In a series of case studies published by the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) this week, government and private companies involved in infrastructure construction have shared their experiences in reducing harmful diesel emissions.
The NSW EPA and the Infrastructure Sustainability Council of Australia (ISCA) wanted to impart best-practice approaches to the issue, with the ultimate aim being improved air quality for those who live and work near construction projects.
“Diesel exhaust emissions can have major health impacts on workers and neighbours, so investing in programs and initiatives aimed at reducing these emissions is as important for industry as it is for the community,” EPA chief environmental regulator Mark Gifford says.
“It’s about more efficient and better maintained equipment, fuel and cost savings, and improved environmental performance overall, but most importantly healthier people,” he says. “This is why the EPA is funding ISCA to develop a series of best practice case studies highlighting the benefits to industry and air quality in investing in technologies that reduce diesel emissions.”
Some of the initial responses highlighted actions taken by contractor CPB John Holland Dragados working on the Sydney Metro Northwest project and strategies used by Blacktown City Council and the Downer Group to reduce their diesel emissions.
These actions and strategies include procuring low-emission equipment, retrofitting their existing equipment with diesel emission reduction technology and providing driver awareness training.
“ISCA believes that developing case studies highlighting best practice measures being implemented within the infrastructure industry will lead to greater uptake of cleaner diesel engines and emission reduction technologies,” ISCA business and technical services manager Ainsley Simpson says.
The study is ongoing and the ISCA is seeking further examples from companies with experience in minimising diesel emissions.
The case studies can be viewed and downloaded from the EPA website here.