Recognising Contaminants in Soil for 
Construction Site Workers and Managers 

Course Summary 
This Course is for anyone responsible for managing known or suspected contaminated soil issues during Christchurch Rebuild construction projects.  It’s designed to instruct site workers and managers on how to recognise issues in “real-time.” It informs about the purpose and use of Site Management Plans. Trainees will leave confident about when to involve a Contaminated Land Specialist if contamination is encountered or suspected.

Duration - 2 hours

Tutors - Brett Mongillo or Helen Mongillo

Who Should Attend

• Project Engineers
• Construction Managers
• Contractors and Site Workers
• Environmental Managers

Course Objectives

• Learn to recognise contaminated soil or water on the job.
• Know what steps to take when contamination is encountered or thought to potentially be present.
• Discover the impacts of your actions to reduce human health and environmental risks and project costs.
• Understand the rules that apply to construction projects and land development.

Cost 
        Your Location

• $60 per person* (minimum 5 people)
• $50 per person if 10 people or more register at one time.

        Our location, to be determined, as required:

• $80 per person* (minimum 5 people)
• $70 per person if 10 people or more register at one time.

               *Surcharge applies to run a class with fewer than 5 people. 

Contact us for further details.

Register your interest with us today.

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What to Expect 
The course will use a mixture of presentation, group exercise and hands on experience to create an engaging, educational and enjoyable experience for participants.

Participants will learn how to recognise potential contamination issues based on what they may encounter in site buildings, at the ground surface, in trenches or in other excavations. The course then provides a clear path for what to do to manage risks and conform to New Zealand standards and guidelines.

The class will give opportunities for more experienced participants to act in a mentoring role for the more junior members of the class.  This provides a model for site communication - an important factor relating to effective teamwork, documentation and risk management.
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​​Course Content 
The course is informational and highly practical, with emphasis on how New Zealand standards and guidelines should be applied in on-the-job settings. It will cover the following:

Brief regulatory framework - Answers the question of why the course and site actions are needed.  Defines common acronyms and terms such as:

• NES, MfE, HAIL, LLUR, Contamination, Risks

Typical contaminating land uses

• How former land uses (HAILs) are identified
• What if you encounter an underground tanks, pipes or infrastructure
• Identifying demolition contaminants (lead, asbestos, etc.)
• Risks from former industrial land use (timber treatment, railroad sidings, engine repair, etc.)
• Persistent chemicals from horticultural sites – what are the hazards
• Typical chemicals associated with HAILs

Managing contamination risks

• Exposure risks – how you can minimise your exposure to chemicals, and protect others
• How contaminants can migrate and how to prevent this from happening
• When soil sampling is required - when to involve an Contaminated Land Specialist
• Proposed future land use and neighbouring property land use (Industrial, Commercial, Residential, Recreational)

Site Management Plan

• Why it is important
• Documentation “dos and don’ts”

Consequences – Chronic and acute health issues associated with contaminant exposures – stories of the real and serious effects of contamination.

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