Well, my Construction Guide to Health and Wellbeing book has been a long time in the hatching. But it’s here now.
There is a lot of information here – over 200 reference websites and lists of resources that the construction professionals – not just health and safety, but also clients, contractors, supervisors, designers and site agents all use.
The Construction Guide is for anyone who is thinking of working in construction, already works there or in the supply chain. Occupational health professionals and associated disciplines such as hygienists and counselling services will gain insights on how to assist the industry too. This book will answer a lot of your questions.
To whet your appetite – I have included a short extract – the chapter on contaminated land here:
Chapter 13
Contaminated Land
Construction Guide to Health and Wellbeing
The UK has many chemical contaminants in soil, caused by industrial and domestic pollution in the past. Land contamination can pose a threat to the environment and the health of humans, animals and plants with:
- Heavy metals, such as arsenic, cadmium and lead
- Oils and tars
- Chemical substances and preparations, like solvents
- Gases
- Asbestos
- Radioactive materials
Most soil contains small amounts of contaminants, but generally, levels of risk are usually low. However, ex-industrial and landfill sites may pose an unacceptable level of risk to human health and may need remedial treatment before building work begins.
Further Advice and Resources
- Technical and health information available from DEFRA[1] (bit.ly/2s2j3QY)
- Overview of contaminated land (bit.ly/2voeXDo) from Gov.UK
- Land Remediation and Waste Management Guidelines (bit.ly/2gWhNKZ) from Scottish Environment Protection Agency
[1] Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (formerly MAFF)
Construction Guide to Health and Wellbeing
There are forty other chapters from doing the perfect toolbox talk; to information about safety critical workers. In each chapter, there are links to videos and reputable website resources for further explanation. All used by the professionals.
I hope you enjoy it as much as I have enjoyed writing it.
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