Green Construction

What does safety mean to you?

To me, safety encompasses all beings and the place we call home, the Earth. I've learned that safety, for many, is only meant for people. Well, why is that? 

The thing is, when the Earth is harmed, we're harmed. For example, Many people like to eat fish. Isn't it physically harmful to eat contaminated fish? I think so...

That's what the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is for, as well as the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). A few of their values include protecting the public, wildlife, and the environment from harmful human activities.

Why am I rambling about this?

Well, this issue keeps popping up in the construction industry, even in safety culture. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), is a vital entity within the industry. Even more, the safety professionals who are in the field to enforce safety regulations are exceptional people fighting for the safety of family members. Working in safety is an incredible responsibility. It's also tiring, physically and emotionally draining, however, very rewarding. On the other hand, any lack of attention to the littlest detail can result in an enormous fine, jail time, or worse, a fatality. 

To safety professionals, I applaud you.

Nonetheless, environment protection is a predominant issue within the industry. Now, I understand rough conditions within a job site, the time crunch, and the financials. However, job sites are full of chemicals. Interestingly enough, New York City is full of old buildings that contain chemicals such as silica, asbestos, and mercury. During demolitions, these chemicals end up in city streets, the air we breathe, and in the surrounding waters causing harm to wildlife and to the residents of the five boroughs. 

So, when another safety professional approaches me with frustration about a ridiculous fine from the DEP, well, I'm sorry but I cannot empathize with that feeling. These fines are meant for protection. They are meant to get people so upset that they never want to wash their concrete truck in a public street, which I see all the time. If you're not familiar, many concrete trucks are covered in silica after a work day. When the silica is washed into the street, pedestrians are then exposed, as well as wildlife, and the environment. The silica and other chemicals are then washed into the city's drains and end up in our waters. It's a very overlooked practice. 

It's not about protecting a silly fish or a single tree that does nothing for you. It's about protecting that tree or that fish so you can get up and go to work in the morning as a healthy resident of New York City. It's about protecting all of us from chemical poisoning and unhealthy air such as smog.

It's about the bigger picture. 

Photo credit: http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/

Fortunately, green solutions within the construction industry are becoming increasingly popular. Skanska, the fifth largest construction company in the world and one of the companies chosen to work on the new World Trade Center, is a wonderful example of a green construction company. They prove that green construction is cheaper and more advantageous to long-term goals, as well as the planet's sustainability. Regarding their green practices, Skanska explained that,

When we are good stewards of the environment surrounding our projects, we ensure that construction activities don’t foul the water that our communities depend on. When we develop projects to achieve LEED Gold certification or better, we help make sure our growing cities can accommodate more people and a larger built environment by conserving resources. If we help save the planet in the process, all the better. We’ll continue to push the boundaries to get to the next level of sustainable performance like we always have.

As one large company utilizes green solutions, others are sure to follow. Even better, green construction will be in-demand. Although it is a big leap within the industry, it's a good sign to see green solutions developing within construction companies. With that change becoming evident in the industry, safety culture and climate are sure to follow. I look forward to that.

Until next time!

Nala

Interview With An Environmental Consultant

Hello everyone,

I have been fortunate enough to interview someone who is a predominant figure in the Construction Industry, Mrs. Susy Carrieri, CSP. She is known for keeping many workers safe such as Sandhogs and those working in high rises. She's also quite proactive as she audits job sites throughout the East Coast. Although I admire her contribution to safety culture, I couldn't help but notice her extensive experience working with the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). Fortunately, she was more than happy to sit down and speak with me.

Check out the interview below!


Q: What is your official title?

A: I am a Health, Safety, and Environmental Senior Consultant.

Q: What is your role as Senior Consultant?

A: I provide services to construction managers and general contractors so they can implement and enforce safety policy and control negative impacts that construction activities may have on the environment.

Q: What is your experience with the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)?

A: I was at four different DEP facilities that are wastewater treatment plants. One of them, in upstate New York, provides fresh water to three-quarters of New York. The other three processes the waste and cleans the water; they recycle it.

Q: What was your role in these facilities?

A: Basically the job of the consultants, in DEP facilities, is to ensure that workers, employees, and contractors don't get contaminated by pollutants, which is like a cocktail of pollutants. We have to ensure that mold is removed, make sure there are no PCBs that will later affect marine life and wetlands. We also have to stop certain construction activities. Lead and asbestos are another concern because these plants are extremely old, about 100 years average. By having a consultant full-time, s/he can work with different levels of the organization; we can cross lines of supervision. We can sit in a conference with the president and s/he has to respond to concerns we observe. We also work with the workers by training them, guiding them, by assessing how they work, even improving their working conditions. For example, if a worker is exposed to a potential fall, the fall can really be severe because they work around water tanks that process waste. We not only train them to work properly but also force the operations team to implement controls like guard rails.

Q: What is the biggest cause of pollution in the tanks? You mentioned lead and asbestos being a concern.

A: No, no, no. The main pollutant is human waste because that's what the plant is processing. They (the plants) collect from different points of the city. They utilize microorganisms that eat waste and also add components like fluoride. Fluoride later makes the water clean and healthy to drink again.

Q: Obviously we have some ways to go before we (the United States) become a greener country. What kind of optimistic viewpoint do you have on this?

A: Well, wastewater treatment plants are a greener solution to not doing anything. Just imagine third world countries where the water that goes to people for cooking or bathing isn't clean; that spreads diseases. Here, it's a responsibility of the city. 

Q: Would you say that New York has the cleanest water in the country?

A: No one can compare to the water of New York. It's better than water from a bottle.

Q: What kind of advice would you have for people wanting to pursue a career as an Environmental Consultant?

A: First, this job is not for everybody. It takes devotion and understanding of the responsibilities that are greater beyond the self. One can pursue the idea of being clean every day, but if there isn't another person who's willing to sacrifice 8-10 hours a day to clean that water, then that goal, and something we take for granted like washing our hands, cannot be possible. So, it's not for everybody. It takes a special person to work in that department.

Q: What kind of degrees, certifications, or licensing would someone need to pursue a career as an Environmental Consultant?

A: Minimum 10 years experience working in safety positions, like an officer supervising physical exposures such as falls. There are electrocutions because there's a lot of water, a lot of power to mobilize equipment, that's a bad combo ya' know. They (electrocutions) are frequent. Then there's getting crushed by machines and equipment. Also, being struck by moving equipment like cranes.  After you gain your experience, you need to have an education in Industrial Hygiene that exposes you to work experience with PCBs, asbestos, lead, and silica.

Q: This seems like a pretty dangerous and time-consuming job. Overall, did you enjoy your time with the DEP?

A: It's fascinating. If you really want to learn about becoming a consultant in construction, get involved with a DEP facility. You don't have to wear makeup, that's for sure. And, uh, just expect to invest three years of your life and you will become a superb consultant. Um, to answer your question, yes, I did enjoy my time (laughs).

Q: As an environmentalist, do you know about President Trump withdrawing the US from the Paris Climate Accord? If so, what are your thoughts on the US upholding to that agreement without a participating president?

A: Yes, I do know. I believe that climatological changes are beyond the control of one single person, one single entity, one single country. Climatological changes are documented in history, right? It's (climate changes) not a fairy tale. These changes do exist. He (President Trump) can say, in his tweets, whatever. You cannot cover the sun with one finger, not even a Trump finger.

Q: You're pretty optimistic that the people of the US, and all over the world, can come together and make these changes on our/their own. Is that right?

A. Yes, absolutely. I just see history. History is the mother of our next steps in the future. We can see that if we adapt and mobilize, then sanity prevails. 

This was a great experience interviewing someone who is passionate about her work and the work of others. It certainly doesn't sound like an easy job to be a Health, Safety, and Environmental Consultant. Nonetheless, it seems like the reward is far greater than the stress. So, thank you, Mrs. Carrieri, for all that you do. Your work is much-needed for environmental change and safety!

Until next time!

Nala