Green During Construction

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The goal of the project is to encourage institutions, developers, designers, and professional organizations to adopt a Green during construction pledge to the benefit of the surrounding community, workers and visitors on the site by reducing emissions, particulate matter, dust and silicates, and toxic gases, like CO.

the construction phase.

The Green Building Movement [LEED, Green Global, NEEP High Performance Schools] focuses on energy efficiency and using less toxic products from the

perspective of future occupants of a building.

Our initiative proposes to include air quality issues

while structures are being built, the construction phase.

Disconnect between Green and Safety?

Rajendran (2009) no significant difference in injury rates (LEED vs non-LEED) Gambatese (2009) blind spot in sustainable design practice when it comes to worker safety and health

Health limited mention

IEQ credit 4.1 for Low emitting materials
To reduce the quantity of indoor air contaminants that are odorous, irritating, and/or harmful to the comfort and well-being of installers and occupants
(LEED 3.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4) Construction Air Quality lacks specificity

Green Globes
Green Building Initiative
Addresses dust exposures and diesel fumes Adopted by ANSI [American National Standards Institute] for Commercial buildings

GDC Benefits
Reduce exposure to exhaust products

Reduce Exposure to Dusts/ Silica

Carbon Monoxide Diesel

Reduce site specific production of greenhouse gases (CO2)

Air Quality Issues: diesel exhaust

Diesel exhaust consists of gases and particulate matter (soot).
The gas portion of diesel exhaust contains, nitrogen oxides, sulphur oxides, and PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons). The particulate fraction (PM) of diesel exhaust is mainly elemental carbon, organic material (including PAHs), and metallic compounds. The soot particles or clumps of particles provide surfaces on which the gas chemicals can hitch a ride. As you breathe in these particles the gases go along for the ride.

Air Quality Issues:

diesel exhaust
Prolonged exposure to diesel exhaust probably increases the risk of lung and possibly bladder cancer(?). Diesel exhaust may contribute to other health problems such as asthma and cardiovascular diseases.

Air Quality Issues: gasoline exhaust

Gasoline powered vehicles and equipment produce prodigious amounts of carbon monoxide (CO), a lethal gas . [ Each year

@2,700 CO emergency poisonings (@30 are fatal) from worksites.]

Hypoxia (oxygen starvation) due to acute carbon monoxide poisoning may cause both reversible, short-lasting neurological deficits and severe, often delayed neurological damage, and death.

Air Quality Issues: gasoline exhaust

Gasoline exhaust also contain substances [nitrogen oxides, ozone,] that induce several types of pulmonary toxicity.
Three gasoline emissions {benzene, 1,3 butadiene, formaldehyde -}have been shown each to exceed one in one hundred thousand cancer risk thresholds in Northeast urban areas.

NESCAUM , Evaluating the Occupational and Environmental Impact on NonROAD Diesel Equipment in the Northeast, Mar 2004.

Worksite snapshot
In Colorado, 40% (135) of all workrelated CO poisonings [1985-1995] were related to the use of gasoline-powered equipment [CDPHE
1996].

Seventeen of the 135 workers poisoned lost consciousness during their exposures, and two died.

Many cases were

construction related:

concrete-cutting saws (28 workers), power trowels (15 workers), highpressure washers (14 workers), compressors (10 workers), welding equipment (9 workers).

Air Quality Issues: Dust

Dust consists of tiny solid particles formed by a disintegration or fracture process, such as grinding, crushing, or impact. A wide range of particle size is produced. Particles that are too large to remain airborne settle while others remain in the air indefinitely. General dust levels ( Particulates not Otherwise Classified /Regulated (PNOCR)) at significantly elevated concentrations may induce irreversible changes to airways and loss of functional lung capacity based on pathology investigations and experimental studies.

crystalline silica
300 workers die every year from silicosis, a chronic, disabling
lung disease characterized by the formation of nodules of scar tissue in the lungs in the US.

Hundreds more are disabled and between

3000 and 7000 new cases arise each year.

The industry that leads in premature mortality (years of potential life lost) from silicosis is construction.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified inhaled crystalline silica as carcinogenic to humans (Group 1) IARCs highest designation.

Silica Historical

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 were disabled from chronic silicosis {169 Afro American workers were buried in a mass grave in nearby fields.}

View of Hawks Nest tunnel interior, March 13, 1932 Source: The Hawks Nest Incident, Cherniak M, 1986

Silica (Silicon Dioxide - SiO2)

Respirable particles of silica (<5 in diameter) produced when crystalline silica-containing rock and sand is used or processed Mining, milling, and stone work Quarrying and tunnel operations Foundry and boiler work Sandblasting and drilling Pottery and glass making

Photo: NIOSH Safety and Health Topic: Silica

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 of concrete rock sand dust Jack hammering on concert, masonry and other surfaces.

Fibercement materials
A new increasingly popular concrete-like material used in roof shingles, panel units, floor underlayments, backerboards, and siding. Strong. durable, mold and weather resistant, and noncombustible

Hardiplank [35-45%] crystalline silica Weatherboard [45-55%] crystalline silica

WISHA Five out of seven cutters
using circular saws outdoors on fibercement siding were overexposed to ACGIH-TLV for silica.

Green During Construction

Restrict idling of gasoline
and diesel vehicles. [A variety of diesel idling is already prohibited under state law.]

Implement dust suppression controls,

especially silica control measures, during construction. [RI DEM has a fugitive dust rule that restricts offsite community exposure.]

Reduce exhaust emissions

Idling Protocols
In selecting contractors {X. (Hospital, University, Developer) will give preference to those contractors who commit to air toxic emissions reductions strategies such as(1) a]Turn off diesel engines on construction equipment and trucks not in active use. (1) b}Turn off gasoline powered cars, trucks and equipment that are idling and not in active use.

Idling Protocols
Locate diesel and gasoline powered equipment away from building air intakes, air conditioners and windows (sensitive receptors.)

Dust suppression controls

In selecting contractors {X

(Hospital, University, Developer) will give preference

to those contractors who commit to air toxic emissions reductions strategies such as-

Implement dust suppression controls, especially silica control measures during construction.

Dust suppression controls

Water spray or

wetting measures

has been shown to reduce respirable crystalline silica dust during various construction operations worldwide.
General purpose sprinklers reduce the reentrainment of settled dust on roadways and other areas. Sweeping compounds reduce dust exposures when rooms under construction are being swept.

Dust suppression controls

Implement a site specific landscaping policy that minimizes destruction to standing foliage, trees etc to reduce both general dust exposures and limit water runoff.

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

LEED for new construction rating: Create an Erosion and Sedimentation Control Plan during the construction phase, using strategies such as seeding, mulching, earth dikes, silt fencing, sediment traps and basins.

Air Quality: Emissions

In selecting contractors {X (Hospital, University, Developer) will give preference to those contractors who commit to air toxic emissions reductions strategies such as

Utilize equipment (stationary and mobile fleets) that reduce exhaust products (PM, CO, NO etc.)
Best diesel retrofit technology (per Northeast Diesel Collaborative.) (DPFs) that contain oxidation catalysts.

However, NO2 increases with highly catalyzed filters with on-board regeneration. No problems were found with other filters.)

Air Quality
Equipment use\ (Only use
portable gasoline powered generators/equipment that have catalytic converters.)

Electric (battery) equipment in place of gasoline/diesel powered equipment. CO levels

can build up rapidly with even a low horse power engine. CO can accumulate rapidly. And dilute ventilation (leaving doors and windows open for example) may be inadequate to prevent CO accumulation. Forklifts, scissorlifts, pumps and floor buffers are just some examples of potentially sources of CO.

Model Contract Protocols

In selecting a contractor, ___________will give preference to those contractors who work towards benefiting the surrounding community and workers and visitors on the site by reducing particulate matter, dust and silicates, and toxic gases, like CO.

In addition this approach will achieve reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.

Construction shall not proceed until the Contractor has provided a site work plan that includes information on the policies herein. Costs associated with implementing controls shall be included in the general cost of the contract.

Model Contract Protocols

2]Turn off gasoline combustion engines on construction equipment and vehicles not in active use, and on trucks that are idling while waiting to load or unload material for five minutes or more.
(Exceptions
Vehicles being serviced, vehicles making deliveries that need to keeptheir engines running (to power refrigerators, for example), and vehicles that need to run their engines to operate accessories;

3} Locate diesel and gasoline equipment away from sensitive receptors (e.g., standing air intakes for adjacent structures.)

Construction Protocols
Apply dust suppression controls Water spray dust control measures have been shown to reduce respirable crystalline silica dust during various construction and mining operations worldwide.
Chipping, drilling, crushing rock Abrasive blasting Sawing, drilling, grinding, Specially designed equipment removes respirable-size particles from the air, while general purpose sprinklers reduce settled dust on roadways and other areas. Prohibit dry sweeping and using air pressure spray to cleanup.

concrete and masonry Demolition of concrete/ masonry Removing paint and rust with power equipment Dry sweeping or air blowing of concrete rock sand dust Jack hammering on concert, masonry and other surfaces.

To reduce dust exposures, use an appropriate sweeping compound and assure that the persons doing the sweeping wear appropriate dust masks and that they are properly trained in their usage.

Construction Protocols
All Contractor and Sub-Contractor diesel-powered non-road construction equipment with engine horsepower (HP) ratings of 60 HP and above, which is located or used on the project shall be retrofitted with Emission Control Devices.

The reduction of emissions of particulate matter (PM), Oxides of nitrogen (NOs) and hydrocarbons (HC) from diesel-powered equipment shall be accomplished by installing Retrofit Emission Control Devices and by using ultra low sulfur diesel fuel. The Emission Control Devices
must be either included on the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Verified Retrofit Technology List (www.epa.gov/otaq/retrofit/retroverifiedlist.htm)

(Northeast Diesel Collaborative (www.northeastdiesel.org)

Construction Projects Model Contract Specification

or be to be equivalent to the EPA standards.

Diesel Emission Controls In

Model Construction Protocols

Gasoline emission reductions can be achieved: Portable gasoline powered generators should be equipped with catalytic converters.

Use electric/battery equipment in place of gasoline powered equipment:<>Electric scissorlifts replace gas powered. <>Electric heaters replace propane or gas powered blowers.

Supplemental attachments
Reduce Noise
Evaluate toxicity of materials (adhesives, paints, solvents etc]
[Reduce and substitution]

Enhanced safety practices.

Anybody doing it?

Brown University. RI Public Transit Agency. RI Dept of Educations NECHPS protocol is mandatory for any Local Education Agencies (LEA) seeking reimbursements of design and construction costs from the State include the Green During Construction project as part of the matrix that makes up the NECHPS protocol.}

The World Health organization

[WHO] will be putting Green during Construction on their website.

Pat Brady IBEWL99 and

RICOSH was invited to discuss the Green During Construction program at-"Making Green Jobs Safe: Integrating Occupational Safety and Health into Green and Sustainability" in December 14 - 16, 2009 Sponsored by Centers for Disease Control/National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, and USEPA.

Project partners: {}RI Committee on Occupational Safety and 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 Management Green Power and Light. National Coalition on Occupational Safety and Health RI Diesel Coalition. The Construction Institute Boston MA NIOSH /CDC Office of Construction Safety

Green During Construction Project ?Qs

James Celenza RI Committee on Occupational Safety and Health 741 Westminster st Prov RI 02903 751-2015 Jascelenza@gmail.com
1/11/10

Thank you for your attention.