Health and Safety

Run-off can also carry harmful waste such as paints and chemicals which will cause damage to wildlife in waterways, and clog water drainage systems.

On this page:

• preventing run-off
• sediment control
• pollution from concrete, asphalt and bitumen.

Preventing run-off

Methods of preventing soil erosion include:

• avoiding doing earthworks during the wet season
• using the natural ground contours to avoid earthworks if possible
• designing using poles or piles rather than excavations
• using tarpaulins or shotcrete to protect exposed soil
• removing the minimum amount of vegetation possible
• having one stabilised accessway onto the site only
• diverting any water away from earthworks and onto stable ground (e.g. grass, semi-permeable or paved), other than what falls on it as rain
• stabilising bare soil with mulch, paving, planting or grass as soon as possible
• controlling the flow of water with channels or contour drains.

Sediment control

Control sediment run-off with:

• vegetation
• silt fences to screen and filter sediment
• hay or straw bales to trap sediment
• sediment ponds.

Keep silt control devices clear and ensure that cleared material cannot run into waterways or drains.

Pollution from concrete, asphalt and bitumen

Concrete, asphalt and bitumen run-off can be damaging if it gets into waterways. It occurs when:

• new concrete, asphalt or bitumen is laid
• concrete pouring/laying equipment is washed
• concrete is waterblasted to expose aggregate.

Run-off from concrete, asphalt and bitumen must be contained on the site by:

• diverting onto onsite grass or soil
• containment in an appropriate storage tank if possible.

^{Updated: 04 September 2013}