restricted waste drop or discharge

equipment operating areas, and training of workers to verify

zones, and/or a chute for safe movement of wastes from

eye contact with equipment operators before approaching the

upper to lower levels

operating vehicle

Conducting sawing, cutting, grinding, sanding, chipping or

chiseling with proper guards and anchoring as applicable

Planning and segregating the location of vehicle traffic,

Maintaining clear traffic ways to avoid driving of heavy

Ensuring moving equipment is outfitted with audible back-up

alarms

Using inspected and well-maintained lifting devices that are

equipment over loose scrap

appropriate for the load, such as cranes, and securing loads

Use of temporary fall protection measures in scaffolds and

when lifting them to higher job-site elevations.

out edges of elevated work surfaces, such as hand rails and

toe boards to prevent materials from being dislodged

Dust

Evacuating work areas during blasting operations, and using

blast mats or other means of deflection to minimize fly rock or

as applying water or non-toxic chemicals to minimize dust

ejection of demolition debris if work is conducted in proximity

from vehicle movements

to people or structures

Dust suppression techniques should be implemented, such

Wearing appropriate PPE, such as safety glasses with side

PPE, such as dusk masks, should be used where dust levels

are excessive

shields, face shields, hard hats, and safety shoes

Confined Spaces and Excavations

Moving Machinery

Examples of confined spaces that may be present in construction

Vehicle traffic and use of lifting equipment in the movement of

or demolition sites include: silos, vats, hoppers, utility vaults,

machinery and materials on a construction site may pose

tanks, sewers, pipes, and access shafts. Ditches and trenches

temporary hazards, such as physical contact, spills, dust,

may also be considered a confined space when access or egress

emissions, and noise. Heavy equipment operators have limited

is limited. In addition to the guidance provided in Section 2.8 the

fields of view close to their equipment and may not see

occupational hazards associated with confined spaces and

pedestrians close to the vehicle. Center-articulated vehicles create

excavations in construction and decommissioning sites should be

a significant impact or crush hazard zone on the outboard side of

prevented according to the following recommendations:

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Controlling site-specific factors which may contribute to

respirators, clothing/protective suits, gloves and eye

excavation slope instability including, for example, the use of

protection

excavation dewatering, side-walls support, and slope

gradient adjustments that eliminate or minimize the risk of
collapse, entrapment, or drowning

Providing safe means of access and egress from

excavations, such as graded slopes, graded access route, or
stairs and ladders

Avoiding the operation of combustion equipment for

prolonged periods inside excavations areas where other
workers are required to enter unless the area is actively
ventilated

Other Site Hazards

Construction and decommissioning sites may pose a risk of
exposure to dust, chemicals, hazardous or flammable materials,
and wastes in a combination of liquid, solid, or gaseous forms,
which should be prevented through the implementation of project-

4.3 Community Health and Safety{ TC

"4.3 Community Health and Safety" \f
C \l "2" }
General Site Hazards
Projects should implement risk management strategies to protect
the community from physical, chemical, or other hazards
associated with sites under construction and decommissioning.
Risks may arise from inadvertent or intentional trespassing,
including potential contact with hazardous materials, contaminated
soils and other environmental media, buildings that are vacant or
under construction, or excavations and structures which may pose
falling and entrapment hazards. Risk management strategies may
include:

Restricting access to the site, through a combination of

specific plans and other applicable management practices,

institutional and administrative controls, with a focus on high

including:

risk structures or areas depending on site-specific situations,

waste materials from tanks, vessels, processing equipment

or contaminated land as a first step in decommissioning
activities to allow for safe excavation, construction,
dismantling or demolition

Use of specially trained personnel to identify and selectively

remove potentially hazardous materials in building elements
prior to dismantling or demolition including, for example,
insulation or structural elements containing asbestos and
Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs), electrical components
containing mercury96

including fencing, signage, and communication of risks to the

Use of specially trained personnel to identify and remove

local community

Removing hazardous conditions on construction sites that

cannot be controlled affectively with site access restrictions,
such as covering openings to small confined spaces,
ensuring means of escape for larger openings such as
trenches or excavations, or locked storage of hazardous
materials

Disease Prevention
Increased incidence of communicable and vector-borne diseases
attributable to construction activities represents a potentially

Use of waste-specific PPE based on the results of an

serious health threat to project personnel and residents of local

occupational health and safety assessment, including

communities. Recommendations for the prevention and control of

96 Additional information on the management and removal of asbestos containing

communicable and vector-borne diseases also applicable to

building materials can be found in ASTM Standard E2356 and E1368

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construction phase activities are provided in Section 3.6 (Disease

Prevention).

Traffic Safety
Construction activities may result in a significant increase in
movement of heavy vehicles for the transport of construction
materials and equipment increasing the risk of traffic-related
accidents and injuries to workers and local communities. The
incidence of road accidents involving project vehicles during
construction should be minimized through a combination of
education and awareness-raising, and the adoption of procedures
described in Section 3.4 (Traffic Safety).

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