The initial IE QMS approach was described and analyzed through the IE QMS Procedure titled MANAGEMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL TERMS, with code LD-ΑΝΜ-ΚΑΤ-03114.
This procedure focused into defining the activities required for the “Independent Engineer’s monitoring the application of the Approved Environmental Terms and the compliance of the Concessionaire to the Environmental Requirements (CA 18.3.2 (viii) refers)”.
The main environmental requirements are defined in the approved environmental terms, section 11 of the CA, paragraph 2.3 of the Special Conditions of Contract and section 1.6 of DIS/KME as well as various laws and regulations.
The Constructor had to prepare action plans for each major section of the Project. These included instructions and clarifications with regards to the observance of the environmental terms and other environmental requirements. Each applicable issue should be presented in detail along with the general and specific measures intended to deal with the issue.
Also, the Concessionaire had to prepare environmental protection plans for each major section. These were expected to include instructions and clarifications with regards to the observance of the environmental terms and other environmental requirements. The Concessionaire’s plan will take account of the CJV’s Action Plans.
Both above were reviewed by the Independent Engineer for comments and acceptance in principle.
Auditing on Compliance with the Approved Environmental Terms.
Through frequent Inspections of the Implementation of the Approved Environmental Terms, the Independent Engineer focused through a relevant Check List in the following points of concern:
Check that the Constructor performs their own Internal Audits based on the established appropriate Check – Lists, that emergency sampling and checks are carried out, Check of possible modifications due to change of installations or designs, possible corrective actions detected internally and rehabilitated.
Check of existence of separate Permits for the Quarry Areas and Borrow Pits, the Crashing Plants and Materials Washing Plant, Concrete and Asphalt Batching Plant, Vehicles Service and Washing area, Fuel Tanks, Use of Water, Permit of Wastes Disposal, Permits for the Project Machinery.
Also Check on existing Environmental Risk Assessments, Site and other areas Plantation Designs, Noise and Noise Barriers Designs, Fire Fighting Designs, Fencing and Lighting Designs.
Check of the methods followed to collect and dispose Solid Waste materials such as Vehicles’ and Machinery Batteries, Old Tires, urban type of Solid Wastes, Old packaging Materials, Old Electrical & Electronic Materials, other old tanks – containers, etc.
Check of methods followed to collect and dispose Liquid Waste materials such as Minerals, urban type of Liquid Wastes, other Wastes due to Construction activities (Concrete barrels washing, Bentonite etc.), Vehicles Washing area etc.
Check of adapting measures in compliance to the Environmental Terms conditions, to cope with Environmentally Adverse conditions in the cases (indicatively):
Innovative type of Approach
The IE experienced from the early stages of the activities that handling of the surplus and / or unsuitable materials deposits together with the exploitation of the Quarry and Borrow Pits areas were the most important areas of concern to be regularly audited and controlled.
Due to this, a strategy related to the Environmental Controls was implemented, orientated both into Auditing the Constructor compliance with the Approved Environmental Terms and in communicating through special Workshops the relevant requirements for the Constructor compliance.
There were numerous of cases that the IE took the initiative to propose solutions orientating the Constructor either to remove materials deposits or to legalize them indicating methods and procedures of approaching their future exploitation.
Regardless the above proactive approach, all remaining aspects related to the Environment Protection in implementation of the Approved Project Environmental Terms covered a special area of concern when considering the Punch Lists of the Works Completion Certificates.
POSITIVE EXPERIENCE GAINED
Any Major Infrastructure Project may have impacts on the area Environment. It is obvious that the Approved Environmental Terms cannot foresee all impacts, since the Projects’ real conditions bring about a reality that need new measures to be taken.
The Supervisor Consultant Authority must handle the Environment Protection in a way that it both complies with the Approved Environmental Terms and serves the needs of the Project execution.
Whatever are the needs of the Project, they must respect in parallel the needs of a Sustainable Development and this is a continuous process to be implemented, considering all factors, and realizing actions needed to be taken.
