Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) Guidelines

GENERAL EHS GUIDELINES: INTRODUCTION

WORLD BANK GROUP

Environmental, Health, and Safety
General Guidelines
Introduction
The Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) Guidelines aretechnical reference documents with general and industry-specificexamples of Good International Industry Practice (GIIP) 1. Whenone or more members of the World Bank Group are involved in a
project, these EHS Guidelines are applied as required by theirrespective policies and standards. These General EHS Guidelines
are designed to be used together with the relevant Industry Sector
EHS Guidelines which provide guidance to users on EHS issues in
specific industry sectors. For complex projects, use of multiple
industry-sector guidelines may be necessary. A complete list ofindustry-sector guidelines can be found at:
www.ifc.org/ifcext/enviro.nsf/Content/EnvironmentalGuidelines
The EHS Guidelines contain the performance levels and measuresthat are generally considered to be achievable in new facilities byexisting technology at reasonable costs. Application of the EHS
Guidelines to existing facilities may involve the establishment ofsite-specific targets, with an appropriate timetable for achieving
them. The applicability of the EHS Guidelines should be tailored tothe hazards and risks established for each project on the basis of
the results of an environmental assessment2 in which site-specificvariables, such as host country context, assimilative capacity of theenvironment, and other project factors, are taken into account. The
applicability of specific technical recommendations should be

1 Defined as the exercise of professional skill, diligence, prudence and foresight thatwould be reasonably expected from skilled and experienced professionals engaged
in the same type of undertaking under the same or similar circumstances globally.
The circumstances that skilled and experienced professionals may find whenevaluating the range of pollution prevention and control techniques available to a
project may include, but are not limited to, varying levels of environmental
degradation and environmental assimilative capacity as well as varying levels offinancial and technical feasibility.
2 For IFC, such assessment is carried out consistent with Performance Standard 1,
and for the World Bank, with Operational Policy 4.01.

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based on the professional opinion of qualified and experienced
persons. When host country regulations differ from the levels andmeasures presented in the EHS Guidelines, projects are expectedto achieve whichever is more stringent. If less stringent levels or
measures than those provided in these EHS Guidelines areappropriate, in view of specific project circumstances, a full anddetailed justification for any proposed alternatives is needed as partof the site-specific environmental assessment. This justification
should demonstrate that the choice for any alternate performancelevels is protective of human health and the environment.
The General EHS Guidelines are organized as follows:
1. Environmental
1.1 Air Emissions and Ambient Air Quality
1.2 Energy Conservation
1.3 Wastewater and Ambient Water Quality
1.4 Water Conservation
1.5 Hazardous Materials Management
1.6 Waste Management
1.7 Noise
1.8 Contaminated Land
2. Occupational Health and Safety
2.1 General Facility Design and Operation
2.2 Communication and Training
2.3 Physical Hazards
2.4 Chemical Hazards
2.5 Biological Hazards
2.6 Radiological Hazards
2.7 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
2.8 Special Hazard Environments
2.9 Monitoring
3. Community Health and Safety
3.1 Water Quality and Availability
3.2 Structural Safety of Project Infrastructure
3.3 Life and Fire Safety (L&FS)
3.4 Traffic Safety
3.5 Transport of Hazardous Materials
3.6 Disease Prevention
3.7 Emergency Preparedness and Response
4. Construction and Decommissioning
4.1 Environment
4.2 Occupational Health & Safety
4.3 Community Health & Safety
References and Additional Sources*

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35
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59
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Environmental, Health, and Safety Guidelines

GENERAL EHS GUIDELINES: INTRODUCTION

WORLD BANK GROUP

General Approach to the Managementof EHS Issues at the Facility or ProjectLevel

people or to the environmental resources on which they
depend.
•achieving an overall reduction of risk to human health and the

Effective management of environmental, health, and safety (EHS)

environment, focusing on the prevention of irreversible and / orissues entails the inclusion of EHS considerations into corporate-

significant impacts.

and facility-level business processes in an organized, hierarchicalapproach that includes the following steps:••

or processes that avoid the need for EHS controls.

early as possible in the facility development or project cycle,••

When impact avoidance is not feasible, incorporating

selection process, product design process, engineeringengineering and management controls to reduce or minimize

planning process for capital requests, engineering work

the possibility and magnitude of undesired consequences, fororders, facility modification authorizations, or layout andexample, with the application of pollution controls to reduce

process change plans.

the levels of emitted contaminants to workers or environments.

Involving EHS professionals, who have the experience,•

Preparing workers and nearby communities to respond tocompetence, and training necessary to assess and manage

accidents, including providing technical and financial

EHS impacts and risks, and carry out specialized

resources to effectively and safely control such events, andenvironmental management functions including therestoring workplace and community environments to a safe

preparation of project or activity-specific plans and proceduresand healthy condition.

that incorporate the technical recommendations presented inthis document that are relevant to the project.
•

Favoring strategies that eliminate the cause of the hazard atits source, for example, by selecting less hazardous materials

Identifying EHS project hazards3 and associated risks4 as
including the incorporation of EHS considerations into the site

Prioritizing risk management strategies with the objective of•

Improving EHS performance through a combination of ongoing
monitoring of facility performance and effective accountability.

Understanding the likelihood and magnitude of EHS risks,
based on:o

The nature of the project activities, such as whether the
project will generate significant quantities of emissions or
effluents, or involve hazardous materials or processes;o

The potential consequences to workers, communities, orthe environment if hazards are not adequately managed,
which may depend on the proximity of project activities to

3 Defined as “threats to humans and what they value” (Kates, et al., 1985).
4 Defined as “quantitative measures of hazard consequences, usually expressed asconditional probabilities of experiencing harm” (Kates, et. al., 1985)

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Environmental, Health, and Safety Guidelines
GENERAL EHS GUIDELINES: ENVIRONMENTAL
AIR EMISSIONS AND AMBIENT AIR QUALITY

WORLD BANK GROUP

1.0 Environmental
1.1

Air Emissions and Ambient Air Quality
the spatial characteristic of the source including point sources,

Applicability and Approach ...............................................3
Ambient Air Quality ..........................................................4
General Approach....................................................4
Projects Located in Degraded Airsheds or EcologicallySensitive Areas........................................................5
Point Sources ..................................................................5
Stack Height.............................................................5
Small Combustion Facilities Emissions Guidelines ....6
Fugitive Sources ..............................................................8
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)........................8
Particulate Matter (PM).............................................8
Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS) .........................9
Mobile Sources – Land-based ..........................................9Greenhouse Gases (GHGs).............................................9
Monitoring......................................................................10
Monitoring of Small Combustion Plants Emissions...11

fugitive sources, and mobile sources and, further, by process,such as combustion, materials storage, or other industry sectorspecific processes.
Where possible, facilities and projects should avoid, minimize, andcontrol adverse impacts to human health, safety, and theenvironment from emissions to air. Where this is not possible, thegeneration and release of emissions of any type should bemanaged through a combination of:•Energy use efficiency•

Process modification•

Selection of fuels or other materials, the processing of which
may result in less polluting emissions

Applicability and Approach•This guideline applies to facilities or projects that generate

The selected prevention and control techniques may include one

emissions to air at any stage of the project life-cycle. Itor more methods of treatment depending on:

Application of emissions control techniques

complements the industry-specific emissions guidance presented
in the Industry Sector Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS)•

Regulatory requirements

Guidelines by providing information about common techniques for•

Significance of the source

emissions management that may be applied to a range of industry•

Location of the emitting facility relative to other sources

sectors. This guideline provides an approach to the management•

Location of sensitive receptorsof significant sources of emissions, including specific guidance for•

Existing ambient air quality, and potential for degradation ofassessment and monitoring of impacts. It is also intended toprovide additional information on approaches to emissions
management in projects located in areas of poor air quality, where

the airshed from a proposed project•Technical feasibility and cost effectiveness of the available
options for prevention, control, and release of emissions

it may be necessary to establish project-specific emissions
standards.
Emissions of air pollutants can occur from a wide variety ofactivities during the construction, operation, and decommissioning
phases of a project. These activities can be categorized based on
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Environmental, Health, and Safety Guidelines
GENERAL EHS GUIDELINES: ENVIRONMENTAL
AIR EMISSIONS AND AMBIENT AIR QUALITY

Ambient Air Quality
General Approach
Projects with significant5,6 sources of air emissions, and potential
for significant impacts to ambient air quality, should prevent or
minimize impacts by ensuring that:••WORLD BANK GROUP

additional, future sustainable development in the sameairshed. 12
At facility level, impacts should be estimated through qualitative or
quantitative assessments by the use of baseline air quality
assessments and atmospheric dispersion models to assess
potential ground level concentrations. Local atmospheric, climatic,

Emissions do not result in pollutant concentrations that reachand air quality data should be applied when modeling dispersion,

or exceed relevant ambient quality guidelines and standards9

protection against atmospheric downwash, wakes, or eddy effects

by applying national legislated standards, or in their absence,of the source, nearby13 structures, and terrain features. The

the current WHO Air Quality Guidelines10 (see Table 1.1.1),

dispersion model applied should be internationally recognized, oror other internationally recognized sources11;

comparable. Examples of acceptable emission estimation andEmissions do not contribute a significant portion to thedispersion modeling approaches for point and fugitive sources are

attainment of relevant ambient air quality guidelines orstandards. As a general rule, this Guideline suggests 25

Table 1.1.1: WHO Ambient Air Quality Guidelines 7,8

percent of the applicable air quality standards to allow
Sulfur dioxide (SO2)

5 Significant sources of point and fugitive emissions are considered to be generalsources which, for example, can contribute a net emissions increase of one ormore of the following pollutants within a given airshed: PM10: 50 tons per year(tpy); NOx: 500 tpy; SO2: 500 tpy; or as established through national legislation;and combustion sources with an equivalent heat input of 50 MWth or greater. The
significance of emissions of inorganic and organic pollutants should be established
on a project-specific basis taking into account toxic and other properties of thepollutant.
6 United States Environmental Protection Agency, Prevention of Significant
Deterioration of Air Quality, 40 CFR Ch. 1 Part 52.21. Other references forestablishing significant emissions include the European Commission. 2000.
“Guidance Document for EPER implementation.”
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/ippc/eper/index.htm ; and Australian Government.
2004. “National Pollutant Inventory Guide.”
http://www.npi.gov.au/handbooks/pubs/npiguide.pdf
7 World Health Organization (WHO). Air Quality Guidelines Global Update, 2005.
PM 24-hour value is the 99th percentile.
8 Interim targets are provided in recognition of the need for a staged approach toachieving the recommended guidelines.
9 Ambient air quality standards are ambient air quality levels established andpublished through national legislative and regulatory processes, and ambientquality guidelines refer to ambient quality levels primarily developed throughclinical, toxicological, and epidemiological evidence (such as those published by
the World Health Organization).
10 Available at World Health Organization (WHO). http://www.who.int/en
11 For example the United States National Ambient Air Quality Standards(NAAQS) (http://www.epa.gov/air/criteria.html) and the relevant European Council
Directives (Council Directive 1999/30/EC of 22 April 1999 / Council Directive
2002/3/EC of February 12 2002).

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Nitrogen dioxide (NO2)
Particulate Matter
PM10

Averaging
PeriodGuideline value inµg/m3

24-hour

125 (Interim target-1)
50 (Interim target-2)
20 (guideline)
500 (guideline)
40 (guideline)
200 (guideline)
70 (Interim target-1)
50 (Interim target-2)
30 (Interim target-3)
20 (guideline)

10 minute1-year
1-hour1-year24-hourParticulate Matter
PM2.5

1-year24-hourOzone

8-hour daily
maximum

150 (Interim target-1)
100 (Interim target-2)
75 (Interim target-3)
50 (guideline)
35 (Interim target-1)
25 (Interim target-2)
15 (Interim target-3)
10 (guideline)
75 (Interim target-1)
50 (Interim target-2)37.5 (Interim target-3)
25 (guideline)
160 (Interim target-1)
100 (guideline)

12 US EPA Prevention of Significant Deterioration Increments Limits applicable tonon-degraded airsheds.

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GENERAL EHS GUIDELINES: ENVIRONMENTAL
AIR EMISSIONS AND AMBIENT AIR QUALITY

WORLD BANK GROUP

included in Annex 1.1.1. These approaches include screening

Point Sources

models for single source evaluations (SCREEN3 or AIRSCREEN),

Point sources are discrete, stationary, identifiable sources ofas well as more complex and refined models (AERMOD OR

emissions that release pollutants to the atmosphere. They areADMS). Model selection is dependent on the complexity and geo-

typically located in manufacturing or production plants. Within amorphology of the project site (e.g. mountainous terrain, urban or

given point source, there may be several individual ‘emission

rural area).

points’ that comprise the point source.15

Projects Located in Degraded Airsheds or
Ecologically Sensitive Areas

Point sources are characterized by the release of air pollutants

Facilities or projects located within poor quality airsheds14, andnitrogen oxides (NOx), sulfur dioxide (SO2), carbon monoxide

within or next to areas established as ecologically sensitive (e.g.

(CO), and particulate matter (PM), as well as other air pollutants

national parks), should ensure that any increase in pollution levels

including certain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and metals

is as small as feasible, and amounts to a fraction of the applicablethat may also be associated with a wide range of industrial

short-term and annual average air quality guidelines or standards

activities.

as established in the project-specific environmental assessment.
Suitable mitigation measures may also include the relocation ofsignificant sources of emissions outside the airshed in question,use of cleaner fuels or technologies, application of comprehensive
pollution control measures, offset activities at installations
controlled by the project sponsor or other facilities within the sameairshed, and buy-down of emissions within the same airshed.
Specific provisions for minimizing emissions and their impacts inpoor air quality or ecologically sensitive airsheds should beestablished on a project-by-project or industry-specific basis.
Offset provisions outside the immediate control of the projectsponsor or buy-downs should be monitored and enforced by the
local agency responsible for granting and monitoring emission
permits. Such provisions should be in place prior to final
commissioning of the facility / project.

typically associated with the combustion of fossil fuels, such as

Emissions from point sources should be avoided and controlledaccording to good international industry practice (GIIP) applicableto the relevant industry sector, depending on ambient conditions,through the combined application of process modifications andemissions controls, examples of which are provided in Annex
1.1.2. Additional recommendations regarding stack height andemissions from small combustion facilities are provided below.

Stack HeightThe stack height for all point sources of emissions, whether‘significant’ or not, should be designed according to GIIP (seeAnnex 1.1.3) to avoid excessive ground level concentrations due
to downwash, wakes, and eddy effects, and to ensure reasonablediffusion to minimize impacts. For projects where there are
multiple sources of emissions, stack heights should be establishedwith due consideration to emissions from all other project sources,
both point and fugitive. Non-significant sources of emissions,

13 “Nearby” generally considers an area within a radius of up to 20 times the stackheight.
14 An airshed should be considered as having poor air quality if nationallylegislated air quality standards or WHO Air Quality Guidelines are exceeded
significantly.

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15 Emission points refer to a specific stack, vent, or other discrete point of pollution

release. This term should not be confused with point source, which is a regulatory
distinction from area and mobile sources. The characterization of point sources
into multiple emissions points is useful for allowing more detailed reporting ofemissions information.

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GENERAL EHS GUIDELINES: ENVIRONMENTAL
AIR EMISSIONS AND AMBIENT AIR QUALITY

WORLD BANK GROUP

including small combustion sources,16 should also use GIIP instack design.

Small Combustion Facilities Emissions Guidelines
Small combustion processes are systems designed to deliverelectrical or mechanical power, steam, heat, or any combination ofthese, regardless of the fuel type, with a total, rated heat input
capacity of between three Megawatt thermal (MWth) and 50
MWth.
The emissions guidelines in Table 1.1.2 are applicable to small
combustion process installations operating more than 500 hours
per year, and those with an annual capacity utilization of morethan 30 percent. Plants firing a mixture of fuels should compare
emissions performance with these guidelines based on the sum of
the relative contribution of each applied fuel17. Lower emission
values may apply if the proposed facility is located in an
ecologically sensitive airshed, or airshed with poor air quality, inorder to address potential cumulative impacts from the installationof more than one small combustion plant as part of a distributed
generation project.

16 Small combustion sources are those with a total rated heat input capacity of

50MWth or less.
17 The contribution of a fuel is the percentage of heat input (LHV) provided by thisfuel multiplied by its limit value.

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Environmental, Health, and Safety Guidelines
GENERAL EHS GUIDELINES: ENVIRONMENTAL
AIR EMISSIONS AND AMBIENT AIR QUALITY

WORLD BANK GROUP

Table 1.1.2 - Small Combustion Facilities Emissions Guidelines (3MWth – 50MWth) – (in mg/Nm3 or as indicated)
Combustion Technology /FuelParticulate Matter (PM)Sulfur Dioxide (SO2)

Nitrogen Oxides (NOx)Dry Gas, Excess
O2 Content (%)

Gas

N/A

N/A

200 (Spark Ignition)
400 (Dual Fuel)1,600 (Compression Ignition)

15

Liquid50 or up to 100 if justified by project specificconsiderations (e.g. Economic feasibility ofusing lower ash content fuel, or adding
secondary treatment to meet 50, andavailable environmental capacity of the site)

1.5 percent Sulfur or up to 3.0 percent Sulfur if
justified by project specific considerations (e.g.
Economic feasibility of using lower S content fuel,or adding secondary treatment to meet levels ofusing 1.5 percent Sulfur, and available
environmental capacity of the site)

N/A

N/A

42 ppm (Electric generation)
100 ppm (Mechanical drive)

15

Natural Gas=15MWth to < 50MWth

N/A

N/A

25 ppm15

Fuels other than Natural Gas=3MWth to < 15MWthN/A

0.5 percent Sulfur or lower percent Sulfur (e.g. 0.2
percent Sulfur) if commercially available without
significant excess fuel cost

96 ppm (Electric generation)
150 ppm (Mechanical drive)

15

Fuels other than Natural Gas=15MWth to < 50MWth

N/A

0.5% S or lower % S (0.2%S) if commerciallyavailable without significant excess fuel cost

74 ppm

15

N/A

320

3

2000

460

3

2000

650

6

EngineTurbineNatural Gas=3MWth to < 15MWthIf bore size diameter [mm] < 400: 1460
(or up to 1,600 if justified to maintain highenergy efficiency.)

15

If bore size diameter [mm] > or = 400: 1,850

BoilerGas
LiquidSolid

N/A
50 or up to 150 if justified by environmental
assessment
50 or up to 150 if justified by environmental
assessment

Notes: -N/A/ - no emissions guideline; Higher performance levels than these in the Table should be applicable to facilities located in urban / industrial areas with degraded airsheds or close to ecologically sensitive areas where more
stringent emissions controls may be needed.; MWth is heat input on HHV basis; Solid fuels include biomass; Nm 3 is at one atmosphere pressure, 0°C.; MWth category is to apply to the entire facility consisting of multiple units that arereasonably considered to be emitted from a common stack except for NOx and PM limits for turbines and boilers. Guidelines values apply to facilities operating more than 500 hours per year with an annual capacity utilization factor of
more than 30 percent.

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Environmental, Health, and Safety Guidelines
GENERAL EHS GUIDELINES: ENVIRONMENTAL
AIR EMISSIONS AND AMBIENT AIR QUALITY

Fugitive Sources•WORLD BANK GROUP

Implementing a leak detection and repair (LDAR) programthat controls fugitive emissions by regularly monitoring toFugitive source air emissions refer to emissions that aredetect leaks, and implementing repairs within a predefined

distributed spatially over a wide area and not confined to a specifictime period.18

discharge point. They originate in operations where exhausts are
not captured and passed through a stack. Fugitive emissions havethe potential for much greater ground-level impacts per unit thanstationary source emissions, since they are discharged anddispersed close to the ground. The two main types of fugitive

For VOC emissions associated with handling of chemicals in open
vats and mixing processes, the recommended prevention andcontrol techniques include:•

solvents;

emissions are Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) andparticulate matter (PM). Other contaminants (NOx, SO2 and CO)

Substitution of less volatile substances, such as aqueous•

Collection of vapors through air extractors and subsequent

are mainly associated with combustion processes, as described

treatment of gas stream by removing VOCs with control

above. Projects with potentially significant fugitive sources ofdevices such as condensers or activated carbon absorption;

emissions should establish the need for ambient quality•

Collection of vapors through air extractors and subsequent
treatment with destructive control devices such as:

assessment and monitoring practices.

oCatalytic Incinerators: Used to reduce VOCs fromOpen burning of solid wastes, whether hazardous or non-process exhaust gases exiting paint spray booths,

hazardous, is not considered good practice and should beovens, and other process operations

avoided, as the generation of polluting emissions from this type ofosource cannot be controlled effectively.

gas stream by passing the stream through a combustion
chamber where the VOCs are burned in air at

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)

temperatures between 700º C to 1,300º C

The most common sources of fugitive VOC emissions areoassociated with industrial activities that produce, store, and use

Enclosed Oxidizing Flares: Used to convert VOCs into
CO2 and H2O by way of direct combustion

VOC-containing liquids or gases where the material is underpressure, exposed to a lower vapor pressure, or displaced from an

Thermal Incinerators: Used to control VOC levels in a•

Use of floating roofs on storage tanks to reduce theenclosed space. Typical sources include equipment leaks, open

opportunity for volatilization by eliminating the headspacevats and mixing tanks, storage tanks, unit operations inpresent in conventional storage tanks.

wastewater treatment systems, and accidental releases.
Equipment leaks include valves, fittings, and elbows which are
subject to leaks under pressure. The recommended prevention
and control techniques for VOC emissions associated withequipment leaks include:•

Particulate Matter (PM)The most common pollutant involved in fugitive emissions is dustor particulate matter (PM). This is released during certain
operations, such as transport and open storage of solid materials,
and from exposed soil surfaces, including unpaved roads.

Equipment modifications, examples of which are presented in
Annex 1.1.4;

18 For more information, see Leak Detection and Repair Program (LDAR), at:

http://www.ldar.net

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GENERAL EHS GUIDELINES: ENVIRONMENTAL
AIR EMISSIONS AND AMBIENT AIR QUALITY

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Recommended prevention and control of these emissions sources

programs. In the absence of these, the following approach should

include:be considered:••

Use of dust control methods, such as covers, watersuppression, or increased moisture content for open

operators should implement the manufacturer recommended

materials storage piles, or controls, including air extractionengine maintenance programs;

and treatment through a baghouse or cyclone for material•

Regardless of the size or type of vehicle, fleet owners /•Drivers should be instructed on the benefits of driving

handling sources, such as conveyors and bins;

practices that reduce both the risk of accidents and fuelUse of water suppression for control of loose materials on

consumption, including measured acceleration and driving

paved or unpaved road surfaces. Oil and oil by-products iswithin safe speed limits;

not a recommended method to control road dust. Examples•

Operators with fleets of 120 or more units of heavy dutyof additional control options for unpaved roads include thosevehicles (buses and trucks), or 540 or more light duty

summarized in Annex 1.1.5.

vehicles21 (cars and light trucks) within an airshed should

Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS)
Several chemicals are classified as ozone depleting substancesconsider additional ways to reduce potential impacts
including:o(ODSs) and are scheduled for phase-out under the Montreal
Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer.19 No newalternativesosystems or processes should be installed using CFCs, halons,
1,1,1-trichloroethane, carbon tetrachloride, methyl bromide or

regulations.20

Converting high-use vehicles to cleaner fuels, where
feasibleo

HBFCs. HCFCs should only be considered as interim / bridging
alternatives as determined by the host country commitments andReplacing older vehicles with newer, more fuel efficientInstalling and maintaining emissions control devices,such as catalytic convertersoImplementing a regular vehicle maintenance and repair
program

Mobile Sources – Land-based

Greenhouse Gases (GHGs)

Similar to other combustion processes, emissions from vehicles

Sectors that may have potentially significant emissions ofinclude CO, NOx, SO2, PM and VOCs. Emissions from on-road

greenhouse gases (GHGs)22 include energy, transport, heavy

and off-road vehicles should comply with national or regional

industry (e.g. cement production, iron / steel manufacturing,aluminum smelting, petrochemical industries, petroleum refining,
fertilizer manufacturing), agriculture, forestry and waste

19 Examples include: chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs); halons; 1,1,1-trichloroethane(methyl chloroform); carbon tetrachloride; hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs);
hydrobromofluorocarbons (HBFCs); and methyl bromide. They are currently used
in a variety of applications including: domestic, commercial, and process
refrigeration (CFCs and HCFCs); domestic, commercial, and motor vehicle air
conditioning (CFCs and HCFCs); for manufacturing foam products (CFCs); forsolvent cleaning applications (CFCs, HCFCs, methyl chloroform, and carbon
tetrachloride); as aerosol propellants (CFCs); in fire protection systems (halonsand HBFCs); and as crop fumigants (methyl bromide).
20 Additional information is available through the Montreal Protocol Secretariat
web site available at: http://ozone.unep.org/

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management. GHGs may be generated from direct emissions

21 The selected fleet size thresholds are assumed to represent potentiallysignificant sources of emissions based on individual vehicles traveling 100,000 km/ yr using average emission factors.
22 The six greenhouse gases that form part of the Kyoto Protocol to the United
Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change include carbon dioxide (C02);
methane (CH4); nitrous oxide (N 2O); hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs); perfluorocarbons(PFCs); and sulfur hexafluoride (SF 6).

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GENERAL EHS GUIDELINES: ENVIRONMENTAL
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from facilities within the physical project boundary and indirect

decisions to be made based on the data and the consequences ofemissions associated with the off-site production of power used bymaking an incorrect decision, the time and geographic

the project.

boundaries, and the quality of data needed to make a correct

Recommendations for reduction and control of greenhouse gases

decision.25 The air quality monitoring program should consider
the following elements:

include:•Carbon financing;23•

Enhancement of energy efficiency (see section on•

should reflect the pollutants of concern associated withproject processes. For combustion processes, indicator‘Energy Conservation’);•parameters typically include the quality of inputs, such as theProtection and enhancement of sinks and reservoirs of

sulfur content of fuel.

greenhouse gases;•

Promotion of sustainable forms of agriculture andMonitoring parameters: The monitoring parameters selected•

Baseline calculations: Before a project is developed, baseline

forestry;

air quality monitoring at and in the vicinity of the site should

Promotion, development and increased use of

be undertaken to assess background levels of key pollutants,

renewable forms of energy;

in order to differentiate between existing ambient conditions•

Carbon capture and storage technologies;24

and project-related impacts.

•

Limitation and / or reduction of methane emissions••

Monitoring type and frequency: Data on emissions andthrough recovery and use in waste management, as wellambient air quality generated through the monitoring program

as in the production, transport and distribution of energy

should be representative of the emissions discharged by the(coal, oil, and gas).

project over time. Examples of time-dependent variations in
the manufacturing process include batch process

Monitoring

manufacturing and seasonal process variations. Emissions

Emissions and air quality monitoring programs provide informationfrom highly variable processes may need to be sampledthat can be used to assess the effectiveness of emissions

more frequently or through composite methods. Emissions

management strategies. A systematic planning process ismonitoring frequency and duration may also range fromrecommended to ensure that the data collected are adequate forcontinuous for some combustion process operating

their intended purposes (and to avoid collecting unnecessary

parameters or inputs (e.g. the quality of fuel) to less frequent,data). This process, sometimes referred to as a data quality
objectives process, defines the purpose of collecting the data, the23 Carbon financing as a carbon emissions reduction strategy may include the hostgovernment-endorsed Clean Development Mechanism or Joint Implementation of
the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
24 Carbon dioxide capture and storage (CCS) is a process consisting of theseparation of CO2 from industrial and energy-related sources; transport to a
storage location; and long-term isolation from the atmosphere, for example ingeological formations, in the ocean, or in mineral carbonates (reaction of CO2 withmetal oxides in silicate minerals to produce stable carbonates). It is the object ofintensive research worldwide (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change(IPCC), Special Report, Carbon Dioxide Capture and Storage (2006).

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monthly, quarterly or yearly stack tests.
•

Monitoring locations: Ambient air quality monitoring may
consists of off-site or fence line monitoring either by the
project sponsor, the competent government agency, or bycollaboration between both. The location of ambient air

25 See, for example, United States Environmental Protection Agency, Guidance on
Systematic Planning Using the Data Quality Objectives Process EPA QA/G-4,
EPA/240/B-06/001 February 2006.

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Environmental, Health, and Safety Guidelines
GENERAL EHS GUIDELINES: ENVIRONMENTAL
AIR EMISSIONS AND AMBIENT AIR QUALITY
quality monitoring stations should be established based onoconsistently and significantly better than the required

estimate potential impact to the receiving airshed from anlevels, frequency of Annual Stack Emission Testing canemissions source taking into consideration such aspects as

be reduced from annual to every two or three years.
oprevailing wind directions.

Emission Monitoring: None

Boilers with capacities between =20 MWth and < 50 MWthSampling and analysis methods: Monitoring programs shouldoAnnual Stack Emission Testing: SO2, NOx and PM. For

apply national or international methods for sample collection

gaseous fuel-fired boilers, only NOx. SO2 can be

and analysis, such as those published by the International

calculated based on fuel quality certification (if no SO2Organization for Standardization,26 the European Committee

control equipment is used)

for Standardization,27 or the U.S. Environmental ProtectionoEmission Monitoring: SO2. Plants with SO2 control

Agency.28 Sampling should be conducted by, or under, theequipment: Continuous. NOx: Continuous monitoring ofsupervision of trained individuals. Analysis should beeither NOx emissions or indicative NOx emissions using

conducted by entities permitted or certified for this purpose.

combustion parameters. PM: Continuous monitoring of

Sampling and analysis Quality Assurance / Quality Control

either PM emissions, opacity, or indicative PM(QA/QC) plans should be applied and documented to ensure

emissions using combustion parameters / visualthat data quality is adequate for the intended data use (e.g.,monitoring.

method detection limits are below levels of concern).

•

Monitoring reports should include QA/QC documentation.

Additional recommended monitoring approaches forturbines:o

Monitoring of Small Combustion Plants Emissions•

If Annual Stack Emission Testing demonstrates results

the results of scientific methods and mathematical models tothe location of potentially affected communities and•WORLD BANK GROUP

Annual Stack Emission Testing: NOx and SO2 (NOxonly for gaseous fuel-fired turbines).

Additional recommended monitoring approaches for boilers:o

If Annual Stack Emission Testing results show

Boilers with capacities between =3 MWth and < 20 MWth:constantly (3 consecutive years) and significantly (e.g.

Annual Stack Emission Testing: SO2, NOx and PM. Forless than 75 percent) better than the required levels,

gaseous fuel-fired boilers, only NOx. SO2 can befrequency of Annual Stack Emission Testing can becalculated based on fuel quality certification if no SO2

reduced from annual to every two or three years.

ocontrol equipment is used.

o

Emission Monitoring: NOx: Continuous monitoring ofeither NOx emissions or indicative NOx emissions using
combustion parameters.SO2: Continuous monitoring if

26 An on-line catalogue of ISO standards relating to the environment, healthprotection, and safety is available at:
http://www.iso.org/iso/en/CatalogueListPage.CatalogueList?ICS1=13&ICS2=&ICS
3=&scopelist=
27 An on-line catalogue of European Standards is available at:

http://www.cen.eu/catweb/cwen.htm .
28 The National Environmental Methods Index provides a searchable
clearinghouse of U.S. methods and procedures for both regulatory and nonregulatory monitoring purposes for water, sediment, air and tissues, and isavailable at http://www.nemi.gov/.

APRIL 30, 2007

SO2 control equipment is used.
•

Additional recommended monitoring approaches forengines:oAnnual Stack Emission Testing: NOx ,SO2 and PM (NOxonly for gaseous fuel-fired diesel engines).

11

Environmental, Health, and Safety Guidelines
GENERAL EHS GUIDELINES: ENVIRONMENTAL
AIR EMISSIONS AND AMBIENT AIR QUALITYoWORLD BANK GROUP

If Annual Stack Emission Testing results show
constantly (3 consecutive years) and significantly (e.g.
less than 75 percent) better than the required levels,
frequency of Annual Stack Emission Testing can be
reduced from annual to every two or three years.

oEmission Monitoring: NOx: Continuous monitoring ofeither NOx emissions or indicative NOx emissions using
combustion parameters. SO2: Continuous monitoring if
SO2 control equipment is used. PM: Continuous
monitoring of either PM emissions or indicative PMemissions using operating parameters.

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Environmental, Health, and Safety Guidelines
GENERAL EHS GUIDELINES: ENVIRONMENTAL
AIR EMISSIONS AND AMBIENT AIR QUALITY

WORLD BANK GROUP

Annex 1.1.1 – Air Emissions Estimation and Dispersion
Modeling Methods
The following is a partial list of documents to aid in the estimationof air emissions from various processes and air dispersion
models:Australian Emission Estimation Technique Manuals
http://www.npi.gov.au/handbooks/
Atmospheric Emission Inventory Guidebook, UN / ECE / EMEP
and the European Environment Agency
http://www.aeat.co.uk/netcen/airqual/TFEI/unece.htm
Emission factors and emission estimation methods, US EPA
Office of Air Quality Planning & Standards
http://www.epa.gov/ttn/chief
Guidelines on Air Quality Models (Revised), US Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA), 2005
http://www.epa.gov/scram001/guidance/guide/appw_05.pdf
Frequently Asked Questions, Air Quality Modeling andAssessment Unit (AQMAU), UK Environment Agency
http://www.environmentagency.gov.uk/subjects/airquality/236092/?version=1&lang=_eOECD Database on Use and Release of Industrial Chemicals
http://www.olis.oecd.org/ehs/urchem.nsf/

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Environmental, Health, and Safety Guidelines
GENERAL EHS GUIDELINES: ENVIRONMENTAL
AIR EMISSIONS AND AMBIENT AIR QUALITY

WORLD BANK GROUP

Annex 1.1.2 – Illustrative Point Source Air Emissions Prevention and Control Technologies
Principal Sources and Issues

General Prevention / Process
Modification Approach

Control Options

Reduction
Efficiency (%)

Gas
Condition

Comments

Fabric Filters

99 - 99.7%

Dry gas, temp
<400F

Applicability depends on flue gas properties including temperature, chemical
properties, abrasion and load. Typical air to cloth ratio range of 2.0 to 3.5 cfm/ft2

Particulate Matter (PM)Main sources are the combustion of fossil
fuels and numerous manufacturing processes
that collect PM through air extraction andventilation systems. Volcanoes, ocean spray,
forest fires and blowing dust (most prevalent
in dry and semiarid climates) contribute tobackground levels.

Fuel switching (e.g. selection of lower sulfur
fuels) or reducing the amount of fineparticulates added to a process.

Achievable outlet concentrations of 23 mg/Nm 3
Electrostatic
Precipitator (ESP)

97 – 99%

Variesdepending ofparticle type

Cyclone74 – 95%

None

Most efficient for large particles. Achievable outlet concentrations of 30 - 40
mg/Nm 3

Wet Scrubber

93 – 95%

None

Wet sludge may be a disposal problem depending on local infrastructure.
Achievable outlet concentrations of 30 - 40 mg/Nm3

Fuel Switching>90%

Alternate fuels may include low sulfur coal, light diesel or natural gas withconsequent reduction in particulate emissions related to sulfur in the fuel. Fuelcleaning or beneficiation of fuels prior to combustion is another viable option but
may have economic consequences.

Sorbent Injection

30% - 70%

Calcium or lime is injected into the flue gas and the SO2 is adsorbed onto thesorbent

Dry Flue Gas
Desulfurization

70%-90%Can be regenerable or throwaway.

Wet Flue Gas
Desulfurization>90%

Produces gypsum as a by-productPrecondition gas to remove large particles. Efficiency dependent on resistivity ofparticle. Achievable outlet concentration of 23 mg/Nm3

Sulfur Dioxide (SO2)Mainly produced by the combustion of fuelssuch as oil and coal and as a by-product fromsome chemical production or wastewater
treatment processes.

APRIL 30, 2007

Control system selection is heavily
dependent on the inlet concentration. For
SO2 concentrations in excess of 10%, thestream is passed through an acid plant not
only to lower the SO2 emissions but also to
generate high grade sulfur for sale. Levels
below 10% are not rich enough for thisprocess and should therefore utilize
absorption or ‘scrubbing,’ where SO2
molecules are captured into a liquid phaseor adsorption, where SO2 molecules arecaptured on the surface of a solid
adsorbent.

14

Environmental, Health, and Safety Guidelines
GENERAL EHS GUIDELINES: ENVIRONMENTAL
AIR EMISSIONS AND AMBIENT AIR QUALITY

WORLD BANK GROUP

Annex 1.1.2: Illustrative Point Source Air Emissions Prevention and Control Technologies (continued)
Oxides of Nitrogen (NOx)
Associated with combustion of fuel.
May occur in several forms of nitrogenoxide; namely nitric oxide (NO),nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and nitrous
oxide (N2O), which is also agreenhouse gas. The term NOx
serves as a composite between NO
and NO2 and emissions are usuallyreported as NOx. Here the NO ismultiplied by the ratio of molecularweights of NO2 to NO and added to
the NO2 emissions.
Means of reducing NOx emissions are
based on the modification of operating
conditions such as minimizing theresident time at peak temperatures,
reducing the peak temperatures by
increasing heat transfer rates orminimizing the availability of oxygen.

Percent Reduction by Fuel Type

Comments

Combustion modification(Illustrative of boilers)

Coal

Oil

Gas

Low-excess-air firing

10–30

10–30

10–30

Staged Combustion

20–50

20–50

20–50

Flue Gas Recirculation

N/A

20–50

20–50

Water/Steam Injection

N/A

10–50

N/A.

Low-NOx Burners

30–40

30–40

30–40

Flue Gas Treatment

Coal

Oil

Gas

Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR)

60–90

60–90

60–90

Selective Non-Catalytic Reduction(SNCR)

N/A

30–70

30–70

These modifications are capable of reducing NOx emissions by 50
to 95%. The method of combustion control used depends on thetype of boiler and the method of firing fuel.

Flue gas treatment is more effective in reducing NOx emissions
than are combustion controls. Techniques can be classified as
SCR, SNCR, and adsorption. SCR involves the injection ofammonia as a reducing agent to convert NOx to nitrogen in thepresence of a catalyst in a converter upstream of the air heater.
Generally, some ammonia slips through and is part of theemissions. SNCR also involves the injection of ammonia or urea
based products without the presence of a catalyst.

Note: Compiled by IFC based on inputs from technical experts.

APRIL 30, 200715

Environmental, Health, and Safety Guidelines
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AIR EMISSIONS AND AMBIENT AIR QUALITY
Annex 1.1.3 - Good International Industry Practice (GIIP)

WORLD BANK GROUP

Annex 1.1.4 - Examples of VOC Emissions Controls

Stack Height(Based on United States 40 CFR, part 51.100 (ii)).
HG = H + 1.5L; where

Equipment Type

Modification

HG = GEP stack height measured from the ground levelelevation at the base of the stack

Approximate
Control
Efficiency(%)

Seal-less design

10029

Closed-vent system

9030

Dual mechanical seal
with barrier fluid
maintained at a higher
pressure than the
pumped fluid100

Closed-vent system

90

Dual mechanical seal
with barrier fluid
maintained at a higher
pressure than thecompressed gas

100

Closed-vent system

Variable31

Rupture disk assembly100

ValvesSeal-less design

100

Connectors

Weld together

100

Open-ended Lines

Blind, cap, plug, or
second valve

100

Sampling Connections

Closed-loop sampling100

H = Height of nearby structure(s) above the base of thestack.
L = Lesser dimension, height (h) or width (w), of nearby

Pumps

structures“Nearby structures” = Structures within/touching a radiusof 5L but less than 800 m.

Projected width (w)Compressors

Stack

Pressure Relief Devices

1.5*L
HG

h
H

Maximum 5*L

Note: Examples of technologies are provided for illustrative purposes.
The availability and applicability of any particular technology will varydepending on manufacturer specifications.

29 Seal-less equipment can be a large source of emissions in the event ofequipment failure.
30 Actual efficiency of a closed-vent system depends on percentage of vapors
collected and efficiency of control device to which the vapors are routed.
31 Control efficiency of closed vent-systems installed on a pressure relief
device may be lower than other closed-vent systems.

APRIL 30, 2007

16

Environmental, Health, and Safety Guidelines
GENERAL EHS GUIDELINES: ENVIRONMENTAL
AIR EMISSIONS AND AMBIENT AIR QUALITY

WORLD BANK GROUP

Annex 1.1.5 - Fugitive PM Emissions Controls

Control Type

Control
Efficiency

Chemical Stabilization

0% - 98%

Hygroscopic salts
Bitumens/adhesives

60% - 96%

Surfactants

0% - 68%

Wet Suppression – Watering

12% - 98%

Speed Reduction

0% - 80%

Traffic Reduction

Not quantified

Paving (Asphalt / Concrete)

85% - 99%

Covering with Gravel, Slag, or "Road
Carpet"30% - 50%

Vacuum Sweeping

0% - 58%

Water Flushing/Broom Sweeping

0% - 96%APRIL 30, 200717

Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) Guidelines
GENERAL EHS GUIDELINES: ENVIRONMENTAL
ENERGY CONSERVATIONWORLD BANK GROUP

1.2 Energy Conservation
should also evaluate energy conservation opportunities arising
Applicability and Approach .............................................18
Energy Management Programs...............................18
Energy Efficiency....................................................18
Process Heating.............................................................19
Heating Load Reduction .........................................19
Heat Distribution Systems.......................................19
Energy Conversion System Efficiency Improvements20
Process Cooling.............................................................20
Load Reduction......................................................21
Energy Conversion.................................................21
Refrigerant Compression Efficiency ........................23
Refrigeration System Auxiliaries..............................23
Compressed Air Systems...............................................24
Load reduction .......................................................24
Distribution.............................................................24

from manufacturing process modifications.

Energy Management Programs
Energy management programs should include the following
elements:•

principal energy flows within a facility at unit process level•

Preparation of mass and energy balance;•

Definition and regular review of energy performancetargets, which are adjusted to account for changes in major
influencing factors on energy use•

taken to reduce energy use

This guideline applies to facilities or projects that consume•

appropriate levels

systems and heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems
specific emissions guidance presented in the Industry Sector
Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) Guidelines by
providing information about common techniques for energy
conservation that may be applied to a range of industry sectors.
Energy management at the facility level should be viewed in thecontext of overall consumption patterns, including those
associated with production processes and supporting utilities, as

Regular review of targets, which may include comparison
with benchmark data, to confirm that targets are set atsystems, such as motors, pumps, and fans; compressed air(HVAC); and lighting systems. It complements the industry-

Regular comparison and monitoring of energy flows withperformance targets to identify where action should be

Applicability and Approachenergy in process heating and cooling; process and auxiliary

Identification, and regular measurement and reporting ofEnergy Efficiency
For any energy-using system, a systematic analysis of energy
efficiency improvements and cost reduction opportunities should
include a hierarchical examination of opportunities to:•

Demand/Load Side Management by reducing loads on theenergy system•

Supply Side Management by:well as overall impacts associated with emissions from poweroReduce losses in energy distribution

sources. The following section provides guidance on energyoImprove energy conversion efficiency

management with a focus on common utility systems oftenoExploit energy purchasing opportunities

representing technical and financially feasible opportunities foro

Use lower-carbon fuels

improvement in energy conservation. However, operations

APRIL 30, 200718

Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) Guidelines
GENERAL EHS GUIDELINES: ENVIRONMENTAL
ENERGY CONSERVATION
Common opportunities in each of these areas are summarizedWORLD BANK GROUP•

Process Heating

Review opportunities to schedule work flow to limit theneed for process reheating between stages

below.32•

Operate furnaces/ovens at slight positive pressure, andmaintain air seals to reduce air in-leakage into the heated

Process heating is vital to many manufacturing processes,

system, thereby reducing the energy required to heatincluding heating for fluids, calcining, drying, heat treating, metal

unnecessary air to system operating temperature

heating, melting, melting agglomeration, curing, and forming33.

•

Reduce radiant heat losses by sealing structural openings
and keep viewing ports closed when not in use

In process heating systems, a system heat and mass balance
will show how much of the system’s energy input provides true
process heating, and quantify fuel used to satisfy energy losses
caused by excessive parasitic loads, distribution, or conversion•

operating capacity•

following techniques are often valuable and cost-effective.

Heating Load Reduction•

Ensure adequate insulation to reduce heat losses throughfurnace/oven etc. structure•

Recover heat from hot process or exhaust streams to
reduce system loads•••

In intermittently-heated systems, consider use of low

Consider use of high emissivity coatings of hightemperature insulation, and consequent reduction inlosses. Examination of savings opportunities should be directedby the results of the heat and mass balance, though the

Where possible, use the system for long runs close to or atprocess temperature•

Near net weight and shape heat designs•

Robust Quality assurance on input material•

Robust Scheduled maintenance programs

Heat Distribution Systems
Heat distribution in process heating applications typically takes
place through steam, hot water, or thermal fluid systems.
Losses can be reduced through the following actions:

thermal mass insulation to reduce energy required to heat•

Promptly repair distribution system leaks

the system structure to operating temperature•

Avoid steam leaks despite a perceived need to get steam

Control process temperature and other parameters

through the turbine. Electricity purchase is usually cheaper

accurately to avoid, for example, overheating or overdrying

overall, especially when the cost to treat turbine-quality

Examine opportunities to use low weight and/or low

boiler feed water is included. If the heat-power ratio of thethermal mass product carriers, such as heated shapers,

distribution process is less than that of power systems,

kiln cars etc.

opportunities should be considered to increase the ratio; forexample, by using low-pressure steam to drive absorption

Additional guidance on energy efficiency is available from sources such as
Natural Resources Canada (NRCAN
http://oee.nrcan.gc.ca/commercial/financial-assistance/newbuildings/mnecb.cfm?attr=20); the European Union (EUROPA.
http://europa.eu.int/scadplus/leg/en/s15004.htm ), and United States Departmentof Energy (US DOE,
http://www.eere.energy.gov/consumer/industry/process.html).

cooling systems rather than using electrically-driven vapor-32

compression systems.
•

Regularly verify correct operation of steam traps in steam
systems, and ensure that traps are not bypassed. Since

33 US DOE. http://www.eere.energy.gov/consumer/industry/process.html

APRIL 30, 2007

19

Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) Guidelines
GENERAL EHS GUIDELINES: ENVIRONMENTAL
ENERGY CONSERVATION
steam traps typically last approximately 5 years, 20%••

gases should be no more than 20 K above steam

Insulate distribution system vessels, such as hot wells andtemperature)•from flue gases to pre-heat boiler feed water or combustion

Insulate all steam, condensate, hot water and thermal fluid

air•diameter pipe, in addition to insulating all hot valves andflanges•

Adopt automatic (continuous) boiler blowdown

In steam systems, return condensate to the boiler house•

Recover heat from blowdown systems through flash steam

water and valuable beyond its heat content alone•

recovery or feed-water preheat•

Use flash steam recovery systems to reduce losses due toevaporation of high-pressure condensate•

Do not supply excessive quantities of steam to the deaerator•

With fired heaters, consider opportunities to recover heat toConsider steam expansion through a back-pressure turbine

combustion air through the use of recuperative or

rather than reducing valve stations

regenerative burner systems

Eliminate distribution system losses by adopting point-of-•use heating systems

Energy Conversion System Efficiency
Improvements
The following efficiency opportunities should be examined forprocess furnaces or ovens, and utility systems, such as boilers
and fluid heaters:•

Consider reverse osmosis or electrodialysis feed water
treatment to minimize the requirement for boiler blowdown

for re-use, since condensate is expensive boiler-quality•

In steam boiler systems, use economizers to recover heatwater storage tanks
distribution pipework, down to and including 1” (25 mm)•

Maintain clean heat transfer surfaces; in steam boilers, flue

should be replaced or repaired annuallyde-aerators, in steam systems and thermal fluid or hot•

WORLD BANK GROUP

Regularly monitor CO, oxygen or CO2 content of flue

For systems operating for extended periods (> 6000
hours/year), cogeneration of electrical power, heat and /orcooling can be cost effective•

Oxy Fuel burners•

Oxygen enrichment/injection•

Use of turbolators in boilers•

Sizing design and use of multiple boilers for different loadconfigurations•

Fuel quality control/fuel blendinggases to verify that combustion systems are using the••minimum practical excess air volumes

Process CoolingConsider combustion automation using oxygen-trim

The general methodology outlined above should be applied tocontrols

process cooling systems. Commonly used and cost-effective

Minimize the number of boilers or heaters used to meetmeasures to improve process cooling efficiency are describedloads. It is typically more efficient to run one boiler at 90%

below.

of capacity than two at 45%. Minimize the number ofboilers kept at hot–standby•

Use flue dampers to eliminate ventilation losses from hot
boilers held at standby

APRIL 30, 200720

Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) Guidelines
GENERAL EHS GUIDELINES: ENVIRONMENTAL
ENERGY CONSERVATIONWORLD BANK GROUP

Load ReductionoPlanting trees as thermal shields around buildings•oInstalling timers and/or thermostats and/or

Ensure adequate insulation to reduce heat gains throughenthalpy-based control systems

cooling system structure and to below-ambient temperatureorefrigerant pipes and vessels•

Control process temperature accurately to avoid
overcooling•

Operate cooling tunnels at slight positive pressure andmaintain air seals to reduce air in-leakage into the cooledsystem, thus reducing the energy required to cool thisunnecessary air to system operating temperature•

Examine opportunities to pre-cool using heat recovery to aprocess stream requiring heating, or by using a higher
temperature cooling utility•

In cold and chill stores, minimize heat gains to the cooled
space by use of air curtains, entrance vestibules, or rapidly
opening/closing doors. Where conveyors carry products
into chilled areas, minimize the area of transfer openings,
for example, by using strip curtains•

Energy Conversion
The efficiency of refrigeration service provision is normally
discussed in terms of Coefficient of Performance (“COP”), whichis the ratio of cooling duty divided by input power. COP is
maximized by effective refrigeration system design andincreased refrigerant compression efficiency, as well as
minimization of the temperature difference through which thesystem works and of auxiliary loads (i.e. those in addition tocompressor power demand) used to operate the refrigeration
system.
System Design•

provided by cooling towers or dry air coolers, may be

example, those due to evaporator fans, other machinery,

appropriate, perhaps supplemented by refrigeration in

defrost systems and lighting in cooled spaces, circulation(e.g. chilled water, brines, glycols)•

Do not use refrigeration for auxiliary cooling duties, such ascompressor cylinder head or oil cooling•

While not a thermal load, ensure there is no gas bypass ofthe expansion valve since this imposes compressor load
while providing little effective cooling•

If process temperatures are above ambient for all, or part,of the year, use of ambient cooling systems, such as

Quantify and minimize “incidental” cooling loads, forfans in cooling tunnels, or secondary refrigerant pumps

Installing ventilation heat recovery systems34

summer conditions.
•

Most refrigeration systems are electric-motor driven vapor
compression systems using positive displacement or
centrifugal compressors. The remainder of this guideline
relates primarily to vapor-compression systems. However,when a cheap or free heat source is available (e.g. waste
heat from an engine-driven generator—low-pressure steam

In the case of air conditioning applications, energy
efficiency techniques include:oPlacing air intakes and air-conditioning units in cool,shaded locationsoImproving building insulation including seals, vents,
windows, and doors

APRIL 30, 2007

34 More information on HVAC energy efficiency can be found at the British

Columbia Building Corporation (Woolliams, 2002.
http://www.greenbuildingsbc.com/new_buildings/pdf_files/greenbuild_strategi
es_guide.pdf), NRCAN’s EnerGuide(http://oee.nrcan.gc.ca/equipment/english/index.cfm?PrintView=N&Text=N)
and NRCAN’s Energy Star Programs(http://oee.nrcan.gc.ca/energystar/english/consumers/heating.cfm?text=N&pri
ntview=N#AC ), and the US Energy Star Program(http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=guidelines.download_guidelines).

21

Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) Guidelines
GENERAL EHS GUIDELINES: ENVIRONMENTAL
ENERGY CONSERVATION•

that has passed through a back-pressure turbine),

temperature is indicative of an appropriately sizedabsorption refrigeration may be appropriate.

evaporator. When cooling liquids, 2K between leaving

Exploit high cooling temperature range: precooling byliquid and evaporating temperatures can be achieved,

ambient and/or ‘high temperature’ refrigeration before final

though a 4K difference is generally indicative of acooling can reduce refrigeration capital and running costs.

generously-sized evaporator.

High cooling temperature range also provides an••

Keep the evaporator clean. When cooling air, ensure

opportunity for countercurrent (cascade) cooling, whichcorrect defrost operation. In liquid cooling, monitor

reduces refrigerant flow needs.

refrigerant/process temperature differences and compare

Keep ‘hot’ and ‘cold’ fluids separate, for example, do notwith design expectations to be alert to heat exchanger

mix water leaving the chiller with water returning fromcontamination by scale or oil.

cooling circuits.
•WORLD BANK GROUP•

Ensure oil is regularly removed from the evaporator, andthat oil additions and removals balance.

In low-temperature systems where high temperature
differences are inevitable, consider two-stage or compound•

Avoid the use of back-pressure valves.

compression, or economized screw compressors, rather•

Adjust expansion valves to minimize suction superheat

than single-stage compression.
Minimizing Temperature Differences

consistent with avoidance of liquid carry-over tocompressors.
•

A vapor-compression refrigeration system raises the

Ensure that an appropriate refrigerant charge volume ispresent.

temperature of the refrigerant from somewhat below the lowest
process temperature (the evaporating temperature) to provide

Reducing Condensing Temperatureprocess cooling, to a higher temperature (the condensing•

Consider whether to use air-cooled or evaporation-based

temperature), somewhat above ambient, to facilitate heatcooling (e.g. evaporative or water cooled condensers andrejection to the air or cooling water systems. Increasing

cooling towers). Air-cooled evaporators usually have

evaporating temperature typically increases compressor coolinghigher condensing temperatures, hence higher compressor

capacity without greatly affecting power consumption. Reducing

energy use, and auxiliary power consumption, especially incondensing temperature increases evaporator cooling capacity

low humidity climates. If a wet system is used, ensureand substantially reduces compressor power consumption.

adequate treatment to prevent growth of legionella

Elevating Evaporating Temperature•bacteria.
•

Whichever basic system is chosen, select a relatively large

Select a large evaporator to permit relatively low

condenser to minimize differences between condensing

temperature differences between process and evaporating

and the heat sink temperatures. Condensing temperaturestemperatures. Ensure that energy use of auxiliaries (e.g.

with air cooled or evaporative condensers should not be

evaporator fans) does not outweigh compression savings.

more than 10K above design ambient condition, and a 4K

In air-cooling applications, a design temperature difference

approach in a liquid-cooled condenser is possible.

of 6-10 K between leaving air temperature and evaporating
APRIL 30, 200722

Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) Guidelines
GENERAL EHS GUIDELINES: ENVIRONMENTAL
ENERGY CONSERVATION
•

•

•

•

•

WORLD BANK GROUP

Avoid accumulation of non-condensable gases in the

Refrigerant Compression Efficiency

condenser system. Consider the installation of refrigerated•

Some refrigerant compressors and chillers are more

non-condensable purgers, particularly for systems

efficient than others offered for the same duty. Before

operating below atmospheric pressure.

purchase, identify the operating conditions under which the

Keep condensers clean and free from scale. Monitor

compressor or chiller is likely to operate for substantialrefrigerant/ambient temperature differences and compare

parts of its annual cycle. Check operating efficiency underwith design expectations to be alert to heat exchanger

these conditions, and ask for estimates of annual running

contamination.

cost. Note that refrigeration and HVAC systems rarely run

Avoid liquid backup, which restricts heat transfer area infor extended periods at design conditions, which arecondensers. This can be caused by installation errors suchdeliberately extreme. Operational efficiency under the mostas concentric reducers in horizontal liquid refrigerant pipes,

commonly occurring off-design conditions is likely to beor “up and over” liquid lines leading from condensers.

most important.

In multiple condenser applications, refrigerant liquid lines•

Compressors lose efficiency when unloaded. Avoid

should be connected via drop-leg traps to the main liquid

operation of multiple compressors at part-load conditions.

refrigerant line to ensure that hot gases flow to all

Note that package chillers can gain coefficient ofcondensers.

performance (COP) when slightly unloaded, as loss of

Avoid head pressure control to the extent possible. Headcompressor efficiency can be outweighed by the benefits ofpressure control maintains condensing temperature at, or

reduced condensing and elevated evaporating

near, design levels. It therefore prevents reduction intemperature. However, it is unlikely to be energy efficientcompressor power consumption, which accompanies

to operate a single compressor-chiller at less than 50% of

reduced condensing temperature, by restricting condenser

capacity.

capacity (usually by switching off the condenser, or cooling•Consider turndown efficiency when specifying chillers.

tower fans, or restricting cooling water flow) under

Variable speed control or multiple compressor chillers canconditions of less severe than design load or ambient

be highly efficient at part loads.

temperature conditions. Head pressure is often kept higher•

Use of thermal storage systems (e.g., ice storage) canthan necessary to facilitate hot gas defrost or adequate

avoid the need for close load-tracking and, hence, canliquid refrigerant circulation. Use of electronic rather than

avoid part-loaded compressor operation.

thermostatic expansion valves, and liquid refrigerant•

pumps can permit effective refrigerant circulation at much

Refrigeration System Auxiliaries

reduced condensing temperatures.

Many refrigeration system auxiliaries (e.g. evaporator fans andSite condensers and cooling towers with adequate spacing

chilled water pumps) contribute to refrigeration system load, so

so as to prevent recirculation of hot air into the tower.

reductions in their energy use have a double benefit. Generalenergy saving techniques for pumps and fans, listed in the next
section of these guidelines, should be applied to refrigeration
auxiliaries.

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ENERGY CONSERVATIONWORLD BANK GROUP

Additionally, auxiliary use can be reduced by avoidance of part-o

Implement systems for systematic identification andrepair of leaks

load operation and in plant selection (e.g. axial fan evaporative
condensers generally use less energy than equivalento

All condensate drain points should be trapped. Do notleave drain valves continuously ‘cracked open’

centrifugal fan towers).
oUnder extreme off-design conditions, reduction in duty of coolingTrain workers never to direct compressed air against
their bodies or clothing to dust or cool themselves

system fans and pumps can be worthwhile, usually when thedown.

lowest possible condensing pressure has been achieved.

Compressed Air Systems
Compressed air is the most commonly found utility service inindustry, yet in many compressed air systems, the energy
contained in compressed air delivered to the user is often 10%

Distribution•

Monitor pressure losses in filters and replace asappropriate•

Use adequately sized distribution pipework designed tominimize pressure losses

or less of energy used in air compression. Savings are often
possible through the following techniques:

Load reduction•

Examine each true user of compressed air to identify the
air volume needed and the pressure at which this should
be delivered.

•

Do not mix high volume low pressure and low volume highpressure loads. Decentralize low volume high-pressure
applications or provide dedicated low-pressure utilities, forexample, by using fans rather than compressed air.

•

Review air use reduction opportunities, for example:o

Use air amplifier nozzles rather than simple open-pipe
compressed air jetsoConsider whether compressed air is needed at alloWhere air jets are required intermittently (e.g. topropel product), consider operating the jet via aprocess-related solenoid valve, which opens only
when air is requiredo

Use manual or automatically operated valves toisolate air supply to individual machines or zones thatare not in continuous use

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GENERAL EHS GUIDELINES: ENVIRONMENTAL
WASTEWATER AND AMBIENT WATER QUALITY

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1.3 Wastewater and Ambient Water Quality•
Applicability and Approach......................................25
General Liquid Effluent Quality.......................................26
Discharge to Surface Water....................................26
Discharge to Sanitary Sewer Systems.....................26
Land Application of Treated Effluent........................27
Septic Systems ......................................................27
Wastewater Management...............................................27
Industrial Wastewater .............................................27
Sanitary Wastewater ..............................................29
Emissions from Wastewater Treatment Operations .30
Residuals from Wastewater Treatment Operations..30
Occupational Health and Safety Issues in Wastewater
Treatment Operations.............................................30
Monitoring......................................................................30

Applicability and Approach

Understand the quality, quantity, frequency and sources ofliquid effluents in its installations. This includes knowledge
about the locations, routes and integrity of internal drainage
systems and discharge points•

Plan and implement the segregation of liquid effluents
principally along industrial, utility, sanitary, and stormwater
categories, in order to limit the volume of water requiring
specialized treatment. Characteristics of individual streams
may also be used for source segregation.

•

Identify opportunities to prevent or reduce wastewaterpollution through such measures as recycle/reuse within theirfacility, input substitution, or process modification (e.g.
change of technology or operating conditions/modes).

•Assess compliance of their wastewater discharges with theThis guideline applies to projects that have either direct or indirect

applicable: (i) discharge standard (if the wastewater isdischarge of process wastewater, wastewater from utility

discharged to a surface water or sewer), and (ii) water quality

operations or stormwater to the environment. These guidelines

standard for a specific reuse (e.g. if the wastewater is reused

are also applicable to industrial discharges to sanitary sewers thatfor irrigation).

discharge to the environment without any treatment. Processwastewater may include contaminated wastewater from utility

Additionally, the generation and discharge of wastewater of any

operations, stormwater, and sanitary sewage. It provides

type should be managed through a combination of:

information on common techniques for wastewater management,water conservation, and reuse that can be applied to a wide range
of industry sectors. This guideline is meant to be complemented
by the industry-specific effluent guidelines presented in the•generation•

wastewater, sanitary (domestic) sewage, or stormwater shouldincorporate the necessary precautions to avoid, minimize, andcontrol adverse impacts to human health, safety, or theenvironment.

Process modification, including waste minimization, andreducing the use of hazardous materials to reduce the load ofIndustry Sector Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS)
Guidelines. Projects with the potential to generate process

Water use efficiency to reduce the amount of wastewaterpollutants requiring treatment•

If needed, application of wastewater treatment techniques tofurther reduce the load of contaminants prior to discharge,
taking into consideration potential impacts of cross-media
transfer of contaminants during treatment (e.g., from water to
air or land)

In the context of their overall ESHS management system, facilities
should:APRIL 30, 200725

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When wastewater treatment is required prior to discharge, thethe receiving water into consideration, should also influence thelevel of treatment should be based on:

acceptable pollution loadings and effluent discharge quality.
Additional considerations that should be included in the setting of••

Whether wastewater is being discharged to a sanitary sewer

project-specific performance levels for wastewater effluents

system, or to surface waters

include:National and local standards as reflected in permit
requirements and sewer system capacity to convey and treat

•

•
•
•

•

Process wastewater treatment standards consistent with

wastewater if discharge is to sanitary sewer

applicable Industry Sector EHS Guidelines. Projects for

Assimilative capacity of the receiving water for the load ofwhich there are no industry-specific guidelines should

contaminant being discharged wastewater if discharge is toreference the effluent quality guidelines of an industry sector

surface waterwith suitably analogous processes and effluents;

Intended use of the receiving water body (e.g. as a source of•Compliance with national or local standards for sanitarydrinking water, recreation, irrigation, navigation, or other)wastewater discharges or, in their absence, the indicative

Presence of sensitive receptors (e.g., endangered species)

guideline values applicable to sanitary wastewateror habitatsdischarges shown in Table 1.3.1 below ;Good International Industry Practice (GIIP) for the relevant•

Temperature of wastewater prior to discharge does not resultin an increase greater than 3°C of ambient temperature atindustry sector

the edge of a scientifically established mixing zone which

General Liquid Effluent Quality

takes into account ambient water quality, receiving water use
and assimilative capacity among other considerations.

Discharge to Surface Water
Discharges of process wastewater, sanitary wastewater,

Discharge to Sanitary Sewer Systems

wastewater from utility operations or stormwater to surface water

Discharges of industrial wastewater, sanitary wastewater,should not result in contaminant concentrations in excess of local

wastewater from utility operations or stormwater into public or

ambient water quality criteria or, in the absence of local criteria,

private wastewater treatment systems should:

other sources of ambient water quality.35 Receiving water use36
and assimilative capacity37, taking other sources of discharges to•

Meet the pretreatment and monitoring requirements of thesewer treatment system into which it discharges.

35 An example is the US EPA National Recommended Water Quality Criteria•

Not interfere, directly or indirectly, with the operation andhttp://www.epa.gov/waterscience/criteria/wqcriteria.html

maintenance of the collection and treatment systems, or

36 Examples of receiving water uses as may be designated by local authorities

pose a risk to worker health and safety, or adversely impact

include: drinking water (with some level of treatment), recreation, aquaculture,irrigation, general aquatic life, ornamental, and navigation. Examples of healthbased guideline values for receiving waters include World Health Organization(WHO) guidelines for recreational use(http://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/dwq/guidelines/en/index.html)
37 The assimilative capacity of the receiving water body depends on numerous

factors including, but not limited to, the total volume of water, flow rate, flushingrate of the water body and the loading of pollutants from other effluent sources in
APRIL 30, 2007

the area or region. A seasonally representative baseline assessment of ambient
water quality may be required for use with established scientific methods andmathematical models to estimate potential impact to the receiving water from aneffluent source.

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WASTEWATER AND AMBIENT WATER QUALITY
characteristics of residuals from wastewater treatment••

WORLD BANK GROUP

Properly designed and installed in accordance with local

operations.

regulations and guidance to prevent any hazard to public

Be discharged into municipal or centralized wastewater

health or contamination of land, surface or groundwater.

treatment systems that have adequate capacity to meet local•

Well maintained to allow effective operation.

regulatory requirements for treatment of wastewater•

Installed in areas with sufficient soil percolation for the design

generated from the project. Pretreatment of wastewater tomeet regulatory requirements before discharge from thewastewater loading rate.
•

Installed in areas of stable soils that are nearly level, wellproject site is required if the municipal or centralized

drained, and permeable, with enough separation between thewastewater treatment system receiving wastewater from thedrain field and the groundwater table or other receiving

project does not have adequate capacity to maintainwaters.

regulatory compliance.

Wastewater Management

Land Application of Treated Effluent

Wastewater management includes water conservation,

The quality of treated process wastewater, wastewater from utility

wastewater treatment, stormwater management, and wastewater

operations or stormwater discharged on land, including wetlands,

and water quality monitoring.

should be established based on local regulatory requirements. .
Where land is used as part of the treatment system and theIndustrial Wastewater

ultimate receptor is surface water, water quality guidelines for

Industrial wastewater generated from industrial operations

surface water discharges specific to the industry sector processincludes process wastewater, wastewater from utility operations,,

should apply.38 Potential impact on soil, groundwater, and surface

runoff from process and materials staging areas, andwater, in the context of protection, conservation and long term

miscellaneous activities including wastewater from laboratories,

sustainability of water and land resources should be assessed

equipment maintenance shops, etc.. The pollutants in an industrial

when land is used as part of any wastewater treatment system.

wastewater may include acids or bases (exhibited as low or highpH), soluble organic chemicals causing depletion of dissolved

Septic Systems

oxygen, suspended solids, nutrients (phosphorus, nitrogen),

Septic systems are commonly used for treatment and disposal ofheavy metals (e.g. cadmium, chromium, copper, lead, mercury,domestic sanitary sewage in areas with no sewerage collection

nickel, zinc), cyanide, toxic organic chemicals, oily materials, andnetworks, Septic systems should only be used for treatment ofvolatile materials. , as well as from thermal characteristics of thesanitary sewage, and unsuitable for industrial wastewater

discharge (e.g., elevated temperature). Transfer of pollutants totreatment. When septic systems are the selected form of

another phase, such as air, soil, or the sub-surface, should be

wastewater disposal and treatment, they should be:

minimized through process and engineering controls.

38 Additional guidance on water quality considerations for land application isProcess Wastewater – – Examples of treatment approaches

available in the WHO Guidelines for the Safe Use of Wastewater, Excreta and
Greywater. Volume 2: Wastewater Use in Agriculture
http://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/wastewater/gsuweg2/en/index.html

typically used in the treatment of industrial wastewater are

APRIL 30, 2007

summarized in Annex 1.3.1. While the choice of treatment
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Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) Guidelines
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technology is driven by wastewater characteristics, the actual

account ambient water quality, receiving water use, potential

performance of this technology depends largely on the adequacy

receptors and assimilative capacity among otherof its design, equipment selection, as well as operation andconsiderations;maintenance of its installed facilities. Adequate resources are•

Minimizing use of antifouling and corrosion inhibiting

required for proper operation and maintenance of a treatment

chemicals by ensuring appropriate depth of water intake andfacility, and performance is strongly dependent on the technicaluse of screens. Least hazardous alternatives should be usedability and training of its operational staff. One or more treatment

with regards to toxicity, biodegradability, bioavailability, andtechnologies may be used to achieve the desired discharge

bioaccumulation potential. Dose applied should accord withquality and to maintain consistent compliance with regulatory

local regulatory requirements and manufacturer

requirements. The design and operation of the selected

recommendations;wastewater treatment technologies should avoid uncontrolled air•

Testing for residual biocides and other pollutants of concern

emissions of volatile chemicals from wastewaters. Residuals fromshould be conducted to determine the need for doseindustrial wastewater treatment operations should be disposed inadjustments or treatment of cooling water prior to discharge.

compliance with local regulatory requirements, in the absence of
which disposal has to be consistent with protection of public health

Stormwater Management - Stormwater includes any surface

and safety, and conservation and long term sustainability of waterrunoff and flows resulting from precipitation, drainage or otherand land resources.

sources. Typically stormwater runoff contains suspended
sediments, metals, petroleum hydrocarbons, Polycyclic Aromatic

Wastewater from Utilities Operations - Utility operations such

Hydrocarbons (PAHs), coliform, etc. Rapid runoff, even ofas cooling towers and demineralization systems may result in highuncontaminated stormwater, also degrades the quality of therates of water consumption, as well as the potential release ofreceiving water by eroding stream beds and banks. In order tohigh temperature water containing high dissolved solids, residues

reduce the need for stormwater treatment, the following principles

of biocides, residues of other cooling system anti-fouling agents,

should be applied:

etc. Recommended water management strategies for utility
operations include:•

Stormwater should be separated from process and sanitary
wastewater streams in order to reduce the volume of•

Adoption of water conservation opportunities for facility
cooling systems as provided in the Water Conservation

wastewater to be treated prior to discharge•

section below;•

Use of heat recovery methods (also energy efficiency

Surface runoff from process areas or potential sources ofcontamination should be prevented•

Where this approach is not practical, runoff from process andimprovements) or other cooling methods to reduce thestorage areas should be segregated from potentially lesstemperature of heated water prior to discharge to ensure thecontaminated runoff

discharge water temperature does not result in an increase•

Runoff from areas without potential sources of contamination

greater than 3°C of ambient temperature at the edge of ashould be minimized (e.g. by minimizing the area of

scientifically established mixing zone which takes intoimpermeable surfaces) and the peak discharge rate should

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Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) Guidelines
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WORLD BANK GROUP

be reduced (e.g. by using vegetated swales and retention

medical infirmaries, water softening etc. may also be discharged

ponds);

to the sanitary wastewater treatment system. Recommended

Where stormwater treatment is deemed necessary to protect

sanitary wastewater management strategies include:

the quality of receiving water bodies, priority should be given
to managing and treating the first flush of stormwater runoff•

with selected treatment option (e.g. septic system which canwhere the majority of potential contaminants tend to be

only accept domestic sewage);present;•

When water quality criteria allow, stormwater should be•sewer systems;

for meeting water needs at the facility;
Oil water separators and grease traps should be installed•

for sanitary wastewater discharges or, in their absence, theworkshops, parking areas, fuel storage and containment

indicative guideline values applicable to sanitary wastewater

areas.
Sludge from stormwater catchments or collection andtreatment systems may contain elevated levels of pollutants

discharges shown in Table 1.3.1;•

If sewage from the industrial facility is to be discharged toeither a septic system, or where land is used as part of theand should be disposed in compliance with local regulatory

treatment system, treatment to meet applicable national or

requirements, in the absence of which disposal has to belocal standards for sanitary wastewater discharges is

consistent with protection of public health and safety, andrequired.

conservation and long term sustainability of water and land
resources.

If sewage from the industrial facility is to be discharged tosurface water, treatment to meet national or local standards

and maintained as appropriate at refueling facilities,•

Segregation and pretreatment of oil and grease containing
effluents (e.g. use of a grease trap) prior to discharge into

managed as a resource, either for groundwater recharge or•

Segregation of wastewater streams to ensure compatibility•

Sludge from sanitary wastewater treatment systems should
be disposed in compliance with local regulatory

Sanitary Wastewaterrequirements, in the absence of which disposal has to be

Sanitary wastewater from industrial facilities may include effluentsconsistent with protection of public health and safety, andfrom domestic sewage, food service, and laundry facilities serving

conservation and long term sustainability of water and landsite employees. Miscellaneous wastewater from laboratories,

resources.

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or a non-hazardous waste and managed accordingly as described

Table 1.3.1 Indicative Values for Treated
Sanitary Sewage Discharges a
Pollutantsin the Waste Management section of this document.

Occupational Health and Safety Issues in
Wastewater Treatment Operations

Units

Guideline Value

pH

pH

6 –9

BOD

mg/l

30

COD

mg/l

125

Total nitrogen

mg/l

10

managed. Examples of these hazards include the potential for

Total phosphorus

mg/l

2

trips and falls into tanks, confined space entries for maintenance

Oil and grease

mg/l

10

operations, and inhalation of VOCs, bioaerosols, and methane,

Total suspended solids

mg/l

50

Total coliform bacteria

MPN b / 100 ml

400a

Notes:
a Not applicable to centralized, municipal, wastewater treatment systems
which are included in EHS Guidelines for Water and Sanitation.
b MPN = Most Probable Number

Emissions from Wastewater Treatment Operations

Wastewater treatment facility operators may be exposed tophysical, chemical, and biological hazards depending on thedesign of the facilities and the types of wastewater effluentscontact with pathogens and vectors, and use of potentiallyhazardous chemicals, including chlorine, sodium and calcium
hypochlorite, and ammonia. Detailed recommendations for the
management of occupational health and safety issues arepresented in the relevant section of this document. Additional
guidance specifically applicable to wastewater treatment systems
is provided in the EHS Guidelines for Water and Sanitation.

Air emissions from wastewater treatment operations may includehydrogen sulfide, methane, ozone (in the case of ozone

Monitoring

disinfection), volatile organic compounds (e.g., chloroform

A wastewater and water quality monitoring program with adequate

generated from chlorination activities and other volatile organic

resources and management oversight should be developed andcompounds (VOCs) from industrial wastewater), gaseous or

implemented to meet the objective(s) of the monitoring program.

volatile chemicals used for disinfection processes (e.g., chlorine

The wastewater and water quality monitoring program should

and ammonia), and bioaerosols. Odors from treatment facilities

consider the following elements:

can also be a nuisance to workers and the surrounding
community. Recommendations for the management of emissions•

Monitoring parameters: The parameters selected forare presented in the Air Emissions and Ambient Air Quality

monitoring should be indicative of the pollutants of concern

section of this document and in the EHS Guidelines for Water andfrom the process, and should include parameters that are

Sanitation.

regulated under compliance requirements;

Residuals from Wastewater Treatment Operations•

Monitoring type and frequency: Wastewater monitoring

Sludge from a waste treatment plant needs to be evaluated on ashould take into consideration the discharge characteristics

case-by-case basis to establish whether it constitutes a hazardous

from the process over time. Monitoring of discharges fromprocesses with batch manufacturing or seasonal process
variations should take into consideration of time-dependent

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WORLD BANK GROUP

variations in discharges and, therefore, is more complex thanmonitoring of continuous discharges. Effluents from highlyvariable processes may need to be sampled more frequentlyor through composite methods. Grab samples or, if
automated equipment permits, composite samples may offer
more insight on average concentrations of pollutants over a
24-hour period. Composite samplers may not be appropriate
where analytes of concern are short-lived (e.g., quickly
degraded or volatile).
•

Monitoring locations: The monitoring location should beselected with the objective of providing representative
monitoring data. Effluent sampling stations may be locatedat the final discharge, as well as at strategic upstream points
prior to merging of different discharges. Process discharges
should not be diluted prior or after treatment with theobjective of meeting the discharge or ambient water quality
standards.

•

Data quality: Monitoring programs should applyinternationally approved methods for sample collection,
preservation and analysis. Sampling should be conducted byor under the supervision of trained individuals. Analysis
should be conducted by entities permitted or certified for thispurpose. Sampling and Analysis Quality Assurance/Quality
Control (QA/QC) plans should be prepared and,
implemented. QA/QC documentation should be included inmonitoring reports.

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Annex 1.3.1 - Examples of Industrial Wastewater Treatment Approaches

pH

Pollutant/Parameter

Control Options / Principle
Chemical, Equalization

Common End of Pipe Control Technology
Acid/Base addition, Flow equalization

Oil and Grease / TPH

Phase separation

Dissolved Air Floatation, oil water separator, grease trap

TSS - Settleable

Settling, Size Exclusion

Sedimentation basin, clarifier, centrifuge, screens

TSS - Non-Settleable

Floatation, Filtration - traditional andtangential

Dissolved air floatation, Multimedia filter, sand filter, fabric filter,
ultrafiltration, microfiltration

Hi - BOD (> 2 Kg/m3)

Biological - Anaerobic

Suspended growth, attached growth, hybrid

Lo - BOD (< 2 Kg/m3)

Biological - Aerobic, Facultative

Suspended growth, attached growth, hybrid

COD - Non-Biodegradable

Oxidation, Adsorption, Size
Exclusion

Chemical oxidation, Thermal oxidation, Activated Carbon, Membranes

Metals - Particulate andSolubleCoagulation, flocculation,
precipitation, size exclusion

Flash mix with settling, filtration - traditional and tangential

Inorganics / Non-metals

Coagulation, flocculation,
precipitation, size exclusion,
Oxidation, Adsorption

Flash mix with settling, filtration - traditional and tangential, Chemical
oxidation, Thermal oxidation, Activated Carbon, Reverse Osmosis,
Evaporation

Organics - VOCs and SVOCs

Biological - Aerobic, Anaerobic,
Facultative; Adsorption, Oxidation

Biological : Suspended growth, attached growth, hybrid; Chemical
oxidation, Thermal oxidation, Activated Carbon
Biological : Attached growth; Chemical oxidation, Thermal oxidation,
Activated Carbon
Aerobic/Anoxic biological treatment, chemical hydrolysis and air
stripping, chlorination, ion exchange

Temperature

Capture – Active or Passive;
Biological; Adsorption, Oxidation
Biological Nutrient Removal,
Chemical, Physical, Adsorption
Biological - Aerobic, Anaerobic,
Facultative; Adsorption, Oxidation
Evaporative Cooling

TDS

Concentration, Size Exclusion

Evaporation, crystallization, Reverse Osmosis

Active Ingredients/Emerging
Contaminants

Adsorption, Oxidation, Size
Exclusion, Concentration

Chemical oxidation, Thermal oxidation, Activated Carbon, Ion
Exchange, Reverse Osmosis, Evaporation, Crystallization

Emissions – Odors andVOCs
Nutrients
Color

Radionuclides
Pathogens
Toxicity

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Adsorption,Size Exclusion,
Concentration
Disinfection, Sterilization
Adsorption, Oxidation, Size
Exclusion, Concentration

Biological Aerobic, Chemical oxidation, Activated Carbon
Surface Aerators, Flow Equalization

Ion Exchange, Reverse Osmosis, Evaporation, Crystallization
Chlorine, Ozone, Peroxide, UV, Thermal
Chemical oxidation, Thermal oxidation, Activated Carbon, Evaporation,
crystallization, Reverse Osmosis

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Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) Guidelines
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WATER CONSERVATIONWORLD BANK GROUP

1.4 Water Conservation
Applicability and Approach .............................................33
Water Monitoring and Management................................33
Process Water Reuse and Recycling..............................33
Building Facility Operations ............................................34
Cooling Systems............................................................34
Heating Systems............................................................34

Applicability and Approach

Water Monitoring and Management
The essential elements of a water management program
involve:•

Identification, regular measurement, and recording ofprincipal flows within a facility;•

Definition and regular review of performance targets, which

Water conservation programs should be implemented

are adjusted to account for changes in major factors

commensurate with the magnitude and cost of water use.

affecting water use (e.g. industrial production rate);

These programs should promote the continuous reduction inwater consumption and achieve savings in the water•targets to identify where action should be taken to reduce

pumping, treatment and disposal costs. Water conservation
measures may include water monitoring/management

Regular comparison of water flows with performancewater use.

Water measurement (metering) should emphasize areas oftechniques; process and cooling/heating water recycling,

greatest water use. Based on review of metering data,reuse, and other techniques; and sanitary water conservation‘unaccounted’ use–indicating major leaks at industrial facilities–

techniques.

could be identified.

General recommendations include:

Process Water Reuse and Recycling•

Storm/Rainwater harvesting and use

Opportunities for water savings in industrial processes are•

Zero discharge design/Use of treated waste water to behighly industry-specific. However, the following techniques haveincluded in project design processes

all been used successfully, and should be considered in

Use of localized recirculation systems inconjunction with the development of the metering system

plant/facility/shops (as opposed to centralized

described above.

•recirculation system), with provision only for makeup
water•

Use of dry process technologies e.g. dry quenching•

Process water system pressure management•

Project design to have measures for adequate water•

Washing Machines: Many washing machines use large
quantities of hot water. Use can increase as nozzles
become enlarged due to repeated cleaning and /or wear.
Monitor machine water use, compare with specification,and replace nozzles when water and heat use reaches

collection, spill control and leakage control systemlevels warranting such work.
•

Water reuse: Common water reuse applications include
countercurrent rinsing, for example in multi-stage washing

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WATER CONSERVATION•WORLD BANK GROUP

and rinsing processes, or reusing waste water from one

the facility, whether sanitary or including other activities

process for another with less exacting watersuch as showering or catering

requirements. For example, using bleaching rinse water•

Regularly maintain plumbing, and identify and repair leaks

for textile washing, or bottle-washer rinse water for•

Shut off water to unused areas

bottle crate washing, or even washing the floor. More•

Install self-closing taps, automatic shut-off valves, spraysophisticated reuse projects requiring treatment of water

nozzles, pressure reducing valves, and water conserving

before reuse are also sometimes practical.

fixtures (e.g. low flow shower heads, faucets, toilets,

Water jets/sprays: If processes use water jets or sprays

urinals; and spring loaded or sensored faucets)(e.g. to keep conveyors clean or to cool product) review•

when needed

the accuracy of the spray pattern to prevent
unnecessary water loss.
•

Flow control optimization: Industrial processes
sometimes require the use of tanks, which are refilled tocontrol losses. It is often possible to reduce the rate ofwater supply to such tanks, and sometimes to reducetank levels to reduce spillage. If the process uses water

Operate dishwashers and laundries on full loads, and only•

Install water-saving equipment in lavatories, such as lowflow toilets

Cooling Systems
Water conservation opportunities in cooling systems include:•

towers rather than once-through cooling systems

cooling sprays, it may be possible to reduce flow while
maintaining cooling performance. Testing can•

If hoses are used in cleaning, use flow controls to
restrict wasteful water flowoof water sprayed from hosepipesoUsing flow timers and limit switches to control
water useoUsing ‘clean-up’ practices rather than hosing down

Building Facility Operations
Consumption of building and sanitary water is typically lessthan that used in industrial processes. However, savings canreadily be identified, as outlined below:•

accumulation of dissolved solids•

Use of air cooling rather than evaporative cooling,although this may increase electricity use in theConsider the use of high pressure, low volume
cleaning systems rather than using large volumes

Limiting condenser or cooling tower blowdown to theminimum required to prevent unacceptable

determine the optimum balance.
o

Use of closed circuit cooling systems with cooling

cooling system•

Use of treated waste water for cooling towers•

Reusing/recycling cooling tower blowdown

Heating Systems
Heating systems based on the circulation of low or medium
pressure hot water (which do not consume water) should beclosed. If they do consume water, regular maintenance should
be conducted to check for leaks. However, large quantities ofwater may be used by steam systems, and this can be reducedby the following measures:Compare daily water use per employee to existing
benchmarks taking into consideration the primary use at

APRIL 30, 200734

Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) Guidelines
GENERAL EHS GUIDELINES: ENVIRONMENTAL
WATER CONSERVATION•WORLD BANK GROUP

Repair of steam and condensate leaks, and repairof all failed steam traps•

Return of condensate to the boilerhouse, and useof heat exchangers (with condensate return) rather
than direct steam injection where process permits•

Flash steam recovery•

Minimizing boiler blowdown consistent withmaintaining acceptably low dissolved solids inboiler water. Use of reverse osmosis boiler feedwater treatment substantially reduces the need forboiler blowdown•

Minimizing deaerator heating

APRIL 30, 200735

Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) Guidelines
GENERAL EHS GUIDELINES: ENVIRONMENTAL
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS MANAGEMENTWORLD BANK GROUP

1.5 Hazardous Materials Management
When a hazardous material is no longer usable for its original
Applicability and Approach .............................................36
General Hazardous Materials Management....................37
Hazard Assessment ...............................................37
Management Actions..............................................37
Release Prevention and Control Planning ............38
Occupational Health and Safety ...........................38
Process Knowledge and Documentation ..............39
Preventive Measures..............................................39
Hazardous Materials Transfer..............................39
Overfill Protection................................................39
Reaction, Fire, and Explosion Prevention.............40
Control Measures...................................................40
Secondary Containment (Liquids) ........................40
Storage Tank and Piping Leak Detection..............41
Underground Storage Tanks (USTs) ....................41
Management of Major Hazards.......................................42
Management Actions..............................................42
Preventive Measures..............................................43
Emergency Preparedness and Response ...............44
Community Involvement and Awareness.................44

purpose and is intended for disposal, but still has hazardous
properties, it is considered a hazardous waste (see Section 1.4).
This guidance is intended to be applied in conjunction withtraditional occupational health and safety and emergency
preparedness programs which are included in Section 2.0 on
Occupational Health and Safety Management, and Section 3.7 on
Emergency Preparedness and Response. Guidance on theTransport of Hazardous Materials is provided in Section 3.5.
This section is divided into two main subsections:
General Hazardous Materials Management: Guidance applicable
to all projects or facilities that handle or store any quantity ofhazardous materials.
Management of Major Hazards: Additional guidance for projects or

Applicability and Approach
These guidelines apply to projects that use, store, or handle any
quantity of hazardous materials (Hazmats), defined as materials

facilities that store or handle hazardous materials at, or above,
threshold quantities39, and thus require special treatment toprevent accidents such as fire, explosions, leaks or spills, and toprepare and respond to emergencies.

that represent a risk to human health, property, or the environment
due to their physical or chemical characteristics. Hazmats can be

The overall objective of hazardous materials management is toclassified according to the hazard as explosives; compressedavoid or, when avoidance is not feasible, minimize uncontrolled

gases, including toxic or flammable gases; flammable liquids;

releases of hazardous materials or accidents (including explosion

flammable solids; oxidizing substances; toxic materials;

and fire) during their production, handling, storage and use. This

radioactive material; and corrosive substances. Guidance on theobjective can be achieved by:transport of hazardous materials is covered in Section 3 of thisdocument.

39 For examples, threshold quantities should be those established for emergency

planning purposes such as provided in the US Environmental Protection Agency.
Protection of Environment (Title Threshold quantities are provided in the US
Environmental Protection Agency. Protection of Environment (Title 40 CFR Parts
68, 112, and 355).

APRIL 30, 200736

Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) Guidelines
GENERAL EHS GUIDELINES: ENVIRONMENTAL
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS MANAGEMENT••

Establishing hazardous materials management priorities

WORLD BANK GROUP•

The types and amounts of hazardous materials present in thebased on hazard analysis of risky operations identified

project. This information should be recorded and should

through Social and Environmental Assessment;

include a summary table with the following information:

Where practicable, avoiding or minimizing the use ofohazardous materials. For example, non-hazardous materials

the Hazmat

have been found to substitute asbestos in building materials,o

PCBs in electrical equipment, persistent organic pollutantsosubstances in refrigeration systems;

fire or explosion;
Using engineering controls (containment, automatic alarms,
and shut-off systems) commensurate with the nature of
Implementing management controls (procedures,inspections, communications, training, and drills) to address
residual risks that have not been prevented or controlled
through engineering measures.

General Hazardous Materials Management
Projects which manufacture, handle, use, or store hazardousoQuantity of Hazmat used per monthoCharacteristic(s) that make(s) the Hazmat hazardous(e.g. flammability, toxicity)•

Analysis of potential spill and release scenarios using
available industry statistics on spills and accidents where

hazard;•Internationally accepted regulatory reporting threshold
quantity or national equivalent40 of the Hazmat

Preventing uncontrolled releases of hazardous materials tothe environment or uncontrolled reactions that might result in•Classification (e.g. code, class or division) of the
Hazmat(POPs) in pesticides formulations, and ozone depleting•

Name and description (e.g. composition of a mixture) ofavailable•

Analysis of the potential for uncontrolled reactions such as
fire and explosions•

Analysis of potential consequences based on the physicalgeographical characteristics of the project site, including
aspects such as its distance to settlements, water resources,and other environmentally sensitive areas

materials should establish management programs that are

Hazard assessment should be performed by specializedcommensurate with the potential risks present. The main

professionals using internationally-accepted methodologies suchobjectives of projects involving hazardous materials should be theas Hazardous Operations Analysis (HAZOP), Failure Mode andprotection of the workforce and the prevention and control of

Effects Analysis (FMEA), and Hazard Identification (HAZID).

releases and accidents. These objectives should be addressedby integrating prevention and control measures, management
actions, and procedures into day-to-day business activities.
Potentially applicable elements of a management program include
the following:

Management Actions
The management actions to be included in a Hazardous Materials
Management Plan should be commensurate with the level ofHazard Assessment
The level of risk should be established through an on-goingassessment process based on:
APRIL 30, 2007

40 Threshold quantities are provided in the US Environmental Protection Agency.

Protection of Environment (Title 40 CFR Parts 68, 112, and 355).

37

Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) Guidelines
GENERAL EHS GUIDELINES: ENVIRONMENTAL
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS MANAGEMENTWORLD BANK GROUP

potential risks associated with the production, handling, storage,

external resources for equipment and personnel, if

and use of hazardous materials.

necessary, to supplement internal resources•

Description of response activities in the event of a spill,

Release Prevention and Control Planningrelease, or other chemical emergency including:

Where there is risk of a spill of uncontrolled hazardous materials,oInternal and external notification procedures

facilities should prepare a spill control, prevention, andoSpecific responsibilities of individuals or groups

countermeasure plan as a specific component of their EmergencyoDecision process for assessing severity of the release,

Preparedness and Response Plan (described in more detail inand determining appropriate actions

Section 3.7). The plan should be tailored to the hazardsoFacility evacuation routes

associated with the project, and include:oPost-event activities such as clean-up and disposal,•

incident investigation, employee re-entry, andTraining of operators on release prevention, including drills

restoration of spill response equipment.

specific to hazardous materials as part of emergency
preparedness response training•

Implementation of inspection programs to maintain themechanical integrity and operability of pressure vessels,
tanks, piping systems, relief and vent valve systems,
containment infrastructure, emergency shutdown systems,
controls and pumps, and associated process equipment•

Preparation of written Standard Operating Procedures•

The Hazardous Materials Management Plan should addressapplicable, essential elements of occupational health and safety
management as described in Section 2.0 on Occupational Healthand Safety, including:•

Job safety analysis to identify specific potential occupational(SOPs) for filling USTs, ASTs or other containers or

hazards and industrial hygiene surveys, as appropriate, toequipment as well as for transfer operations by personnel

monitor and verify chemical exposure levels, and compare

trained in the safe transfer and filling of the hazardous

with applicable occupational exposure standards41

material, and in spill prevention and response•

Occupational Health and Safety•

Hazard communication and training programs to prepare

SOPs for the management of secondary containment

workers to recognize and respond to workplace chemical

structures, specifically the removal of any accumulated fluid,

hazards. Programs should include aspects of hazard

such as rainfall, to ensure that the intent of the system is not

identification, safe operating and materials handling

accidentally or willfully defeatedprocedures, safe work practices, basic emergency

Identification of locations of hazardous materials andprocedures, and special hazards unique to their jobs.

associated activities on an emergency plan site map•

Documentation of availability of specific personal protective
equipment and training needed to respond to an emergency•

Documentation of availability of spill response equipment
sufficient to handle at least initial stages of a spill and a list of

APRIL 30, 2007

41 Including: Threshold Limit Value (TLV®) occupational exposure guidelines andBiological Exposure Indices (BEIs®), American Conference of Governmental
Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH), http://www.acgih.org/TLV/; U.S. National Institutefor Occupational Health and Safety (NIOSH), http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npg/;
Permissible Exposure Limits (PELs), U.S. Occupational Safety and HealthAdministration (OSHA),
http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=STANDARD
S&p_id=9992; Indicative Occupational Exposure Limit Values, European Union,
http://europe.osha.eu.int/good_practice/risks/ds/oel/; and other similar sources.

38Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) Guidelines
GENERAL EHS GUIDELINES: ENVIRONMENTAL
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS MANAGEMENT
Training should incorporate information from Material Safety

Preventive Measures

Data Sheets42 (MSDSs) for hazardous materials being

Hazardous Materials Transfer

handled. MSDSs should be readily accessible to employees
in their local language.
••

Uncontrolled releases of hazardous materials may result fromsmall cumulative events, or from more significant equipment

Definition and implementation of permitted maintenance

failure associated with events such as manual or mechanicalactivities, such as hot work or confined space entries

transfer between storage systems or process equipment.

Provision of suitable personal protection equipment (PPE)Recommended practices to prevent hazardous material releases(footwear, masks, protective clothing and goggles infrom processes include:

appropriate areas), emergency eyewash and shower
stations, ventilation systems, and sanitary facilities•

WORLD BANK GROUP•

materials in tanks (e.g., all acids use one type of connection,

Monitoring and record-keeping activities, including audit

all caustics use another), and maintaining procedures toprocedures designed to verify and record the effectiveness of
prevention and control of exposure to occupational hazards,
and maintaining accident and incident investigation reports

prevent addition of hazardous materials to incorrect tanks•

to ensure safe transfer••

materials containers at connection points or other possible

Written process safety parameters (i.e., hazards of theoverflow points.

chemical substances, safety equipment specifications, safe
operation ranges for temperature, pressure, and otherapplicable parameters, evaluation of the consequences ofProvision of secondary containment, drip trays or otheroverflow and drip containment measures, for hazardous

facility ES/OHS MS and include:•

Regular inspection, maintenance and repair of fittings, pipes
and hoses

The Hazardous Materials Management Plan should beincorporated into, and consistent with, the other elements of the

Use of transfer equipment that is compatible and suitable forthe characteristics of the materials transferred and designed

on file for a period of at least five years

Process Knowledge and Documentation

Use of dedicated fittings, pipes, and hoses specific toOverfill Protection
Overfills of vessels and tanks should be prevented as they are

deviations, etc.)

among the most common causes of spills resulting in soil and•Written operating procedures

water contamination, and among the easiest to prevent.

•Compliance audit procedures

Recommended overfill protection measures include:•

Prepare written procedures for transfer operations that
includes a checklist of measures to follow during filling
operations and the use of filling operators trained in theseprocedures

42 MSDSs are produced by the manufacturer, but might not be prepared forchemical intermediates that are not distributed in commerce. In these cases,
employers still need to provide workers with equivalent information.

APRIL 30, 2007•

Installation of gauges on tanks to measure volume inside•

Use of dripless hose connections for vehicle tank and fixed
connections with storage tanks
39

Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) Guidelines
GENERAL EHS GUIDELINES: ENVIRONMENTAL
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS MANAGEMENT•

Provision of automatic fill shutoff valves on storage tanks toWORLD BANK GROUP•

Prohibition of all sources of ignition from areas near
flammable storage tanks

prevent overfilling•

Use of a catch basin around the fill pipe to collect spills•

Use of piping connections with automatic overfill protection

Control Measures(float valve)

Secondary Containment (Liquids)

Pumping less volume than available capacity into the tank or

A critical aspect for controlling accidental releases of liquid

vessel by ordering less material than its available capacity

hazardous materials during storage and transfer is the provision ofProvision of overfill or over pressure vents that allow

secondary containment. It is not necessary for secondary

controlled release to a capture point

containment methods to meet long term material compatibility as••with primary storage and piping, but their design and construction

Reaction, Fire, and Explosion Prevention

should hold released materials effectively until they can be

Reactive, flammable, and explosive materials should also be

detected and safely recovered. Appropriate secondary

managed to avoid uncontrolled reactions or conditions resulting incontainment structures consist of berms, dikes, or walls capable offire or explosion. Recommended prevention practices include:

containing the larger of 110 percent of the largest tank or 25%•

percent of the combined tank volumes in areas with above-ground

Storage of incompatible materials (acids, bases, flammables,
oxidizers, reactive chemicals) in separate areas, and withcontainment facilities separating material storage areas•

Provision of material-specific storage for extremely
hazardous or reactive materials••

Use of flame arresting devices on vents from flammableand will be made of impervious, chemically resistant material.
Secondary containment design should also consider means toprevent contact between incompatible materials in the event of arelease.

storage containers

Other secondary containment measures that should be applied

Provision of grounding and lightning protection for tankdepending on site-specific conditions include:

farms, transfer stations, and other equipment that handles
flammable materials•

tanks with a total storage volume equal or greater than 1,000 liters•

in areas with surfaces sufficiently impervious to avoid loss to

Selection of materials of construction compatible withthe environment and sloped to a collection or a containment

products stored for all parts of storage and delivery systems,

structure not connected to municipal wastewater/stormwaterand avoiding reuse of tanks for different products without
checking material compatibility•

Storage of hazardous materials in an area of the facility
separated from the main production works. Where proximity
is unavoidable, physical separation should be provided using
structures designed to prevent fire, explosion, spill, and otheremergency situations from affecting facility operations

Transfer of hazardous materials from vehicle tanks to storage

collection system•

Where it is not practical to provide permanent, dedicatedcontainment structures for transfer operations, one or morealternative forms of spill containment should be provided,such as portable drain covers (which can be deployed for theduration of the operations), automatic shut-off valves onstorm water basins, or shut off valves in drainage or sewer
facilities, combined with oil-water separators

APRIL 30, 200740

Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) Guidelines
GENERAL EHS GUIDELINES: ENVIRONMENTAL
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS MANAGEMENT•••

Storage of drummed hazardous materials with a total volume

Underground Storage Tanks (USTs)45

equal or greater than 1,000 liters in areas with impervious

Although there are many environmental and safety advantages of

surfaces that are sloped or bermed to contain a minimum of

underground storage of hazardous materials, including reduced

25 percent of the total storage volume

risk of fire or explosion, and lower vapor losses into theProvision of secondary containment for components (tanks,

atmosphere, leaks of hazardous materials can go undetected forpipes) of the hazardous material storage system, to thelong periods of time with potential for soil and groundwater

extent feasible

contamination. Examples of techniques to manage these risks

Conducting periodic (e.g. daily or weekly) reconciliation ofinclude:tank contents, and inspection of visible portions of tanks andpiping for leaks;•

WORLD BANK GROUP

Use of double-walled, composite, or specially coated storage
and piping systems particularly in the use of underground•materials•

detecting leaks between the two walls.

for steel tanks•

containment, particularly in high-risk locations43. Leak detection isespecially important in situations where secondary containment is
not feasible or practicable, such as in long pipe runs. Acceptablelines that direct any leaked product to monitoring ports at thelowest point of the liner or structure•

Use of automatic pressure loss detectors on pressurized orlong distance piping•

Use of approved or certified integrity testing methods on•

Considering the use of SCADA 44 if financially feasible

Reconciling tank contents by measuring the volume in store
with the expected volume, given the stored quantity at laststocking, and deliveries to and withdrawals from the store•

Testing integrity by volumetric, vacuum, acoustic, tracers, orother means on all tanks at regular intervals•

piping or tank systems, at regular intervals•

Monitoring the surface above any tank for indications of soil
movementleak detection methods include:•

For new installations, installing impermeable liners or
structures (e.g., concrete vaults) under and around tanks andStorage Tank and Piping Leak Detection
Leak detection may be used in conjunction with secondary

Assessing local soil corrosion potential, and installing andmaintaining cathodic protection (or equivalent rust protection)

storage tanks (USTs) and underground piping. If doublewalled systems are used, they should provide a means of

Avoiding use of USTs for storage of highly soluble organic

Considering the monitoring groundwater of quality down
gradient of locations where multiple USTs are in use•

Evaluating the risk of existing UST in newly acquired facilities
to determine if upgrades are required for USTs that will be
continued to be used, including replacement with new

43

High-risk locations are places where the release of product from the storage
system could result in the contamination of drinking water source or those locatedin water resource protection areas as designated by local authorities.

systems or permanent closure of abandoned USTs.
Ensuring that new USTs are sited away from wells,

44 Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition
45 Additional details on the management of USTs is provided in the EHS

Guidelines for Retail Petroleum Stations.

APRIL 30, 200741

Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) Guidelines
GENERAL EHS GUIDELINES: ENVIRONMENTAL
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS MANAGEMENTWORLD BANK GROUP

reservoirs and other source water protection areas andthe prevention measures (see below) should be conducted atfloodplains, and maintained so as to prevent corrosion.

least every three years and should include:

Management of Major HazardsoPreparation of a report of the findingsoDetermination and documentation of the appropriate

In addition to the application of the above-referenced guidance on

response to each finding

prevention and control of releases of hazardous materials,
projects involving production, handling, and storage of hazardous
materials at or above threshold limits46 should prepare ao•Documentation that any deficiency has been corrected

Incident Investigation: Incidents can provide valuable
information about site hazards and the steps needed toHazardous Materials Risk Management Plan, in the context of its

prevent accidental releases. An incident investigation

overall ES/OHS MS, containing all of the elements presented

mechanism should include procedures for:below.47 The objective of this guidance is the prevention andcontrol of catastrophic releases of toxic, reactive, flammable, oroInitiation of the investigation promptly

explosive chemicals that may result in toxic, fire, or explosionoSummarizing the investigation in a reporthazards.48

oAddressing the report findings and recommendationso

A review of the report with staff and contractors

Management Actions•

prevention of accidents.

The technical basis for changes in processes andoperations

Employee Participation: A written plan of action should
describe an active employee participation program for theManagement of Change: These procedures should address:
o

•

•

•

Contractors: There should be a mechanism for contractoro

The impact of changes on health and safetycontrol which should include a requirement for them tooModification to operating procedures

develop hazard materials management procedures that meetoAuthorization requirements

the requirements of the hazardous materials managemento

Employees affected

plan. Their procedures should be consistent with those ofoTraining needs

the contracting company and the contractor workforce should

Compliance Audit: A compliance audit is a way to evaluate

undergo the same training. Additionally, procedures should

compliance with the prevention program requirements forrequire that contractors are:each process. A compliance audit covering each element ofoProvided with safety performance procedures and safety
and hazard information

46 Threshold quantities should be those established for emergency planningpurposes such as provided in the US Environmental Protection Agency. Protectionof Environment (Title 40 CFR Parts 300-399 and 700 to 789).
47 For further information and guidance, please refer to International FinanceCorporation (IFC) Hazardous Materials Risk Management Manual. Washington,
D.C. December 2000.
48 The approach to the management of major hazards is largely based on an
approach to Process Safety Management developed by the American Institute ofChemical Engineers.

APRIL 30, 2007

oObserve safety practicesoAct responsiblyoHave access to appropriate training for their employeesoEnsure that their employees know process hazards andapplicable emergency actions

42

Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) Guidelines
GENERAL EHS GUIDELINES: ENVIRONMENTAL
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS MANAGEMENT
Prepare and submit training records for their employees

initial startup, normal operations, temporary operations,to the contracting company

emergency shutdown, emergency operations, normal

Inform their employees about the hazards presented by

shutdown, and start-up following a normal or emergency

their work

shutdown or major change). These SOPs should includeoAssess trends of repeated similar incidents

special considerations for Mazmats used in the process oroDevelop and implement procedures to manage repeated

operations (e.g. temperature control to prevent emissions ofsimilar incidents

a volatile hazardous chemical; diversion of gaseous

o

o

•

Training: Project employees should be provided training on
Hazmat management. The training program should include:discharges of hazardous pollutants from the process to atemporary storage tank in case of emergency).

oA list of employees to be trained

Other procedures to be developed include impacts ofoSpecific training objectives

deviations, steps to avoid deviations, prevention of chemicaloMechanisms to achieve the objectives (i.e., hands-on

exposure, exposure control measures, and equipment

workshops, videos, etc.)

inspections.

oThe means to determine whether the training program iseffectiveoTraining procedures for new hires and refresher courses
for existing employees

Preventive Measures
The purpose of preventive measures is to ensure that safetyrelated aspects of the process and equipment are considered,limits to be placed on the operations are well known, andaccepted standards and codes are adopted, where they apply.
•WORLD BANK GROUP

Mechanical Integrity of process equipment, piping andinstrumentation: Inspection and maintenance proceduresshould be developed and documented to ensure mechanicalintegrity of equipment, piping, and instrumentation andprevent uncontrolled releases of hazardous materials fromthe project. These procedures should be included as part ofthe project SOPs. The specific process components of majorinterest include pressure vessels and storage tanks, piping
systems, relief and vent systems and devices, emergency
shutdown systems, controls, and pumps. Recommended

Process Safety Information: Procedures should be preparedaspects of the inspection and maintenance program include:for each hazardous materials and include:oDeveloping inspection and maintenance procedureso

Establishing a quality assurance plan for equipment,oCompilation of Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)o

Identification of maximum intended inventories and safe
upper/lower parametersomaintenance materials, and spare partsoDocumentation of equipment specifications and ofcodes and standards used to design, build and operate

maintenance proceduresoOperating Procedures: SOPs should be prepared for each

Conducting equipment, piping, and instrumentation
inspections and maintenancethe process•

Conducting employee training on the inspection andoIdentifying and correcting identified deficiencies

step of all processes or operations within the project (e.g.

APRIL 30, 200743

Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) Guidelines
GENERAL EHS GUIDELINES: ENVIRONMENTAL
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS MANAGEMENTo

Evaluating the inspection and maintenance results and,incorporated into and consistent with, the facility’s overall ES/OHS

if necessary, updating the inspection and maintenanceMS, should be prepared to cover the following:49

procedureso•WORLD BANK GROUP

Reporting the results to management.

•oInforming the public and emergency response agencies

Hot Work Permit: Hot work operations – such as brazing,oDocumenting first aid and emergency medical treatment

torch-cutting, grinding, soldering, and welding – areoTaking emergency response actions

associated with potential health, safety, and property hazardsoReviewing and updating the emergency response plan
to reflect changes, and ensuring that employees are

resulting from the fumes, gases, sparks, and hot metal andinformed of such changes

radiant energy produced during hot work. Hot work permit isrequired for any operation involving open flames or producing•

Emergency Equipment: Procedures should be prepared forheat and/or sparks. The section of SOPs on hot work shouldusing, inspecting, testing, and maintaining the emergency

include the responsibility for hot work permitting, personal

response equipment.

protection equipment (PPE), hot work procedures, personnel
training, and recordkeeping.
•

Planning Coordination: Procedures should be prepared for:•Training: Employees and contractors should be trained on
emergency response procedures.

Pre-Start Review: Procedures should be prepared to carryout pre-start reviews when a modification is significant

Community Involvement and Awarenessenough to require a change in safety information under the

When hazardous materials are in use above threshold quantities,

management of change procedure. The procedures should:

the management plan should include a system for community

o

o

o

o

Confirm that the new or modified construction and/or

awareness, notification and involvement that should beequipment meet design specificationscommensurate with the potential risks identified for the project

Ensure that procedures for safety, operation,

during the hazard assessment studies. This should include

maintenance, and emergency are adequate

mechanisms for sharing the results of hazard and risk assessment

Include a process hazard assessment, and resolve or

studies in a timely, understandable and culturally sensitive manner

implement recommendations for new processwith potentially affected communities that provides a means for

Ensure that training for all affected employees is being

public feedback. Community involvement activities should include:

conducted

Emergency Preparedness and Response
When handling hazardous materials, procedures and practices
should be developed allowing for quick and efficient responses to•

Availability of general information to the potentially affected
community on the nature and extent of project operations,and the prevention and control measures in place to ensure
no effects to human healthaccidents that could result in human injury or damage to theenvironment. An Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan,

APRIL 30, 2007

49 For a comprehensive treatment of the development of emergency responseplans in conjunction with communities refer to the Awareness and Preparedness
for Emergencies at Local Level (APELL) Guidelines available at:
http://www.uneptie.org/pc/apell/publications/handbooks.html

44

Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) Guidelines
GENERAL EHS GUIDELINES: ENVIRONMENTAL
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS MANAGEMENT•WORLD BANK GROUP

The potential for off-site effects to human health or theenvironment following an accident at planned or existinghazardous installations•

Specific and timely information on appropriate behavior andsafety measures to be adopted in the event of an accident
including practice drills in locations with higher risks•

Access to information necessary to understand the nature of
the possible effect of an accident and an opportunity tocontribute effectively, as appropriate, to decisions concerning
hazardous installations and the development of community
emergency preparedness plans.

APRIL 30, 200745

Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) Guidelines
GENERAL EHS GUIDELINES: ENVIRONMENTAL
WASTE MANAGEMENT

1.6 Waste Management
Applicability and Approach .............................................46
General Waste Management..........................................47
Waste Management Planning .................................47
Waste Prevention...................................................47
Recycling and Reuse..............................................48
Treatment and Disposal..........................................48
Hazardous Waste Management......................................48
Waste Storage .......................................................48
Transportation........................................................49
Treatment and Disposal..........................................49
Commercial or Government Waste Contractors....49
Small Quantities of Hazardous Waste ..................50
Monitoring..............................................................50

WORLD BANK GROUP

residual waste from industrial operations, such as boiler slag,
clinker, and fly ash.
Hazardous waste shares the properties of a hazardous
material (e.g. ignitability, corrosivity, reactivity, or toxicity), or
other physical, chemical, or biological characteristics thatmay pose a potential risk to human health or the environment
if improperly managed. Wastes may also be defined as“hazardous” by local regulations or international conventions,based on the origin of the waste and its inclusion on
hazardous waste lists, or based on its characteristics.
Sludge from a waste treatment plant, water supply treatment
plant, or air pollution control facility, and other discarded

Applicability and Approach
These guidelines apply to projects that generate, store, or
handle any quantity of waste across a range of industry
sectors. It is not intended to apply to projects or facilities

material, including solid, liquid, semisolid, or contained
gaseous material resulting from industrial operations needs
to be evaluated on a case-by-case basis to establish whether
it constitutes a hazardous or a non-hazardous waste.

where the primary business is the collection, transportation,

Facilities that generate and store wastes should practice thetreatment, or disposal of wastes. Specific guidance for thesefollowing:types of facilities is presented in the Environmental Healthand Safety (EHS) Guidelines for Waste Management•

Establishing waste management priorities at the outsetof activities based on an understanding of potential

Facilities.

Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) risks and

A waste is any solid, liquid, or contained gaseous material

impacts and considering waste generation and itsthat is being discarded by disposal, recycling, burning orconsequences

incineration. It can be byproduct of a manufacturing process•

Establishing a waste management hierarchy thator an obsolete commercial product that can no longer beconsiders prevention, reduction, reuse, recovery,

used for intended purpose and requires disposal.

recycling, removal and finally disposal of wastes.
•

Solid (non-hazardous) wastes generally include any garbage,refuse. Examples of such waste include domestic trash andgarbage; inert construction / demolition materials; refuse,

Avoiding or minimizing the generation waste materials,
as far as practicable•

Where waste generation cannot be avoided but has
been minimized, recovering and reusing waste

such as metal scrap and empty containers (except thosepreviously used to contain hazardous materials which should,
in principle, be managed as a hazardous waste); andAPRIL 30, 2007

46

Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) Guidelines
GENERAL EHS GUIDELINES: ENVIRONMENTAL
WASTE MANAGEMENT•

Where waste can not be recovered or reused, treating,WORLD BANK GROUP•

site storage

destroying, and disposing of it in an environmentallysound manner

Definition of procedures and operational controls for on-•

Definition of options / procedures / operational controls
for treatment and final disposal

General Waste Management
The following guidance applies to the management of non-

Waste Prevention

hazardous and hazardous waste. Additional guidance

Processes should be designed and operated to prevent, or

specifically applicable to hazardous wastes is presented

minimize, the quantities of wastes generated and hazards

below. Waste management should be addressed through a

associated with the wastes generated in accordance with the

Waste management system that addresses issues linked tofollowing strategy:

waste minimization, generation, transport, disposal, andmonitoring.

Waste Management Planning
Facilities that generate waste should characterize their waste•

or toxic materials, or with those where processing
generates lower waste volumes•

including modification of design of the production

generation rates, or according to local regulatory
waste management strategies should include:••

Instituting good housekeeping and operating practices,
including inventory control to reduce the amount ofwaste resulting from materials that are out-of-date, off-and design activities, including during equipment

specification, contaminated, damaged, or excess tomodifications and process alterations, to identify

plant needs

opportunities, and necessary treatment, storage, and•Instituting procurement measures that recognize
opportunities to return usable materials such as

disposal infrastructure

containers and which prevents the over ordering ofCollection of data and information about the processmaterials

and waste streams in existing facilities, including
characterization of waste streams by type, quantities,•

process, operating conditions, and process controls50

Review of new waste sources during planning, siting,expected waste generation, pollution prevention•

Applying manufacturing process that convert materials
efficiently, providing higher product output yields,

according to composition, source, types of wastes produced,
requirements. Effective planning and implementation of

Substituting raw materials or inputs with less hazardous•

Minimizing hazardous waste generation byimplementing stringent waste segregation to prevent theand potential use/dispositioncommingling of non-hazardous and hazardous waste to

Establishment of priorities based on a risk analysis thatbe managed

takes into account the potential EHS risks during thewaste cycle and the availability of infrastructure to
manage the waste in an environmentally sound manner•

Definition of opportunities for source reduction, as well
as reuse and recycling

APRIL 30, 2007

50 Examples of waste prevention strategies include the concept of Lean

Manufacturing found at
http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/hazwaste/minimize/lean.htm

47

Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) Guidelines
GENERAL EHS GUIDELINES: ENVIRONMENTAL
WASTE MANAGEMENTWORLD BANK GROUP

Recycling and Reuse

wastes; properly designed, permitted and operated

In addition to the implementation of waste prevention

landfills or incinerators designed for the respective typestrategies, the total amount of waste may be significantlyof waste; or other methods known to be effective in the

reduced through the implementation of recycling plans, whichsafe, final disposal of waste materials such as

should consider the following elements:bioremediation.

•

Evaluation of waste production processes andidentification of potentially recyclable materials•

Identification and recycling of products that can bereintroduced into the manufacturing process or industry
activity at the site•

Hazardous wastes should always be segregated from nonhazardous wastes. If generation of hazardous waste can not
be prevented through the implementation of the above
general waste management practices, its management

Investigation of external markets for recycling by othershould focus on the prevention of harm to health, safety, andindustrial processing operations located in thethe environment, according to the following additional

neighborhood or region of the facility (e.g., waste

principles:exchange)•

Hazardous Waste Management

Establishing recycling objectives and formal tracking of•with the management of any generated hazardous

waste generation and recycling rates•

Providing training and incentives to employees in order
to meet objectives

Understanding potential impacts and risks associatedwaste during its complete life cycle•

Ensuring that contractors handling, treating, anddisposing of hazardous waste are reputable andTreatment and Disposal

legitimate enterprises, licensed by the relevant

If waste materials are still generated after the implementation

regulatory agencies and following good internationalof feasible waste prevention, reduction, reuse, recovery andindustry practice for the waste being handled

recycling measures, waste materials should be treated anddisposed of and all measures should be taken to avoid
potential impacts to human health and the environment.
Selected management approaches should be consistent with•

Ensuring compliance with applicable local andinternational regulations51

Waste Storage

the characteristics of the waste and local regulations, andHazardous waste should be stored so as to prevent or

may include one or more of the following:

control accidental releases to air, soil, and water resources in•area location where:
On-site or off-site biological, chemical, or physicaltreatment of the waste material to render it nonhazardous prior to final disposal•

Treatment or disposal at permitted facilities speciallydesigned to receive the waste. Examples include:

51 International requirements may include host-country commitments

under the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements ofHazardous Waste and their disposal (http://www.basel.int/) and Rotterdam
Convention on the prior Inform Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous
Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade (http://www.pic.int/)

composting operations for organic non-hazardous
APRIL 30, 200748

Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) Guidelines
GENERAL EHS GUIDELINES: ENVIRONMENTAL
WASTE MANAGEMENT•

Waste is stored in a manner that prevents theWORLD BANK GROUP•

commingling or contact between incompatible wastes,emergency plans to address their accidental releaseand allows for inspection between containers to monitor(additional information on Emergency Plans in provided

leaks or spills. Examples include sufficient spacein Section 3 of this document)

between incompatibles or physical separation such as•

walls or containment curbs
•
•

•

•

Transportation

Secondary containment systems should be constructed

On-site and Off-site transportation of waste should bewith materials appropriate for the wastes being

conducted so as to prevent or minimize spills, releases, andcontained and adequate to prevent loss to the

exposures to employees and the public. All wasteenvironment

containers designated for off-site shipment should be

Secondary containment is included wherever liquid

secured and labeled with the contents and associatedwastes are stored in volumes greater than 220 liters.

hazards, be properly loaded on the transport vehicles before

The available volume of secondary containment should

leaving the site, and be accompanied by a shipping paper

be at least 110 percent of the largest storage container,(i.e., manifest) that describes the load and its associatedor 25 percent of the total storage capacity (whichever ishazards, consistent with the guidance provided in Section 3.4

greater), in that specific locationon the Transport of Hazardous Materials.

Provide adequate ventilation where volatile wastes are

special management actions, conducted by employees who
have received specific training in handling and storage ofhazardous wastes:
Provision of readily available information on chemicalcompatibility to employees, including labeling eachcontainer to identify its contents
Limiting access to hazardous waste storage areas toemployees who have received proper training•

Treatment and Disposal
In addition to the recommendations for treatment anddisposal applicable to general wastes, the following issues
specific to hazardous wastes should be considered:Commercial or Government Waste Contractors
In the absence of qualified commercial or government-owned
waste vendors (taking into consideration proximity andtransportation requirements), facilities generating waste
should consider using:•

Have the technical capability to manage the waste in a

Clearly identifying (label) and demarcating the area,manner that reduces immediate and future impact to theincluding documentation of its location on a facility map

environment

or site plan•piping of hazardous waste

wind and rain

Hazardous waste storage activities should also be subject to•

Avoiding underground storage tanks and underground

Store in closed containers away from direct sunlight,

stored.

•Preparing and implementing spill response andConducting periodic inspections of waste storage areas•

Have all required permits, certifications, and approvals,
of applicable government authorities

and documenting the findings
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Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) Guidelines
GENERAL EHS GUIDELINES: ENVIRONMENTAL
WASTE MANAGEMENT•WORLD BANK GROUP

Have been secured through the use of formal

are generated and stored on site, monitoring activities

procurement agreements

should include:oIn the absence of qualified commercial or government-owned

indications of loss

waste disposal operators (taking into consideration proximityoand transportation requirements), project sponsors shouldoInstalling on-site waste treatment or recycling

required and employing the practice of keeping

As a final option, constructing facilities that will provide

locks and safety equipment in standby position

for the environmental sound long-term storage ofwhen the area is not occupied)

wastes on-site (as described elsewhere in the General
EHS Guidelines) or at an alternative appropriateoChecking the operability of emergency systemsoDocumenting results of testing for integrity,

location up until external commercial options become

emissions, or monitoring stations (air, soil vapor, oravailable

groundwater)oSmall Quantities of Hazardous Waste

materials in storage

quantities by many projects through a variety of activities••

Tracking of waste generation trends by type and amountof waste generated, preferably by facility departments

lubricating oil; used batteries (such as nickel-cadmium orlead acid); and lighting equipment, such as lamps or lamp

Regular audits of waste segregation and collection
practices

Examples of these types of wastes include: spent solventsand oily rags, empty paint cans, chemical containers; used

Documenting any changes to the storage facility,
and any significant changes in the quantity ofHazardous waste materials are frequently generated in small
such as equipment and building maintenance activities.

Verification of locks, emergency valves, and othersafety devices for easy operation (lubricating if

processes•

Identification of cracks, corrosion, or damage totanks, protective equipment, or floors

consider using:•

Inspection of vessels for leaks, drips or other•

Characterizing waste at the beginning of generation of aballasts. These wastes should be managed following the

new waste stream, and periodically documenting theguidance provided in the above sections.

characteristics and proper management of the waste,especially hazardous wastes

Monitoring•

amount of waste generated and its destination

Monitoring activities associated with the management of
hazardous and non-hazardous waste should include:•

Regular visual inspection of all waste storage collection
and storage areas for evidence of accidental releases
and to verify that wastes are properly labeled andstored. When significant quantities of hazardous wastes

APRIL 30, 2007

Keeping manifests or other records that document the•

Periodic auditing of third party treatment, and disposal
services including re-use and recycling facilities whensignificant quantities of hazardous wastes are managed
by third parties. Whenever possible, audits should
include site visits to the treatment storage and disposal
location50

Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) Guidelines
GENERAL EHS GUIDELINES: ENVIRONMENTAL
WASTE MANAGEMENT•WORLD BANK GROUP

Regular monitoring of groundwater quality in cases ofHazardous Waste on site storage and/or pretreatment
and disposal•

Monitoring records for hazardous waste collected,
stored, or shipped should include:oName and identification number of the material(s)composing the hazardous wasteoPhysical state (i.e., solid, liquid, gaseous or a
combination of one, or more, of these)oQuantity (e.g., kilograms or liters, number ofcontainers)oWaste shipment tracking documentation to include,
quantity and type, date dispatched, datetransported and date received, record of theoriginator, the receiver and the transporteroMethod and date of storing, repacking, treating, ordisposing at the facility, cross-referenced to
specific manifest document numbers applicable tothe hazardous wasteoLocation of each hazardous waste within thefacility, and the quantity at each location

APRIL 30, 2007

51

Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) Guidelines
GENERAL EHS GUIDELINES: ENVIRONMENTAL
NOISE MANAGEMENTWORLD BANK GROUP

barrier. Barriers should be located as close to the

1.7 Noise

source or to the receptor location to be effective

Applicability•

Installing vibration isolation for mechanical equipment

This section addresses impacts of noise beyond the property•

Limiting the hours of operation for specific pieces ofboundary of the facilities. Worker exposure to noise isequipment or operations, especially mobile sources

covered in Section 2.0 on Occupational Health and Safety.

operating through community areas

Prevention and Control
Noise prevention and mitigation measures should be applied•advantage of distance and shielding•

where predicted or measured noise impacts from a project
facility or operations exceed the applicable noise level•••

Selecting equipment with lower sound power levels•

Installing silencers for fans•

Installing suitable mufflers on engine exhausts andcompressor components•

Installing acoustic enclosures for equipment casingradiating noise•

Reducing project traffic routing through community
areas wherever possible•

emissions depend on the source and proximity of receptors.
Noise reduction options that should be considered include:

Taking advantage of the natural topography as a noise
buffer during facility design

sources is to implement noise control measures at source.53
Methods for prevention and control of sources of noise

Siting permanent facilities away from community areas if
possibleguideline at the most sensitive point of reception.52 The
preferred method for controlling noise from stationary

Re-locating noise sources to less sensitive areas to take

Planning flight routes, timing and altitude for aircraft(airplane and helicopter) flying over community areas•

Developing a mechanism to record and respond tocomplaints

Noise Level Guidelines
Noise impacts should not exceed the levels presented inTable 1.7.1, or result in a maximum increase in backgroundlevels of 3 dB at the nearest receptor location off-site.

Improving the acoustic performance of constructedbuildings, apply sound insulation•

Installing acoustic barriers without gaps and with acontinuous minimum surface density of 10 kg/m2 inorder to minimize the transmission of sound through the

52 A point of reception or receptor may be defined as any point on thepremises occupied by persons where extraneous noise and/or vibration arereceived. Examples of receptor locations may include: permanent or
seasonal residences; hotels / motels; schools and daycares; hospitals andnursing homes; places of worship; and parks and campgrounds.
53 At the design stage of a project, equipment manufacturers should provide

design or construction specifications in the form of “Insertion Loss
Performance” for silencers and mufflers, and “Transmission Loss
Performance” for acoustic enclosures and upgraded building construction.

APRIL 30, 200752

Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) Guidelines
GENERAL EHS GUIDELINES: ENVIRONMENTAL
NOISE MANAGEMENTWORLD BANK GROUP

m to any reflecting surface (e.g., wall). In general, the noise

Table 1.7.1- Noise Level Guidelines 54

level limit is represented by the background or ambient noise

One Hour L Aeq (dBA)

Receptor

Daytime
07:00 - 22:00

Nighttime
22:00 - 07:00

Residential; institutional;
educational55

55

45

Industrial; commercial

70

70levels that would be present in the absence of the facility or
noise source(s) under investigation.

Highly intrusive noises, such as noise from aircraft flyovers
and passing trains, should not be included when establishingbackground noise levels.

Monitoring
Noise monitoring56 may be carried out for the purposes of
establishing the existing ambient noise levels in the area ofthe proposed or existing facility, or for verifying operational
phase noise levels.
Noise monitoring programs should be designed andconducted by trained specialists. Typical monitoring periods
should be sufficient for statistical analysis and may last 48
hours with the use of noise monitors that should be capableof logging data continuously over this time period, or hourly,
or more frequently, as appropriate (or else cover differing
time periods within several days, including weekday andweekend workdays). The type of acoustic indices recorded
depends on the type of noise being monitored, as
established by a noise expert. Monitors should be locatedapproximately 1.5 m above the ground and no closer than 3
54 Guidelines values are for noise levels measured out of doors. Source:

Guidelines for Community Noise, World Health Organization (WHO), 1999.
55 For acceptable indoor noise levels for residential, institutional, andeducational settings refer to WHO (1999).

56 Noise monitoring should be carried out using a Type 1 or 2 sound level

meter meeting all appropriate IEC standards.

APRIL 30, 200753

Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) Guidelines
GENERAL EHS GUIDELINES: ENVIRONMENTAL
CONTAMINATED LANDWORLD BANK GROUP

1.8 Contaminated Land•

The liability that it may pose to the polluter/businessowners (e.g., cost of remediation, damage of business

Applicability and Approach .............................................54
Risk Screening ..............................................................55
Interim Risk Management ..............................................56
Detailed Risk Assessment..............................................56
Permanent Risk Reduction Measures.............................57
Occupational Health and Safety Considerations..............59

reputation and/or business-community relations) or
affected parties (e.g. workers at the site, nearby property
owners).
Contamination of land should be avoided by preventing or

Applicability and ApproachThis section provides a summary of management
approaches for land contamination due to anthropogenic
releases of hazardous materials, wastes, or oil, including
naturally occurring substances. Releases of these materials

controlling the release of hazardous materials, hazardous
wastes, or oil to the environment. When contamination of land issuspected or confirmed during any project phase, the cause of
the uncontrolled release should be identified and corrected to
avoid further releases and associated adverse impacts.

may be the result of historic or current site activities,

Contaminated lands should be managed to avoid the risk toincluding, but not limited to, accidents during their handlinghuman health and ecological receptors. The preferred strategy

and storage, or due to their poor management or disposal.

for land decontamination is to reduce the level of contamination

Land is considered contaminated when it contains hazardous
materials or oil concentrations above background or naturally
occurring levels.
Contaminated lands may involve surficial soils or subsurface
soils that, through leaching and transport, may affectgroundwater, surface water, and adjacent sites. Where
subsurface contaminant sources include volatile substances,soil vapor may also become a transport and exposure
medium, and create potential for contaminant infiltration ofat the site while preventing the human exposure tocontamination.
To determine whether risk management actions are warranted,
the following assessment approach should be applied toestablish whether the three risk factors of ‘Contaminants’,‘Receptors’, and ‘Exposure Pathways’ co-exist, or are likely toco-exist, at the project site under current or possible future landuse:•

Contaminant(s): Presence of hazardous materials, waste,or oil in any environmental media at potentially hazardous

indoor air spaces of buildings.

concentrations
Contaminated land is a concern because of:••plants, and other living organisms with the contaminants of

The potential risks to human health and ecology (e.g.
risk of cancer or other human health effects, loss of
ecology);

Receptor(s): Actual or likely contact of humans, wildlife,
concern•

Exposure pathway(s): A combination of the route of
migration of the contaminant from its point of release (e.g.,leaching into potable groundwater) and exposure routes

APRIL 30, 2007

54

Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) Guidelines
GENERAL EHS GUIDELINES: ENVIRONMENTAL
CONTAMINATED LAND
(e.g., ingestion, transdermal absorption), which wouldWORLD BANK GROUP•

Identification of the location of suspected highest level ofallow receptor(s) to come into actual contact withcontamination through a combination of visual andcontaminants

historical operational information;•

Sampling and testing of the contaminated media (soils or
water) according to established technical methods
applicable to suspected type of contaminant57,58;•

Evaluation of the analytical results against the local andnational contaminated sites regulations. In the absence ofsuch regulations or environmental standards, other sourcesof risk-based standards or guidelines should be consulted
to obtain comprehensive criteria for screening soil
concentrations of pollutants.59•

Verification of the potential human and/or ecological
receptors and exposure pathways relevant to the site inquestion

FIGURE 1.8.1: Inter-Relationship of Contaminant
Risk Factors

The outcome of risk-screening may reveal that there is nooverlap between the three risk-factors as the contaminant levels
identified are below those considered to pose a risk to human

When the three risk factors are considered to be present (inhealth or the environment. Alternatively, interim or permanent

spite of limited data) under current or foreseeable future
conditions, the following steps should be followed (asdescribed in the remaining parts of this section):1)

Risk screening;

2)

Interim risk management;

3)

Detailed quantitative risk assessment; and4)Permanent risk reduction measures.

Risk Screening
This step is also known as “problem formulation” forenvironmental risk assessment. Where there is potential
evidence of contamination at a site, the following steps arerecommended:

APRIL 30, 2007

57 BC MOE. http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/epd/epdpa/contam_sites/guidance
58 Massachusetts Department of Environment.

http://www.mass.gov/dep/cleanup

59 These may include the USEPA Region 3 Risk-Based Concentrations (RBCs).

http://www.epa.gov/reg3hwmd/risk/human/index.htm. These RBCs are
considered acceptable for specific land use and contaminant exposure
scenarios as they have been developed by governments using risk assessment
techniques for use as general targets in the site remediation. Separate PRGs
have been developed or adopted for soil, sediment or groundwater, and often adistinction is made between land uses (as noted earlier) because of the need formore stringent guidelines for residential and agricultural versus
commercial/industrial landuse. The RBC Tables contains Reference Doses(RfDs) and Cancer Slope Factors (CSFs) for about 400 chemicals. These
toxicity factors have been combined with “standard” exposure scenarios tocalculate RBCs--chemical concentrations corresponding to fixed levels of risk
(i.e., a Hazard Quotient (HQ) of 1, or lifetime cancer risk of 1E-6, whicheveroccurs at a lower concentration) in water, air, fish tissue, and soil for individual
chemical substances. The primary use of RBCs is for chemical screening duringbaseline risk assessment (see EPA Regional Guidance EPA/903/R-93-001,“Selecting Exposure Routes and Contaminants of Concern by Risk-Based
Screening”). Additional useful soil quality guidelines can also be obtained from
Lijzen et al. 2001.

55

Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) Guidelines
GENERAL EHS GUIDELINES: ENVIRONMENTAL
CONTAMINATED LANDWORLD BANK GROUP

risk reduction measures may need to be taken with, or

strategies that yield acceptable health risks, while achieving low

without, more detailed risk assessment activities, aslevel contamination on-site. An assessment of contaminant

described below.

risks needs to be considered in the context of current and future
land use, and development scenarios (e.g., residential,

Interim Risk Management

commercial, industrial, and urban parkland or wilderness use).

Interim risk management actions should be implemented at

A detailed quantitative risk assessment builds on risk screening

any phase of the project life cycle if the presence of land

(problem formulation). It involves first, a detailed site

contamination poses an “imminent hazard”, i.e., representing

investigation to identify the scope of contamination.61 Site

an immediate risk to human health and the environment if

investigation programs should apply quality assurance/quality

contamination were allowed to continue, even a short period

control (QA/QC) measures to ensure that data quality isof time. Examples of situations considered to involve

adequate for the intended data use (e.g., method detection

imminent hazards include, but are not restricted to:limits are below levels of concern). The site investigation in turn•Presence of an explosive atmosphere caused byshould be used to develop a conceptual site model of how andcontaminated land

where contaminants exist, how they are transported, and where

Accessible and excessive contamination for which short-routes of exposure occur to organisms and humans. The risk

term exposure and potency of contaminants could result

factors and conceptual site model provide a framework forin acute toxicity, irreversible long term effects,

assessing contaminant risks.

•sensitization, or accumulation of persistentbiocumulative and toxic substances•

Concentrations of pollutants at concentrations above theRisk Based Concentrations (RBCs60) or drinking water
standards in potable water at the point of abstraction

Appropriate risk reduction should be implemented as soon aspracticable to remove the condition posing the imminent

Human or ecological risk assessments facilitate risk
management decisions at contaminated sites. Specific risk
assessment objectives include:•(e.g., children, adults, fish, wildlife)•

As an alternative to complying with numerical standards or
preliminary remediation goals, and depending on local
regulatory requirements, a detailed site-specific,
environmental risk assessment may be used to develop

60 For example, USEPA Region 3 Risk-Based Concentrations (RBCs).

http://www.epa.gov/reg3hwmd/risk/human/index.htm.

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Determining if contaminants are present at levels that pose
potential human health and/or ecological concerns (e.g.,hazard.

Detailed Risk Assessment

Identifying relevant human and ecological receptors

levels above applicable regulatory criteria based on healthor environmental risk considerations)•

Determining how human or ecological receptors are
exposed to the contaminants (e.g., ingestions of soil,
dermal contact, inhalation of dust)

61 Examples include processes defined by the American Society of Testing andMaterials (ASTM) Phase II ESA Process; the British Columbia Ministry ofEnvironment Canada (BC MOE)
http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/epd/epdpa/contam_sites/guidance); and theMassachusetts Department of Environment http://www.mass.gov/dep/cleanup.

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Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) Guidelines
GENERAL EHS GUIDELINES: ENVIRONMENTAL
CONTAMINATED LAND•

Identifying the types of adverse effects that might result•

Identifying the preferred technologies (includingfrom exposure to the contaminants (e.g., effect on target

engineering controls) needed to implement the conceptualorgan, cancer, impaired growth or reproduction) in therisk reduction measuresabsence of regulatory standards•

WORLD BANK GROUP•

reduction measures are effective

Quantifying the magnitude of health risks to human andecological receptors based on a quantitative analysis ofDeveloping a monitoring plan to ascertain whether risk•

Considering the need and appropriateness for institutional

contaminant exposure and toxicity (e.g. calculate

controls (e.g. deed restriction, land use restrictions) as part

lifetime cancer risk or ratios of estimated exposure rates

of a comprehensive approachcompared to safe exposure rates)•••

Determining how current and proposed future land use

Permanent Risk Reduction Measures

influence the predicted risks (e.g. change of land use

The risk factors and conceptual site model within thefrom industrial to residential with more sensitive

contaminant risk approach described also provide a basis to

receptors such as children)

manage and mitigate environmental contaminant health risks.

Quantifying the potential environmental and/or human

The underlying principle is to reduce, eliminate, or control any or

health risks from off-site contaminant migration (e.g.,

all of the three risk factors illustrated in Figure 1.8.1. A short list

consider if leaching and groundwater transport, orof examples of risk mitigation strategies is provided below,

surface water transport results in exposure at adjacentalthough actual strategies should be developed based on site-lands/receptors)

specific conditions, and the practicality of prevailing factors andDetermining if the risk is likely to remain stable,site constraints. Regardless of the management options

increase, or decrease with time in the absence of any

selected, the action plan should include, whenever possible,

remediation (e.g., consider if the contaminant iscontaminant source reduction (i.e., net improvement of the site)

reasonably degradable and likely to remain in place, oras part of the overall strategy towards managing health risks at

be transported to other media)62

contaminated sites, as this alone provides for improved

Addressing these objectives provides a basis to develop andenvironmental quality.

implement risk reduction measures (e.g., clean-up, on-site

Figure 1.8.2 presents a schematic of the inter-relationship of risk

controls) at the site. If such a need exists, the following

factors and example strategies to mitigate contaminant healthadditional objectives become relevant:risk by modifying the conditions of one or more risk factors to•

Determining where, and in what conceptual manner, risk

ultimately reduce contaminant exposure to the receptor. The

reduction measures should be implemented

selected approach should take into consideration the technicaland financial feasibility (e.g. operability of a selected technology
given the local availability of technical expertise and equipment

62 An example of a simplified quantitative risk assessment method is the

ASTM E1739-95(2002) Standard Guide for Risk-Based Corrective Action
Applied at Petroleum Release Sites and the ASTM E2081-00(2004)e1
Standard Guide for Risk-Based Corrective Action (at chemical release sites).

APRIL 30, 2007

and its associated costs).
Example risk mitigation strategies for contaminant source andexposure concentrations include:57

Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) Guidelines
GENERAL EHS GUIDELINES: ENVIRONMENTAL
CONTAMINATED LAND•

Soil, sediment, and sludge:

Installation (during building construction) of an

In situ biological treatment (aerobic or anaerobic)

impermeable barrier below the building and/or anoIn situ physical/chemical treatment (e.g., soil vapor

alternative flow pathway for soil vapor beneathextraction with off-gas treatment, chemicalbuilding foundations (e.g., porous media andoxidation)

ventilation to shunt vapors away from building)

o

o

o

In situ thermal treatment (e.g., steam injection, 6-

Example risk mitigation strategies for receptors include:

phase heating)•

Limiting or preventing access to contaminant by receptors

Ex situ biological treatment (e.g., excavation and(actions targeted at the receptor may include signage withcomposting)

instructions, fencing, or site security)

Ex situ physical/chemical treatment (e.g.,•

Imposing health advisory or prohibiting certain practices

excavation and stabilization)

leading to exposure such as fishing, crab trapping, shellfish

Ex situ thermal treatment (e.g., excavation andcollection

thermal desorption or incineration)•

Educating receptors (people) to modify behavior in order tooContainment (e.g. landfill)

reduce exposure (e.g., improved work practices, and use ofoNatural attenuation

protective clothing and equipment)oOther treatment processes

Groundwater, surface water, and leachate:oIn situ biological treatment (aerobic and/or aerobic)oIn situ physical/chemical treatment (e.g., airsparging, zero-valent iron permeable reactive
barrier)otreatment)oContainment (e.g., slurry wall or sheet pile barrier)oNatural attenuationoOther treatment processes

Soil vapor intrusion:ooExample risk mitigation strategies for exposure pathways
include:•Providing an alternative water supply to replace, forexample, a contaminated groundwater supply well•

Capping contaminated soil with at least 1m of clean soil toprevent human contact, as well as plant root or small

Ex situ biological, physical, and or chemicaltreatment (i.e., groundwater extraction and

•

o

o

o

•

WORLD BANK GROUP

mammal penetration into contaminated soils•

Paving over contaminated soil as an interim measure tonegate the pathway of direct contact or dust generationand inhalation•

Using an interception trench and pump, and treat
technologies to prevent contaminated groundwater fromdischarging into fish streams

Soil vapor extraction to reduce VOC contaminant

The above-reference containment measures should also be

source in soil

considered for immediate implementation in situations where

Installation of a sub-slab depressurization systemsource reduction measures are expected to take time.

to prevent migration of soil vapor into the buildingoCreating a positive pressure condition in buildings

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58

Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) Guidelines
GENERAL EHS GUIDELINES: ENVIRONMENTAL
CONTAMINATED LANDWORLD BANK GROUP

Occupational Health and Safety
Considerations
Investigation and remediation of contaminated lands requiresthat workers be mindful of the occupational exposures that
could arise from working in close contact with contaminatedsoil or other environmental media (e.g., groundwater,
wastewater, sediments, and soil vapor). Occupational healthand safety precautions should be exercised to minimize
exposure, as described in Section 2 on Occupational Healthand Safety. In addition, workers on contaminated sites
should receive special health and safety training specific tocontaminated site investigation and remediation activities.63

FIGURE 1.8.2: Inter-Relationship of Risk Factors
and Management Options

63 For example, US Occupational Safety and Health Agency (OSHA)

regulations found at 40 CFR 1910.120.
http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=STAN
DARDS&p_id=9765

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Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) Guidelines
GENERAL EHS GUIDELINES: OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETYWORLD BANK GROUP

2.0 Occupational Health and Safety
Applicability and Approach......................................60
2.1 General Facility Design and Operation......................61
Integrity of Workplace Structures..........................61
Severe Weather and Facility Shutdown ................61
Workspace and Exit.............................................61
Fire Precautions ..................................................62
Lavatories and Showers.......................................62
Potable Water Supply ..........................................62
Clean Eating Area ...............................................62
Lighting...............................................................62
Safe Access........................................................62
First Aid...............................................................63
Air Supply............................................................63
Work Environment Temperature...........................63
2.2 Communication and Training....................................63
OHS Training ......................................................63
Visitor Orientation................................................63
New Task Employee and Contractor Training.......63
Basic OHS Training .............................................64
Area Signage ......................................................64
Labeling of Equipment.........................................64
Communicate Hazard Codes ...............................64
2.3 Physical Hazards .....................................................64
Rotating and Moving Equipment...........................65
Noise ..................................................................65
Vibration..............................................................65
Electrical .............................................................66
Eye Hazards........................................................67
Welding / Hot Work..............................................67
Industrial Vehicle Driving and Site Traffic..............67
Working Environment Temperature......................68
Ergonomics, Repetitive Motion, Manual Handling.68
Working at Heights ..............................................68
Illumination..........................................................69
2.4 Chemical Hazards....................................................69
Air Quality ...........................................................70
Fire and Explosions .............................................70
Corrosive, oxidizing, and reactive chemicals.........71
Asbestos Containing Materials (ACM)..................71
2.5 Biological Hazards....................................................71
2.6 Radiological Hazards................................................73
2.7 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).......................73
2.8 Special Hazard Environments...................................74
Confined Space...................................................74
Lone and Isolated Workers ..................................75
2.9 Monitoring................................................................75
Accidents and Diseases monitoring......................76

Applicability and Approach
Employers and supervisors are obliged to implement allreasonable precautions to protect the health and safety ofworkers. This section provides guidance and examples ofreasonable precautions to implement in managing principal risks
to occupational health and safety. Although the focus is placed on
the operational phase of projects, much of the guidance also
applies to construction and decommissioning activities.
Companies should hire contractors that have the technicalcapability to manage the occupational health and safety issues of
their employees, extending the application of the hazard
management activities through formal procurement agreements.
Preventive and protective measures should be introduced
according to the following order of priority:•

Eliminating the hazard by removing the activity from the work
process. Examples include substitution with less hazardous
chemicals, using different manufacturing processes, etc;•

Controlling the hazard at its source through use ofengineering controls. Examples include local exhaust
ventilation, isolation rooms, machine guarding, acoustic
insulating, etc;•

Minimizing the hazard through design of safe work systems
and administrative or institutional control measures.
Examples include job rotation, training safe work procedures,lock-out and tag-out, workplace monitoring, limiting exposure
or work duration, etc.

•

Providing appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) in
conjunction with training, use, and maintenance of the PPE.

The application of prevention and control measures to
occupational hazards should be based on comprehensive job
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Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) Guidelines
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safety or job hazard analyses. The results of these analyses

Table 2.1.1. Risk Ranking Table to Classify Worker
Scenarios Based on Likelihood and Consequence

should be prioritized as part of an action plan based on thelikelihood and severity of the consequence of exposure to theidentified hazards. An example of a qualitative risk ranking orConsequences

analysis matrix to help identify priorities is described in Table
2.1.1.
Likelihood

2.1 General Facility Design andOperation

A. AlmostcertainIntegrity of Workplace Structures

B. Likely

Permanent and recurrent places of work should be designed andInsignificant

CatasMinor Moderate Major trophic

1

2

3

4

5

L

M

E

E

E

L

M

H

E

E

L

M

H

E

E

L

L

M

H

E

L

L

M

H

H

equipped to protect OHS:•C.
Moderate

Surfaces, structures and installations should be easy to clean
and maintain, and not allow for accumulation of hazardous

D. Unlikely

compounds.
•

Buildings should be structurally safe, provide appropriate

E. Rareprotection against the climate, and have acceptable light andnoise conditions.
•

LegendFire resistant, noise-absorbing materials should, to the extent

E: extreme risk; immediate action required

feasible, be used for cladding on ceilings and walls.

H: high risk; senior management attention needed•

Floors should be level, even, and non-skid.

M: moderate risk; management responsibility should be specified•

Heavy oscillating, rotating or alternating equipment should be

L: low risk; manage by routine procedures

located in dedicated buildings or structurally isolated
sections.

Severe Weather and Facility Shutdown••

area designated for safe refuge, if appropriate.
Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) should be developed
for project or process shut-down, including an evacuation
plan. Drills to practice the procedure and plan should also be
undertaken annually.

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The space provided for each worker, and in total, should be
adequate for safe execution of all activities, including

Work place structures should be designed and constructed towithstand the expected elements for the region and have an•

Workspace and Exit

transport and interim storage of materials and products.
•

Passages to emergency exits should be unobstructed at all
times. Exits should be clearly marked to be visible in total
darkness. The number and capacity of emergency exits
should be sufficient for safe and orderly evacuation of thegreatest number of people present at any time, and there
should be a minimum two exits from any work area.

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Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) Guidelines
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Facilities also should be designed and built taking into

Potable Water Supply

account the needs of disabled persons.

•provided from a fountain with an upward jet or with a sanitaryFire Precautions
The workplace should be designed to prevent the start of fires
through the implementation of fire codes applicable to industrial

means of collecting the water for the purposes of drinking•

Equipping facilities with fire detectors, alarm systems, and•meet drinking water quality standards

fire-fighting equipment. The equipment should be maintained

Clean Eating Area

in good working order and be readily accessible. It should be•poisonous by ingestion, suitable arrangements are to beequipment installed, physical and chemical properties ofmade for provision of clean eating areas where workers aresubstances present, and the maximum number of people

not exposed to the hazardous or noxious substances

Provision of manual firefighting equipment that is easily

Lighting

accessible and simple to use•

light and be supplemented with sufficient artificial illumination

visibleto promote workers’ safety and health, and enable safe
equipment operation. Supplemental ‘task lighting’ may berequired where specific visual acuity requirements should beaccessible to the public (See Section 3.3).

Lavatories and Showers

met.
•artificial light source to ensure safe shut-down, evacuation,etc.

work in the facility and allowances made for segregatedfacilities, or for indicating whether the toilet facility is “In Use”
or “Vacant”. Toilet facilities should also be provided withadequate supplies of hot and cold running water, soap, andSafe Access•ingestion and skin contamination may occur, facilities forand appropriate access•

Equipment and installations requiring servicing, inspection,
and/or cleaning should have unobstructed, unrestricted, andshowering and changing into and out of street and work
clothes should be provided.

Passageways for pedestrians and vehicles within and outsidebuildings should be segregated and provide for easy, safe,

hand drying devices.
Where workers may be exposed to substances poisonous by

Emergency lighting of adequate intensity should be installed
and automatically activated upon failure of the principal

Adequate lavatory facilities (toilets and washing areas)
should be provided for the number of people expected to•Workplaces should, to the degree feasible, receive natural

Fire and emergency alarm systems that are both audible and

The IFC Life and Fire Safety Guideline should apply to buildings•

Where there is potential for exposure to substances

adequate for the dimensions and use of the premises,

present.
•

Water supplied to areas of food preparation or for the
purpose of personal hygiene (washing or bathing) should

settings. Other essential measures include:•

Adequate supplies of potable drinking water should beready access•

Hand, knee and foot railings should be installed on stairs,
fixed ladders, platforms, permanent and interim floor
openings, loading bays, ramps, etc.

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Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) Guidelines
GENERAL EHS GUIDELINES: OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETYWORLD BANK GROUP•

Openings should be sealed by gates or removable chainsmicroorganisms. Heating, ventilation and air conditioning•

Covers should, if feasible, be installed to protect against(HVAC) and industrial evaporative cooling systems should befalling items

equipped, maintained and operated so as to prevent growth

Measures to prevent unauthorized access to dangerous

and spreading of disease agents (e.g. Legionnella

areas should be in placepneumophilia) or breeding of vectors (e.g. mosquitoes and•flies) of public health concern.

First Aid••

The employer should ensure that qualified first-aid can beWork Environment Temperatureprovided at all times. Appropriately equipped first-aid stations•

should be easily accessible throughout the place of work

facilities should, during service hours, be maintained at a

Eye-wash stations and/or emergency showers should be

level appropriate for the purpose of the facility.

provided close to all workstations where immediate flushingwith water is the recommended first-aid response•

Where the scale of work or the type of activity being carriedout so requires, dedicated and appropriately equipped firstaid room(s) should be provided. First aid stations and rooms

2.2 Communication and Training
OHS Training•

the basic site rules of work at / on the site and of personal

protection against direct contact with blood and other body
fluidsRemote sites should have written emergency procedures inprotection and preventing injury to fellow employees.
•

procedures for fire, evacuation, and natural disaster, as

the point at which patient care can be transferred to an

appropriate. Any site-specific hazard or color coding in use

appropriate medical facility.

•

Sufficient fresh air should be supplied for indoor and confined
work spaces. Factors to be considered in ventilation design

should be thoroughly reviewed as part of orientation training.

Visitor Orientation•

orientation and control program should be established torelated emissions. Air distribution systems should beensure visitors do not enter hazard areas unescorted.

designed so as not to expose workers to draughts
Mechanical ventilation systems should be maintained in goodworking order. Point-source exhaust systems required formaintaining a safe ambient environment should have local
indicators of correct functioning.
•If visitors to the site can gain access to areas where
hazardous conditions or substances may be present, a visitor

include physical activity, substances in use, and process-•Training should consist of basic hazard awareness, sitespecific hazards, safe work practices, and emergency

place for dealing with cases of trauma or serious illness up to

Air Supply

Provisions should be made to provide OHS orientation
training to all new employees to ensure they are apprised ofshould be equipped with gloves, gowns, and masks for•

The temperature in work, rest room and other welfare

New Task Employee and Contractor Training•

The employer should ensure that workers and contractors,
prior to commencement of new assignments, have received
adequate training and information enabling them to

Re-circulation of contaminated air is not acceptable. Air inlet
filters should be kept clean and free of dust and

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Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) Guidelines
GENERAL EHS GUIDELINES: OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETYWORLD BANK GROUP

understand work hazards and to protect their health from•

Signage should be in accordance with international

hazardous ambient factors that may be present.

standards and be well known to, and easily understood by

The training should adequately cover:workers, visitors and the general public as appropriate.

oKnowledge of materials, equipment, and toolsoKnown hazards in the operations and how they arecontrolled

Labeling of Equipment•

All vessels that may contain substances that are hazardousoPotential risks to healthas a result of chemical or toxicological properties, oroPrecautions to prevent exposure

temperature or pressure, should be labeled as to theoHygiene requirements

contents and hazard, or appropriately color coded.

oWearing and use of protective equipment and clothingoAppropriate response to operation extremes, incidents

should be labeled with the direction of flow and contents ofand accidents

the pipe, or color coded whenever the pipe passing through a•

Similarly, piping systems that contain hazardous substances

wall or floor is interrupted by a valve or junction device.

Basic OHS Training•

A basic occupational training program and specialty courses

Communicate Hazard Codes

should be provided, as needed, to ensure that workers are•oriented to the specific hazards of individual workoutside the facility at emergency entrance doors and fireassignments. Training should generally be provided toemergency connection systems where they are likely to

management, supervisors, workers, and occasional visitors

come to the attention of emergency services personnel.

to areas of risks and hazards.
••

Information regarding the types of hazardous materials

Workers with rescue and first-aid duties should receive

stored, handled or used at the facility, including typical

dedicated training so as not to inadvertently aggravate

maximum inventories and storage locations, should be

exposures and health hazards to themselves or their co-shared proactively with emergency services and security

workers. Training would include the risks of becoming

personnel to expedite emergency response when needed.

infected with blood–borne pathogens through contact with•

Copies of the hazard coding system should be posted•

Representatives of local emergency and security services

bodily fluids and tissue.

should be invited to participate in periodic (annual)

Through appropriate contract specifications and monitoring,orientation tours and site inspections to ensure familiarity

the employer should ensure that service providers, as well aswith potential hazards present.

contracted and subcontracted labor, are trained adequately
before assignments begin.

2.3 Physical Hazards
Physical hazards represent potential for accident or injury or

Area Signage

illness due to repetitive exposure to mechanical action or work•

Hazardous areas (electrical rooms, compressor rooms, etc),

activity. Single exposure to physical hazards may result in a wide

installations, materials, safety measures, and emergency

range of injuries, from minor and medical aid only, to disabling,exits, etc. should be marked appropriately.

catastrophic, and/or fatal. Multiple exposures over prolonged

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Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) Guidelines
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periods can result in disabling injuries of comparable significanceNoiseand consequence.

Noise limits for different working environments are provided in

Rotating and Moving Equipment
Injury or death can occur from being trapped, entangled, or struck

Table 2.3.1.
•

85 dB(A) for a duration of more than 8 hours per day without

by machinery parts due to unexpected starting of equipment or

hearing protection. In addition, no unprotected ear should be

unobvious movement during operations. Recommended

exposed to a peak sound pressure level (instantaneous) ofprotective measures include:•

more than 140 dB(C).
Designing machines to eliminate trap hazards and ensuringthat extremities are kept out of harm’s way under normal•dB(A), the peak sound levels reach 140 dB(C), or theconsiderations include two-hand operated machines toaverage maximum sound level reaches 110dB(A). Hearing

prevent amputations or the availability of emergency stops

protective devices provided should be capable of reducing

dedicated to the machine and placed in strategic locations.
Where a machine or equipment has an exposed moving partor exposed pinch point that may endanger the safety of any

sound levels at the ear to at least 85 dB(A).
•protection can be obtained, but less easily managed, by

and protected by, a guard or other device that prevents

limiting the duration of noise exposure. For every 3 dB(A)access to the moving part or pinch point. Guards should be

increase in sound levels, the ‘allowed’ exposure period ordesigned and installed in conformance with appropriate
Turning off, disconnecting, isolating, and de-energizing

duration should be reduced by 50 percent.65•

isolation of the noise source, and other engineering controls

guarded moving parts, or in which energy can be stored (e.g.
maintenance, in conformance with a standard such as CSA
Z460 Lockout or equivalent ISO or ANSI standard•

Prior to the issuance of hearing protective devices as the
final control mechanism, use of acoustic insulating materials,(Locked Out and Tagged Out) machinery with exposed orcompressed air, electrical components) during servicing or

Although hearing protection is preferred for any period ofnoise exposure in excess of 85 dB(A), an equivalent level ofworker, the machine or equipment should be equipped with,machine safety standards.64

The use of hearing protection should be enforced actively
when the equivalent sound level over 8 hours reaches 85

operating conditions. Examples of proper design•

No employee should be exposed to a noise level greater thanshould be investigated and implemented, where feasible•

Periodic medical hearing checks should be performed on
workers exposed to high noise levels

Designing and installing equipment, where feasible, to enable

Vibration

routine service, such as lubrication, without removal of the

Exposure to hand-arm vibration from equipment such as hand andguarding devices or mechanisms

power tools, or whole-body vibrations from surfaces on which theworker stands or sits, should be controlled through choice ofequipment, installation of vibration dampening pads or devices,and limiting the duration of exposure. Limits for vibration and

64 For example: CSA Z432.04 Safe Guarding of Machinery, CSA Z434 Robot

Safety, ISO 11161 Safety of Machinery – Integrated Manufacturing Systems or
ISO 14121 Safety of Machinery – Principals of Risk Management or equivalent
ANSI standard.

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65 The American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH), 2006

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Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) Guidelines
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action values, (i.e. the level of exposure at which remediation•

warning signs

should be initiated) are provided by the ACGIH 66. Exposure levels
should be checked on the basis of daily exposure time and data

Marking all energized electrical devices and lines with•

Locking out (de-charging and leaving open with a controlledlocking device) and tagging-out (warning sign placed on theprovided by equipment manufacturers.

lock) devices during service or maintenanceElectrical•

Exposed or faulty electrical devices, such as circuit breakers,

Checking all electrical cords, cables, and hand power tools
for frayed or exposed cords and following manufacturer
recommendations for maximum permitted operating voltage

Table 2.3.1. Noise Limits for Various Working
Environmentsof the portable hand tools•

Double insulating / grounding all electrical equipment used inenvironments that are, or may become, wet; using equipment

Location/activity

Equivalent level
LAeq,8h

Maximum
LAmax,fastwith ground fault interrupter (GFI) protected circuits•

Heavy Industry (nodemand for oral
communication)

85 dB(A)110 dB(A)Protecting power cords and extension cords against damage
from traffic by shielding or suspending above traffic areas•

Appropriate labeling of service rooms housing high voltage
equipment (‘electrical hazard’) and where entry is controlledLight industry(decreasing
demand for oral
communication)

50-65 dB(A)Open offices,
control rooms,
service counters orsimilar45-50 dB(A)Individual offices(no disturbing
noise)

40-45 dB(A)Classrooms,
lecture halls

35-40 dB(A)-Hospitals

30-35 dB(A)40 dB(A)110 dB(A)or prohibited (see also Section 3 on Planning, Siting, andDesign);•-Establishing “No Approach” zones around or under highvoltage power lines in conformance with Table 2.3.2•

Rubber tired construction or other vehicles that come into
direct contact with, or arcing between, high voltage wires-

may need to be taken out of service for periods of 48 hours
and have the tires replaced to prevent catastrophic tire andwheel assembly failure, potentially causing serious injury or

panels, cables, cords and hand tools, can pose a serious risk toworkers. Overhead wires can be struck by metal devices, such as

death;•

Conducting detailed identification and marking of all buried
electrical wiring prior to any excavation work

poles or ladders, and by vehicles with metal booms. Vehicles orgrounded metal objects brought into close proximity with overhead
wires can result in arcing between the wires and the object,
without actual contact. Recommended actions include:

66 ACGIH, 2005

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Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) Guidelines
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Table 2.3.2. No Approach Zones forHigh Voltage Power Lines
Nominal phase-to-phase voltage rating
750 or more volts, but no more than 150,000 volts

Minimum
distance
3 meters•

Provisions should be made for persons who have to wear
prescription glasses either through the use overglasses orprescription hardened glasses.

Welding / Hot Work
Welding creates an extremely bright and intense light that may

More than 150,000 volts, but no more than 250,000 4.5 meters
volts

seriously injur a worker’s eyesight. In extreme cases, blindness

More than 250,000 volts

which prolonged exposure can cause serious chronic diseases.

6 meters

may result. Additionally, welding may produce noxious fumes to
Recommended measures include:

Eye Hazards•

Provision of proper eye protection such as welder goggles

Solid particles from a wide variety of industrial operations, and / or

and/or a full-face eye shield for all personnel involved in, ora liquid chemical spray may strike a worker in the eye causing an

assisting, welding operations. Additional methods may

eye injury or permanent blindness. Recommended measures

include the use of welding barrier screens around the specificinclude:work station (a solid piece of light metal, canvas, or plywood•

designed to block welding light from others). Devices to

Use of machine guards or splash shields and/or face and eye

extract and remove noxious fumes at the source may also beprotection devices, such as safety glasses with side shields,
goggles, and/or a full face shield. Specific Safe Operating
Procedures (SOPs) may be required for use of sanding andgrinding tools and/or when working around liquid chemicals.
Frequent checks of these types of equipment prior to use toensure mechanical integrity is also good practice. Machineand equipment guarding should conform to standards
published by organizations such as CSA, ANSI and ISO (seealso Section 2.3 on Rotating and Moving Equipment and 2.7
on Personal Protective Equipment).
•

Moving areas where the discharge of solid fragments, liquid,or gaseous emissions can reasonably be predicted (e.g.
discharge of sparks from a metal cutting station, pressure
relief valve discharge) away from places expected to beoccupied or transited by workers or visitors. Where machineor work fragments could present a hazard to transient
workers or passers-by, extra area guarding or proximity
restricting systems should be implemented, or PPE required
for transients and visitors.

APRIL 30, 2007

required.
•Special hot work and fire prevention precautions andStandard Operating Procedures (SOPs) should be
implemented if welding or hot cutting is undertaken outside
established welding work stations, including ‘Hot Work
Permits, stand-by fire extinguishers, stand-by fire watch, andmaintaining the fire watch for up to one hour after welding or
hot cutting has terminated. Special procedures are requiredfor hotwork on tanks or vessels that have contained
flammable materials.

Industrial Vehicle Driving and Site Traffic
Poorly trained or inexperienced industrial vehicle drivers haveincreased risk of accident with other vehicles, pedestrians, andequipment. Industrial vehicles and delivery vehicles, as well asprivate vehicles on-site, also represent potential collision
scenarios. Industrial vehicle driving and site traffic safety
practices include:67

Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) Guidelines
GENERAL EHS GUIDELINES: OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETYWORLD BANK GROUP•

Training and licensing industrial vehicle operators in the safe•

Use of protective clothing

operation of specialized vehicles such as forklifts, including•

Providing easy access to adequate hydration such as

safe loading/unloading, load limits

drinking water or electrolyte drinks, and avoiding•

Ensuring drivers undergo medical surveillance

consumption of alcoholic beverages•

Ensuring moving equipment with restricted rear visibility is••

outfitted with audible back-up alarms

Ergonomics, Repetitive Motion, Manual Handling

Establishing rights-of-way, site speed limits, vehicle

Injuries due to ergonomic factors, such as repetitive motion, over-inspection requirements, operating rules and procedures

exertion, and manual handling, take prolonged and repeated(e.g. prohibiting operation of forklifts with forks in down

exposures to develop, and typically require periods of weeks toposition), and control of traffic patterns or direction

months for recovery. These OHS problems should be minimized

Restricting the circulation of delivery and private vehicles toor eliminated to maintain a productive workplace. Controls may

defined routes and areas, giving preference to ‘one-way’

include:circulation, where appropriate•

Working Environment Temperature
Exposure to hot or cold working conditions in indoor or outdoor

operational and maintenance workers in mind•

against other occupational hazards can accentuate and aggravate
heat-related illnesses. Extreme temperatures in permanent work
environments should be avoided through implementation ofengineering controls and ventilation. Where this is not possible,
such as during short-term outdoor work, temperature-related
stress management procedures should be implemented which
include:•Monitoring weather forecasts for outdoor work to provide

Use of mechanical assists to eliminate or reduce exertions
required to lift materials, hold tools and work objects, andenvironments can result temperature stress-related injury or
death. Use of personal protective equipment (PPE) to protect

Facility and workstation design with 5th to 95th percentile

requiring multi-person lifts if weights exceed thresholds•

Selecting and designing tools that reduce force requirements
and holding times, and improve postures•

Providing user adjustable work stations•

Incorporating rest and stretch breaks into work processes,
and conducting job rotation•

Implementing quality control and maintenance programs that
reduce unnecessary forces and exertions•

Taking into consideration additional special conditions suchas left handed persons

advance warning of extreme weather and scheduling work••

accordingly

Working at Heights

Adjustment of work and rest periods according toFall prevention and protection measures should be implemented

temperature stress management procedures provided bywhenever a worker is exposed to the hazard of falling more than

ACGIH 67, depending on the temperature and workloads

two meters; into operating machinery; into water or other liquid;

Providing temporary shelters to protect against the elements

into hazardous substances; or through an opening in a work

during working activities or for use as rest areas

surface. Fall prevention / protection measures may also be
warranted on a case-specific basis when there are risks of falling

67 ACGIH, 2005

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from lesser heights. Fall prevention may include:

68Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) Guidelines
GENERAL EHS GUIDELINES: OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETYWORLD BANK GROUP

Installation of guardrails with mid-rails and toe boards at the

supplemented with dedicated work station illumination, as needed.

edge of any fall hazard area

The minimum limits for illumination intensity for a range of•Proper use of ladders and scaffolds by trained employees

locations/activities appear in Table 2.3.3.

•

Use of fall prevention devices, including safety belt andControls should include:•

lanyard travel limiting devices to prevent access to fall hazard
area, or fall protection devices such as full body harnesses
used in conjunction with shock absorbing lanyards or selfretracting inertial fall arrest devices attached to fixed anchor•

emission•

Appropriate training in use, serviceability, and integrity of the•

IR radiation and high intensity visible light should also be

Inclusion of rescue and/or recovery plans, and equipment to
respond to workers after an arrested fall

Taking precautions to minimize and control optical radiation
including direct sunlight. Exposure to high intensity UV andnecessary PPE•

Undertaking measures to eliminate glare / reflections andflickering of lights

point or horizontal life-lines•

Use of energy efficient light sources with minimum heat

controlled•

Controlling laser hazards in accordance with equipment

Illumination

specifications, certifications, and recognized safety

Work area light intensity should be adequate for the generalstandards. The lowest feasible class Laser should be applied

purpose of the location and type of activity, and should be

to minimize risks.

2.4 Chemical Hazards
Table 2.3.3. Minimum Limits For Workplace
Illumination Intensity
Location / Activity

Chemical hazards represent potential for illness or injury due tosingle acute exposure or chronic repetitive exposure to toxic,

Light Intensity

corrosive, sensitizing or oxidative substances. They also

Emergency light

10 luxrepresent a risk of uncontrolled reaction, including the risk of fire

Outdoor non working areas

20 luxSimple orientation and temporary visits (machinestorage, garage, warehouse)

50 luxWorkspace with occasional visual tasks only
100 lux(corridors, stairways, lobby, elevator, auditorium, etc.)
Medium precision work (simple assembly, roughmachine works, welding, packing, etc.)

200 lux

Precision work (reading, moderately difficult
assembly, sorting, checking, medium bench andmachine works, etc.), offices.

500 luxHigh precision work (difficult assembly, sewing, color 1,000 – 3,000
inspection, fine sorting etc.)
lux

APRIL 30, 2007

and explosion, if incompatible chemicals are inadvertently mixed.
Chemical hazards can most effectively be prevented through ahierarchical approach that includes:•

Replacement of the hazardous substance with a lesshazardous substitute•

Implementation of engineering and administrative control
measures to avoid or minimize the release of hazardous
substances into the work environment keeping the level of
exposure below internationally established or recognizedlimits•

Keeping the number of employees exposed, or likely to
become exposed, to a minimum

69Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) Guidelines
GENERAL EHS GUIDELINES: OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETYWORLD BANK GROUP•

Communicating chemical hazards to workers through•Where ambient air contains several materials that havelabeling and marking according to national and internationallysimilar effects on the same body organs (additive effects),

recognized requirements and standards, including thetaking into account combined exposures using calculations

International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSC), Materials Safety

recommended by the ACGIH 69

Data Sheets (MSDS), or equivalent. Any means of written•

Where work shifts extend beyond eight (8) hours, calculating

communication should be in an easily understood language

adjusted workplace exposure criteria recommended by theand be readily available to exposed workers and first-aid

ACGIH 70

personnel•

Training workers in the use of the available information (suchFire and Explosions

as MSDSs), safe work practices, and appropriate use of PPE

Fires and or explosions resulting from ignition of flammable

Air Quality
Poor air quality due to the release of contaminants into the work
place can result in possible respiratory irritation, discomfort, or
illness to workers. Employers should take appropriate measuresmaterials or gases can lead to loss of property as well as possible
injury or fatalities to project workers. Prevention and control
strategies include:•materials. Further, flammables storage area should be:

to maintain air quality in the work area. These include:•

Storing flammables away from ignition sources and oxidizingoRemote from entry and exit points into buildings

Maintaining levels of contaminant dusts, vapors and gases inoAway from facility ventilation intakes or vents

the work environment at concentrations below thoseoHave natural or passive floor and ceiling level ventilation

recommended by the ACGIH 68 as TWA-TLV’s (threshold limit•

and explosion venting

value)—concentrations to which most workers can beo

Use spark-proof fixtures

exposed repeatedly (8 hours/day, 40 hrs/week, week-after-oBe equipped with fire extinguishing devices and self-week), without sustaining adverse health effects.

closing doors, and constructed of materials made toDeveloping and implementing work practices to minimize

withstand flame impingement for a moderate period of

release of contaminants into the work environment including:

time

o

Direct piping of liquid and gaseous materialsoMinimized handling of dry powdered materials;

containers and additional mechanical floor level ventilation ifoEnclosed operations

materials are being, or could be, dispensed in the storageoLocal exhaust ventilation at emission / release points

area

o

Vacuum transfer of dry material rather than mechanicalor pneumatic conveyanceoIndoor secure storage, and sealed containers rather••

Providing bonding and grounding of, and between,

Where the flammable material is mainly comprised of dust,
providing electrical grounding, spark detection, and, if
needed, quenching systems

than loose storage

69 ACGIH, 2005.
68 ACGIH, 2005

APRIL 30, 2007

70 ACGIH, 2005.

70

Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) Guidelines
GENERAL EHS GUIDELINES: OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETYWORLD BANK GROUP••

Defining and labeling fire hazards areas to warn of special

Asbestos Containing Materials (ACM)

rules (e.g. prohibition in use of smoking materials, cellular

The use of asbestos containing materials (ACM) should bephones, or other potential spark generating equipment)

avoided in new buildings or as a new material in remodeling orProviding specific worker training in handling of flammablerenovation activities. Existing facilities with ACM should develop

materials, and in fire prevention or suppression

an asbestos management plan which clearly identifies theCorrosive, oxidizing, and reactive chemicals

locations where the ACM is present, its condition (e.g. whether it
is in friable form with the potential to release fibers), procedures

Corrosive, oxidizing, and reactive chemicals present similar

for monitoring its condition, procedures to access the locations

hazards and require similar control measures as flammable

where ACM is present to avoid damage, and training of staff whomaterials. However, the added hazard of these chemicals is thatcan potentially come into contact with the material to avoid

inadvertent mixing or intermixing may cause serious adverse

damage and prevent exposure. The plan should be madereactions. This can lead to the release of flammable or toxic

available to all persons involved in operations and maintenancematerials and gases, and may lead directly to fires andactivities. Repair or removal and disposal of existing ACM in

explosions. These types of substances have the additional hazard

buildings should only be performed by specially trainedof causing significant personal injury upon direct contact,

personnel71 following host country requirements, or in theirregardless of any intermixing issues. The following controls
should be observed in the work environment when handling suchabsence, internationally recognized procedures.72

chemicals:

2.5 Biological Hazards•

Corrosive, oxidizing and reactive chemicals should be

Biological agents represent potential for illness or injury due tosegregated from flammable materials and from othersingle acute exposure or chronic repetitive exposure. Biologicalchemicals of incompatible class (acids vs. bases, oxidizers

hazards can be prevented most effectively by implementing thevs. reducers, water sensitive vs. water based, etc.), stored infollowing measures:

ventilated areas and in containers with appropriate
secondary containment to minimize intermixing during spills•

Workers who are required to handle corrosive, oxidizing, orreactive chemicals should be provided with specialized
training and provided with, and wear, appropriate PPE(gloves, apron, splash suits, face shield or goggles, etc).

•

Where corrosive, oxidizing, or reactive chemicals are used,handled, or stored, qualified first-aid should be ensured at all
times. Appropriately equipped first-aid stations should be
easily accessible throughout the place of work, and eye-washstations and/or emergency showers should be provided close
to all workstations where the recommended first-aid
response is immediate flushing with water

APRIL 30, 2007•

If the nature of the activity permits, use of any harmful
biological agents should be avoided and replaced with anagent that, under normal conditions of use, is not dangerous
or less dangerous to workers. If use of harmful agents can
not be avoided, precautions should be taken to keep the riskof exposure as low as possible and maintained below
internationally established and recognized exposure limits.

71 Training of specialized personnel and the maintenance and removal methods

applied should be equivalent to those required under applicable regulations in the
United States and Europe (examples of North American training standards areavailable at: http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/asbestos/training.html)
72 Examples include the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) E
1368 - Standard Practice for Visual Inspection of Asbestos Abatement Projects; E
2356 - Standard Practice for Comprehensive Building Asbestos Surveys; and E
2394 - Standard Practice for Maintenance, Renovation and Repair of Installed
Asbestos Cement Products.

71

Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) Guidelines
GENERAL EHS GUIDELINES: OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETYWORLD BANK GROUP••Work processes, engineering, and administrative controls

The employer should at all times encourage and enforce theshould be designed, maintained, and operated to avoid or

highest level of hygiene and personal protection, especially forminimize release of biological agents into the working

activities employing biological agents of Groups 3 and 4 above.

environment. The number of employees exposed or likely toWork involving agents in Groups 3 and 4 should be restricted only

become exposed should be kept at a minimum.

to those persons who have received specific verifiable training in

The employer should review and assess known andworking with and controlling such materials.

suspected presence of biological agents at the place of work•

and implement appropriate safety measures, monitoring,

Areas used for the handling of Groups 3 and 4 biological agentstraining, and training verification programs.

should be designed to enable their full segregation and isolation in

Measures to eliminate and control hazards from known andemergency circumstances, include independent ventilationsuspected biological agents at the place of work should be

systems, and be subject to SOPs requiring routine disinfection

designed, implemented and maintained in close co-operationand sterilization of the work surfaces.

with the local health authorities and according to recognizedinternational standards.

HVAC systems serving areas handling Groups 3 and 4 biologicalagents should be equipped with High Efficiency Particulate Air

Biological agents should be classified into four groups73:(HEPA) filtration systems. Equipment should readily enable their•Group 1: Biological agents unlikely to cause human disease,disinfection and sterilization, and maintained and operated so as

and consequently only require controls similar to thoseto prevent growth and spreading of disease agents, amplification

required for hazardous or reactive chemical substances;of the biological agents, or breeding of vectors e.g. mosquitoes•

Group 2: Biological agents that can cause human disease

and flies of public health concern.

and are thereby likely to require additional controls, but are
unlikely to spread to the community;•

Group 3: Biological agents that can cause severe humandisease, present a serious hazard to workers, and may
present a risk of spreading to the community, for which there
usually is effective prophylaxis or treatment available and are
thereby likely to require extensive additional controls;•

Group 4: Biological agents that can cause severe humandisease, are a serious hazard to workers, and present a highrisk of spreading to the community, for which there is usuallyno effective prophylaxis or treatment available and are
thereby likely to require very extensive additional controls.

73 World Health Organization (WHO) Classification of Infective Microorganisms by

Risk Group (2004).

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2.6 Radiological Hazards

preferred method for controlling exposure is shielding andRadiation exposure can lead to potential discomfort, injury or

limiting the radiation source. Personal protective equipment

serious illness to workers. Prevention and control strategies

is supplemental only or for emergency use. Personal

include:•In the case of both ionizing and non-ionizing radiation, theprotective equipment for near-infrared, visible and ultraviolet

Places of work involving occupational and/or naturalrange radiation can include appropriate sun block creams,

exposure to ionizing radiation should be established andwith or without appropriate screening clothing.

operated in accordance with recognized international safety
standards and guidelines.74 The acceptable effective dose
limits appear Table 2.6.1.
•

Exposure to non-ionizing radiation (including static magnetic
fields; sub-radio frequency magnetic fields; static electricfields; radio frequency and microwave radiation; light and2.7 Personal Protective Equipment(PPE)
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) provides additional
protection to workers exposed to workplace hazards inconjunction with other facility controls and safety systems.

near-infrared radiation; and ultraviolet radiation) should becontrolled to internationally recommended limits75.

PPE is considered to be a last resort that is above and beyond theother facility controls and provides the worker with an extra levelof personal protection. Table 2.7.1 presents general examples ofTable 2.6.1. Acceptable Effective Dose Limits for
Workplace Radiological Hazards

Exposure

Workers(min.19 years ofage)

Five consecutive year average– effective dose

20 mSv/yearSingle year exposure– effective dose

50 mSv/year

Equivalent dose to the lens of
the eyeEquivalent dose to theextremities (hands, feet) or theskin

Apprentices
andstudents(16-18 yearsof age)occupational hazards and types of PPE available for different
purposes. Recommended measures for use of PPE in theworkplace include:•

Active use of PPE if alternative technologies, work plans orprocedures cannot eliminate, or sufficiently reduce, a hazard
or exposure•

Identification and provision of appropriate PPE that offers
adequate protection to the worker, co-workers, and6 mSv/year

occasional visitors, without incurring unnecessary
inconvenience to the individual

150 mSv/year

50 mSv/year

500 mSv/year

150
mSv/year•

Proper maintenance of PPE, including cleaning when dirty
and replacement when damaged or worn out. Proper use of
PPE should be part of the recurrent training programs for
employees

74 International Basic Safety Standard for protection against Ionizing Radiation andfor the Safety of Radiation Sources and its three interrelated Safety Guides.
IAEA. http://www-ns.iaea.org/standards/documents/default.asp?sub=160

75 For example ACGIH (2005) and International Commission for Non-Ionizing

Radiation (ICNIRP).
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Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) Guidelines
GENERAL EHS GUIDELINES: OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETYWORLD BANK GROUP•

by recognized organizations76.

Selection of PPE should be based on the hazard and risk
ranking described earlier in this section, and selectedaccording to criteria on performance and testing established

2.8 Special Hazard Environments
Special hazard environments are work situations where all of theTable 2.7.1. Summary of Recommended PersonalProtective Equipment
According to Hazard
Objective

Workplace Hazards

Suggested PPE

previously described hazards may exist under unique or especiallyhazardous circumstances. Accordingly, extra precautions or rigor
in application of precautions is required.

Confined SpaceA confined space is defined as a wholly or partially enclosed

Eye andface
protection

Flying particles, molten
metal, liquid chemicals,
gases or vapors, lightradiation.

Safety Glasses with side-shields,
protective shades, etc.

Head
protection

Falling objects, inadequate
height clearance, andoverhead power cords.

Plastic Helmets with top and side
impact protection.

Hearing
protection

Noise, ultra-sound.

Hearing protectors (ear plugs orear muffs).

hazards that could trap or engulf the person.77

Footprotection

Falling or rolling objects,
pointed objects. Corrosiveor hot liquids.

Safety shoes and boots forprotection against moving &falling objects, liquids andchemicals.

Confined spaces can occur in enclosed or open structures orfrom a confined space. Recommended management approaches

which a hazardous atmosphere could develop as a result of the

Hazardous materials, cutsor lacerations, vibrations,extreme temperatures.

Gloves made of rubber orsynthetic materials (Neoprene),leather, steel, insulating
materials, etc.

Respiratory
protection

Dust, fogs, fumes, mists,gases, smokes, vapors.

Facemasks with appropriate
filters for dust removal and air
purification (chemicals, mists,
vapors and gases). Single ormulti-gas personal monitors, if
available.

Body/leg
protection

Extreme temperatures,hazardous materials,
biological agents, cutting
and laceration.

contents, location or construction of the confined space or due towork done in or around the confined space. A “permit-required”
confined space is one that also contains physical or atmospheric

Hand
protection

Oxygen deficiency

space not designed or intended for human occupancy and inlocations. Serious injury or fatality can result from inadequate
preparation to enter a confined space or in attempting a rescue
include:•Engineering measures should be implemented to eliminate,
to the degree feasible, the existence and adverse characterof confined spaces.

•

Permit-required confined spaces should be provided withpermanent safety measures for venting, monitoring, andPortable or supplied air (fixedlines).
On-site rescue equipment.

rescue operations, to the extent possible. The area adjoining
an access to a confined space should provide ample room

Insulating clothing, body suits,
aprons etc. of appropriatematerials.

for emergency and rescue operations.
Examples include the American National Standards Institute (ANSI),
http://www.ansi.org/; National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health76(NIOSH), http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/homepage.html; Canadian Standards
Association76 (CSA), http://www.csa.ca/Default.asp?language=english; Mine
Safety and Health Administration76 (MSHA), http://www.msha.gov.

76

77 US OSHA CFR 1910.146

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Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) Guidelines
GENERAL EHS GUIDELINES: OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETYWORLD BANK GROUP••

Access hatches should accommodate 90% of the worker

persons capable of providing aid and assistance, for continuous

population with adjustments for tools and protective clothing.

periods exceeding one hour. The worker is therefore at increased

The most current ISO and EN standards should be consulted

risk should an accident or injury occur.

for design specifications;•or isolated circumstances, Standard Operating Procedures

Process or feed lines into the space should be(SOPs) should be developed and implemented to ensure all

disconnected or drained, and blanked and locked-out.

PPE and safety measures are in place before the worker

Mechanical equipment in the space should bestarts work. SOPs should establish, at a minimum, verbal

disconnected, de-energized, locked-out, and braced, as

contact with the worker at least once every hour, and ensure

appropriate.

the worker has a capability for summoning emergency aid.

o

o

o

o

•

The atmosphere within the confined space should be•

If the worker is potentially exposed to highly toxic or corrosive

tested to assure the oxygen content is between 19.5

chemicals, emergency eye-wash and shower facilities should

percent and 23 percent, and that the presence of any

be equipped with audible and visible alarms to summon aid

flammable gas or vapor does not exceed 25 percent of

whenever the eye-wash or shower is activated by the worker

its respective Lower Explosive Limit (LEL).

and without intervention by the worker.

If the atmospheric conditions are not met, the confined
space should be ventilated until the target safe

2.9 Monitoring

atmosphere is achieved, or entry is only to be

Occupational health and safety monitoring programs should verify

undertaken with appropriate and additional PPE.

the effectiveness of prevention and control strategies. The
selected indicators should be representative of the most

Safety precautions should include Self Contained Breathing
Apparatus (SCBA), life lines, and safety watch workers
stationed outside the confined space, with rescue and firstaid equipment readily available.

•

Where workers may be required to perform work under lone

Prior to entry into a permit-required confined space:

Before workers are required to enter a permit-required

significant occupational, health, and safety hazards, and theimplementation of prevention and control strategies. The
occupational health and safety monitoring program should include:•

Safety inspection, testing and calibration: This should include
regular inspection and testing of all safety features andconfined space, adequate and appropriate training inhazard control measures focusing on engineering andconfined space hazard control, atmospheric testing, use of

personal protective features, work procedures, places of

the necessary PPE, as well as the serviceability and integrity

work, installations, equipment, and tools used. Theof the PPE should be verified. Further, adequate andinspection should verify that issued PPE continues to provide

appropriate rescue and / or recovery plans and equipment
should be in place before the worker enters the confinedadequate protection and is being worn as required. Allspace.

instruments installed or used for monitoring and recording ofworking environment parameters should be regularly tested
and calibrated, and the respective records maintained.

Lone and Isolated Workers
A lone and isolated worker is a worker out of verbal and line ofsight communication with a supervisor, other workers, or other
APRIL 30, 2007•

Surveillance of the working environment: Employers should
document compliance using an appropriate combination of75

Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) Guidelines
GENERAL EHS GUIDELINES: OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETYWORLD BANK GROUP

portable and stationary sampling and monitoring instruments.

•

Monitoring and analyses should be conducted according toencourage workers to report to management all:internationally recognized methods and standards.

oOccupational injuries and near misses

Monitoring methodology, locations, frequencies, andoSuspected cases of occupational disease

parameters should be established individually for eachoDangerous occurrences and incidents

project following a review of the hazards. Generally,
monitoring should be performed during commissioning of•

misses should be investigated with the assistance of aliability period, and otherwise repeated according to theperson knowledgeable/competent in occupational safety. The

monitoring plan.

investigation should:

Surveillance of workers health: When extraordinary
protective measures are required (for example, againstoEstablish what happened

biological agents Groups 3 and 4, and/or hazardouso

Determine the cause of what happened

compounds), workers should be provided appropriate andoIdentify measures necessary to prevent a recurrence

relevant health surveillance prior to first exposure, and at•

All reported occupational accidents, occupational diseases,
dangerous occurrences, and incidents together with nearfacilities or equipment and at the end of the defect and•

The systems and the employer should further enable and•Occupational accidents and diseases should, at a minimum,

regular intervals thereafter. The surveillance should, if

be classified according to Table 2.10.1. Distinction is madedeemed necessary, be continued after termination of the

between fatal and non-fatal injuries. The two main categories

employment.

are divided into three sub-categories according to time ofTraining: Training activities for employees and visitors should

death or duration of the incapacity to work. The total work

be adequately monitored and documented (curriculum,

hours during the specified reporting period should be

duration, and participants). Emergency exercises, including

reported to the appropriate regulatory agency.

fire drills, should be documented adequately. Service

Table 2.9.1. Occupational Accident Reporting

providers and contractors should be contractually required tosubmit to the employer adequate training documentation
before start of their assignment.

Accidents and Diseases monitoring•a. Fatalities(number)a.1 Immediate

The employer should establish procedures and systems fora.2 Within a monthreporting and recording:a.3 Within a yearo

Occupational accidents and diseasesoDangerous occurrences and incidents

b. Non-fatal
injuries(number) 78
b.1 Less than one

c. Total time lost
non-fatal injuries(days)

dayb.2 Up to 3 days
b.3 More than 3days

c.1 Category b.2
c.2 Category b.3

These systems should enable workers to report immediately
to their immediate supervisor any situation they believe
presents a serious danger to life or health.
78 The day on which an incident occurs is not included in b.2 and b.3.

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Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) Guidelines
GENERAL EHS GUIDELINES: COMMUNITY HEALTH AND SAFETYWORLD BANK GROUP

3.0 Community Health and Safety
3.1 Water Quality and Availability ...................................77
Water Quality.........................................................77
Water Availability....................................................77
3.2 Structural Safety of Project Infrastructure ..................78
3.3 Life and Fire Safety (L&FS) ......................................79
Applicability and Approach......................................79
Specific Requirements for New Buildings................79
L&FS Master Plan Review and Approval.................80
Specific Requirements for Existing Buildings ...........81
Other Hazards........................................................81
3.4 Traffic Safety............................................................81
3.5 Transport of Hazardous Materials .............................82
General Hazardous Materials Transport..................82
Major Transportation Hazards.................................83
3.6 Disease Prevention..................................................85
Communicable Diseases........................................85
Vector-Borne Diseases...........................................85
3.7 Emergency Preparedness and Response .................86
Communication Systems ........................................86
Emergency Resources ...........................................87
Training and Updating ............................................87
Business Continuity and Contingency .....................88
Applicability and Approach......................................89

impoundment should prevent adverse impacts to the quality andavailability of groundwater and surface water resources.

Water Quality
Drinking water sources, whether public or private, should at all
times be protected so that they meet or exceed applicable national
acceptability standards or in their absence the current edition of
WHO Guidelines for Drinking-Water Quality. Air emissions,wastewater effluents, oil and hazardous materials, and wastes
should be managed according to the guidance provided in therespective sections of the General EHS Guidelines with theobjective of protecting soil and water resources.
Where the project includes the delivery of water to the community
or to users of facility infrastructure (such as hotel hosts andhospital patients), where water may be used for drinking, cooking,washing, and bathing, water quality should comply with national
acceptability standards or in their absence the current edition ofwith WHO Drinking Water Guidelines. Water quality for more

This section complements the guidance provided in the preceding
environmental and occupational health and safety sections,specifically addressing some aspects of project activities taking
place outside of the traditional project boundaries, but nonethelessrelated to the project operations, as may be applicable on a
project basis. These issues may arise at any stage of a project life
cycle and can have an impact beyond the life of the project.

3.1 Water Quality and Availability
Groundwater and surface water represent essential sources ofdrinking and irrigation water in developing countries, particularly inrural areas where piped water supply may be limited or
unavailable and where available resources are collected by thesensitive well-being-related demands such as water used in healthcare facilities or food production may require more stringent,industry-specific guidelines or standards, as applicable. Any
dependency factors associated with the deliver of water to the
local community should be planned for and managed to ensure
the sustainability of the water supply by involving the community inits management to minimize the dependency in the long-term.

Water Availability
The potential effect of groundwater or surface water abstraction
for project activities should be properly assessed through a
combination of field testing and modeling techniques, accounting
for seasonal variability and projected changes in demand in the
project area.

consumer with little or no treatment. Project activities involving
wastewater discharges, water extraction, diversion or
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Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) Guidelines
GENERAL EHS GUIDELINES: COMMUNITY HEALTH AND SAFETYWORLD BANK GROUP

Project activities should not compromise the availability of waterproject structures should be designed in accordance withfor personal hygiene needs and should take account of potential

engineering and design criteria mandated by site-specificfuture increases in demand. The overall target should be therisks, including but not limited to seismic activity, slope

availability of 100 liters per person per day although lower levels

stability, wind loading, and other dynamic loads

may be used to meet basic health requirements.79 Water volume•

Application of locally regulated or internationally recognized

requirements for well-being-related demands such as water use inbuilding codes80 to ensure structures are designed andhealth care facilities may need to be higher.

constructed in accordance with sound architectural and

3.2 Structural Safety of Project
Infrastructure
Hazards posed to the public while accessing project facilities may

engineering practice, including aspects of fire prevention andresponse•

Engineers and architects responsible for designing andconstructing facilities, building, plants and other structures

include:should certify the applicability and appropriateness of the•

Physical trauma associated with failure of building structures

structural criteria employed.

•

Burns and smoke inhalation from fires

International codes, such as those compiled by the International•

Injuries suffered as a consequence of falls or contact with

Code Council (ICC) 81, are intended to regulate the design,

heavy equipment

construction, and maintenance of a built environment and contain•Respiratory distress from dust, fumes, or noxious odors

detailed guidance on all aspects of building safety, encompassing•

Exposure to hazardous materials

methodology, best practices, and documenting compliance.

Reduction of potential hazards is best accomplished during the

Depending on the nature of a project, guidance provided in thedesign phase when the structural design, layout and site

ICC or comparable codes should be followed, as appropriate, withmodifications can be adapted more easily. The following issues

respect to:should be considered and incorporated as appropriate into the•

Existing structures•

Soils and foundations

Inclusion of buffer strips or other methods of physical•Site grading

separation around project sites to protect the public from•

Structural design

major hazards associated with hazardous materials incidents•

Specific requirements based on intended use and occupancy

or process failure, as well as nuisance issues related to•Accessibility and means of egress

noise, odors, or other emissions•

Types of construction

Incorporation of siting and safety engineering criteria to•

Roof design and construction

prevent failures due to natural risks posed by earthquakes,•

Fire-resistant construction

tsunamis, wind, flooding, landslides and fire. To this end, all•

Flood-resistant construction

planning, siting, and design phases of a project:••

79 World Health Organization (WHO) defines 100 liters/capita/day as the amountrequired to meet all consumption and hygiene needs. Additional information on
lower service levels and potential impacts on health are described in “Domestic
Water Quantity, Service Level and Health” 2003.
http://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/diseases/wsh0302/en/index.html
APRIL 30, 2007

80 ILO-OSH, 2001. http://www.ilo.org/public/english/protection/

safework/cops/english/download/e000013.pdf
81

ICC, 2006.

78

Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) Guidelines
GENERAL EHS GUIDELINES: COMMUNITY HEALTH AND SAFETYWORLD BANK GROUP•

Construction materials

codes, local fire department regulations, local legal/insurance•

Interior environment

requirements, and in accordance with an internationally accepted•

Mechanical, plumbing and electrical systems

life and fire safety (L&FS) standard. The Life Safety Code82, which•

Elevators and conveying systems

provides extensive documentation on life and fire safety•

Fire safety systems

provisions, is one example of an internationally accepted standard•

Safeguards during construction

and may be used to document compliance with the Life and Fire•

Encroachments into public right-of-way

Safety objectives outlined in these guidelines. With regard to

Although major design changes may not be feasible during theoperation phase of a project, hazard analysis can be undertakenthese objectives:•

Project sponsors’ architects and professional consulting

to identify opportunities to reduce the consequences of a failure orengineers should demonstrate that affected buildings meet

accident. Illustrative management actions, applicable tothese life and fire safety objectives.

hazardous materials storage and use, include:••

designed and installed using appropriate prescriptive

inventory management and process changes to greatly

standards and/or performance based design, and soundreduce or eliminate the potential off-site consequences of aengineering practices.
Life and fire safety design criteria for all existing buildings
should incorporate all local building codes and firepotential consequences of an accidental off-site releasedepartment regulations.

Improving shut-down and secondary containment to reduce
reduce the release duration••

Modifying process or storage conditions to reduce thethe amount of material escaping from containment and to•Life and fire safety systems and equipment should be

Reducing inventories of hazardous materials throughrelease••

These guidelines apply to buildings that are accessible to the
public. Examples of such buildings include:

Reducing the probability that releases will occur through•Health and education facilities

improved site operations and control, and through•Hotels, convention centers, and leisure facilities

improvements in maintenance and inspection•

Retail and commercial facilities

Reducing off-site impacts of releases through measures•

Airports, other public transport terminals, transfer facilities

intended to contain explosions and fires, alert the public,
provide for evacuation of surrounding areas, establish safety

Specific Requirements for New Buildings

zones around a site, and ensure the provision of emergency

The nature and extent of life and fire safety systems required will

medical services to the publicdepend on the building type, structure, construction, occupancy,and exposures. Sponsors should prepare a Life and Fire Safety

3.3 Life and Fire Safety (L&FS)
Applicability and ApproachAll new buildings accessible to the public should be designed,
constructed, and operated in full compliance with local building
APRIL 30, 2007

Master Plan identifying major fire risks, applicable codes,
standards and regulations, and mitigation measures. The Master82 US NFPA.

http://www.nfpa.org/catalog/product.asp?category%5Fname=&pid=10106&target%
5Fpid=10106&src%5Fpid=&link%5Ftype=search

79Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) Guidelines
GENERAL EHS GUIDELINES: COMMUNITY HEALTH AND SAFETYWORLD BANK GROUP

Plan should be prepared by a suitably qualified professional, andCompartmentation

adequately cover, but not be limited to, the issues addressed

Compartmentation involves all measures to prevent or slow thebriefly in the following points. The suitably qualified professional

spread of fire and smoke, including:selected to prepare the Master Plan is responsible for a detailed•

Separations•

Fire walls•

FloorsFire Prevention

•

Doors

Fire prevention addresses the identification of fire risks and•Dampers

ignition sources, and measures needed to limit fast fire and smoke•

Smoke control systems

treatment of the following illustrative, and all other required,issues.

development. These issues include:

Fire Suppression and Control•

Fuel load and control of combustibles•

Ignition sources•

Interior finish flame spread characteristics•

Interior finish smoke production characteristics•

Automatic sprinkler systems•

Human acts, and housekeeping and maintenance•

Manual portable extinguishers•

Fire hose reels

Means of Egress

Fire suppression and control includes all automatic and manualfire protection installations, such as:

Means of Egress includes all design measures that facilitate a

Emergency Response Plan

safe evacuation by residents and/or occupants in case of fire or

An Emergency Response Plan is a set of scenario–based

other emergency, such as:procedures to assist staff and emergency response teams during
real life emergency and training exercises. This chapter of the Fire•

Clear, unimpeded escape routes•

Accessibility to the impaired/handicapped•

Marking and signing•

Emergency lighting

Detection and Alarm Systems

and Life Safety Master Plan should include an assessment of local
fire prevention and suppression capabilities.

Operation and MaintenanceOperation and Maintenance involves preparing schedules for
mandatory regular maintenance and testing of life and fire safety

These systems encompass all measures, including

features to ensure that mechanical, electrical, and civil structurescommunication and public address systems needed to detect aand systems are at all times in conformance with life and fire

fire and alert:

safety design criteria and required operational readiness.

•

Building staff•

Emergency response teams

L&FS Master Plan Review and Approval•

Occupants••

Civil defense

A suitably qualified professional prepares and submits a Lifeand Fire Safety (L&FS) Master Plan, including preliminary
drawings and specifications, and certifies that the design

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Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) Guidelines
GENERAL EHS GUIDELINES: COMMUNITY HEALTH AND SAFETYWORLD BANK GROUP

meets the requirements of these L&FS guidelines. The

earthquakes, tsunamis, floods, windstorms, and fires fromfindings and recommendations of the review are then used tosurrounding areas).

establish the conditions of a Corrective Action Plan and a•the criteria mandated by situation-, climatic-, and geology-

The suitably qualified professional conducts a review as part

specific location risks (e.g. seismic activity, wind loading, andof the project completion test at the time of life and fire safety

other dynamic loads).
•

Structural engineers and architects responsible for facilities,

construction of these systems has been carried out inbuildings, plants and structures should certify the applicability

accordance with the accepted design. The findings andand appropriateness of the design criteria employed.

recommendations of the review are used as the basis for•

National or regional building regulations typically contain fireestablishing project completion or to establish the conditions

safety codes and standards83 or these standards are found inof a Pre-Completion Corrective Action Plan and a time frame

separate Fire Codes.84,85 Generally, such codes andfor implementing the changes.

regulations incorporate further compliance requirements with

Specific Requirements for Existing
Buildings
All life and fire safety guideline requirements for newbuildings apply to existing buildings programmed forrenovation. A suitably qualified professional conducts acomplete life and fire safety review of existing buildingsslated for renovation. The findings and recommendations of
the review are used as the basis to establish the scope ofwork of a Corrective Action Plan and a time frame for
implementing the changes.
•

All such structures should be designed in accordance withtime frame for implementing the changes.

systems testing and commissioning, and certifies that••

If it becomes apparent that life and fire safety conditions are
deficient in an existing building that is not part of the projector that has not been programmed for renovation, a life andfire safety review of the building may be conducted by asuitably qualified professional. The findings andrespect to methodology, practice, testing, and other codesand standards86. Such nationally referenced material
constitutes the acceptable fire life safety code.

3.4 Traffic Safety
Traffic accidents have become one of the most significant causes
of injuries and fatalities among members of the public worldwide.
Traffic safety should be promoted by all project personnel during
displacement to and from the workplace, and during operation ofproject equipment on private or public roads. Prevention andcontrol of traffic related injuries and fatalities should include theadoption of safety measures that are protective of project workers
and of road users, including those who are most vulnerable toroad traffic accidents87. Road safety initiatives proportional to thescope and nature of project activities should include:

recommendations of the review are used as the basis toestablish the scope of work of a Corrective Action Plan and a

83 For example, Australia, Canada, South Africa, United Kingdom

time frame for implementing the changes.

84 Réglementation Incendie [des ERP]

Other Hazards•

Facilities, buildings, plants, and structures should be situatedto minimize potential risks from forces of nature (e.g.

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85 USA NFPA, 2006.
86 Prepared by National Institutes and Authorities such as American Society for

Testing and Materials (ASTM), British Standards (BS), German Institute ofStandardization (DIN), and French Standards (NF)
87 Additional information on vulnerable users of public roads in developing
countries is provided by Peden et al., 2004.

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Adoption of best transport safety practices across all aspects•

of project operations with the goal of preventing traffic

Employing safe traffic control measures, including road signs
and flag persons to warn of dangerous conditions

accidents and minimizing injuries suffered by project
personnel and the public. Measures should include:oEmphasizing safety aspects among driversoImproving driving skills and requiring licensing of driversoAdopting limits for trip duration and arranging driver

3.5 Transport of Hazardous Materials
General Hazardous Materials Transport•compliance with local laws and international requirementsrosters to avoid overtirednessoo•Projects should have procedures in place that ensure
applicable to the transport of hazardous materials, including:

Avoiding dangerous routes and times of day to reduce
the risk of accidentso

IATA requirements89 for air transport

Use of speed control devices (governors) on trucks, ando

IMDG Code90 sea transport

remote monitoring of driver actionso

UN Model Regulations91 of other international standards
as well as local requirements for land transport

Regular maintenance of vehicles and use of manufactureroapproved parts to minimize potentially serious accidents

Host-country commitments under the Basel Convention
on the Control of Transboundary Movements ofcaused by equipment malfunction or premature failure.

Hazardous Waste and their disposal and Rotterdam

Where the project may contribute to a significant increase in traffic

Convention on the prior Inform Consent Procedure foralong existing roads, or where road transport is a significant

Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides incomponent of a project, recommended measures include:

International Trade, if applicable to the project activities•

Minimizing pedestrian interaction with construction vehicles•

Collaboration with local communities and responsible(Hazmats) should include:

authorities to improve signage, visibility and overall safety ofo•The procedures for transportation of hazardous materials

Proper labeling of containers, including the identify androads, particularly along stretches located near schools or

quantity of the contents, hazards, and shipper contact

other locations where children may be present. Collaborating

information

with local communities on education about traffic and••oProviding a shipping document (e.g. shipping manifest)

pedestrian safety (e.g. school education campaigns)88

that describes the contents of the load and its

Coordination with emergency responders to ensure thatassociated hazards in addition to the labeling of theappropriate first aid is provided in the event of accidents

containers. The shipping document should establish a

Using locally sourced materials, whenever possible, tochain-of-custody using multiple signed copies to show

minimize transport distances. Locating associated facilities

that the waste was properly shipped, transported andsuch as worker camps close to project sites and arranging

received by the recycling or treatment/disposal facility

worker bus transport to minimizing external traffic
89 IATA, 2005. www.iata.org
90 IMO. www.imo.org/safety
88Additional sources of information for implementation of road safety measures is

91 United Nations. Transport of Dangerous Goods - Model Regulations. 14th

available at WHO, 1989, Ross et al., 1991, Tsunokawa and Hoban, 1997, andOECD, 1999

Revised Edition. Geneva 2005.
http://www.unece.org/trans/danger/publi/unrec/rev14/14files_e.html

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Ensuring that the volume, nature, integrity andmaterials, including environmental management systems

transport are appropriate for the type and quantity ofused by the company and its contractorsoEnsuring adequate transport vehicle specificationsoTraining employees involved in the transportation of
hazardous materials regarding proper shipping
procedures and emergency procedureso

The existing criteria for the safe transportation of hazardous

protection of packaging and containers used forhazardous material and modes of transport involvedo•This review should cover the management actions, preventive
measures and emergency response procedures described below.
The hazard assessment helps to determine what additional
measures may be required to complete the plan.

Using labeling and placarding (external signs on

Management Actionstransport vehicles), as required•

Providing the necessary means for emergency response

Management of Change: These procedures should address:oon call 24 hours/day

The technical basis for changes in hazardous materials
offered for transportation, routes and/or procedures

Major Transportation HazardsoThe potential impact of changes on health and safety

Guidance related to major transportation hazards should beoModification required to operating procedures

implemented in addition to measures presented in the precedingoAuthorization requirements

section for preventing or minimizing the consequences ofoEmployees affectedcatastrophic releases of hazardous materials, which may result inoTraining needs

toxic, fire, explosion, or other hazards during transportation.

•

Compliance Audit: A compliance audit evaluates compliancewith prevention requirements for each transportation route or

In addition to these aforementioned procedures, projects which

for each hazardous material, as appropriate. A compliancetransport hazardous materials at or above the threshold

audit covering each element of the prevention measures (seequantities92 should prepare a Hazardous Materials Transportation

below) should be conducted at least every three years. The

Plan containing all of the elements presented below93.

audit program should include:

Hazard Assessmento

Preparation of a report of the findings

The hazard assessment should identify the potential hazardoDetermination and documentation of the appropriate
response to each finding

involved in the transportation of hazardous materials by reviewing:o•

The hazard characteristics of the substances identified during
the screening stage•

The history of accidents, both by the company and its
contractors, involving hazardous materials transportation

92 Threshold quantities for the transport of hazardous materials are found in the UN– Transport of Dangerous Goods – Model Regulations cited above.
93

For further information and guidance, please refer to International FinanceCorporation (IFC) Hazardous Materials Transportation Manual. Washington,
D.C. December 2000.

APRIL 30, 2007•

Documentation that any deficiency has been corrected.

Incident Investigation: Incidents can provide valuable
information about transportation hazards and the steps
needed to prevent accidental releases. The implementationof incident investigation procedures should ensure that:oInvestigations are initiated promptlyoSummaries of investigations are included in a reportoReport findings and recommendations are addressed83Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) Guidelines
GENERAL EHS GUIDELINES: COMMUNITY HEALTH AND SAFETYWORLD BANK GROUPo••

Reports are reviewed with staff and contractors

Employee Participation: There should be a written plan of

The plan should include procedures to implement preventive

action regarding the implementation of active employee

measures specific to each hazardous material offered forparticipation in the prevention of accidents.

transportation, including:Contractors: The plan should include procedures to ensurethat:oThe contractor is provided with safety performance
procedures and safety and hazard information•

Preventive MeasuresoContractors observe safety practicesoVerify that the contractor acts responsibly•

Classification and segregation of hazardous materials in
warehouses and transport units•

Packaging and packaging testing•

Marking and labeling of packages containing hazardous
materials•

Handling and securing packages containing hazardous
materials in transport units

The plan should also include additional procedures to ensure•

Marking and placarding of transport units

the contractors will:•

Documentation (e.g. bills of lading)•Application of special provisions, as appropriateoEnsure appropriate training for their employeesoEnsure their employees know process hazards andapplicable emergency actions

Emergency Preparedness and ResponseoPrepare and submit training records

It is important to develop procedures and practices for theoInform employees about the hazards presented by theirhandling of hazardous materials that allow for quick and efficientwork

responses to accidents that may result in injury or environmental

Training: Good training programs on operating procedures
will provide the employees with the necessary information tounderstand how to operate safely and why safe operations

damage. The sponsor should prepare an Emergency
Preparedness and Response Plan that should cover:•are needed. The training program should include:

Planning Coordination: This should include procedures for:oInforming the public and emergency response agencieso

The list of employees to be trainedoDocumenting first aid and emergency medical treatmentoSpecific training objectivesoTaking emergency response actionsoMechanisms to achieve objectives (i.e. hands-onoReviewing and updating the emergency response planoworkshops, videos, etc.)

to reflect changes and ensuring that the employees are

Means to determine the effectiveness of the training

informed of such changes

programoTraining procedures for new hires and refresher•

Emergency Equipment: The plan should include proceduresfor using, inspecting, testing, and maintaining emergency

programs

response equipment.
•

Training: Employees should be trained in any relevant
procedures

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access to medical treatment, confidentiality and appropriate

3.6 Disease Prevention
Communicable Diseases

care, particularly with respect to migrant workers•

Promoting collaboration with local authorities to enhanceCommunicable diseases pose a significant public health threat

access of workers families and the community to publicworldwide. Health hazards typically associated with large

health services and promote immunization

development projects are those relating to poor sanitation andliving conditions, sexual transmission and vector-borne infections.

Vector-Borne Diseases

Communicable diseases of most concern during the construction

Reducing the impact of vector-borne disease on the long-term

phase due to labor mobility are sexually-transmitted diseases

health of workers is best accomplished through implementation of(STDs), such as HIV/AIDS. Recognizing that no single measure

diverse interventions aimed at eliminating the factors that lead tois likely to be effective in the long term, successful initiatives

disease. Project sponsors, in close collaboration with community

typically involve a combination of behavioral and environmental

health authorities, can implement an integrated control strategy formodifications.

mosquito and other arthropod-borne diseases that might involve:

Recommended interventions at the project level include94:•••

improvements and elimination of breeding habitats close to

Providing surveillance and active screening and treatment of

human settlements

workers•

Elimination of unusable impounded water

Preventing illness among workers in local communities by:•

Increase in water velocity in natural and artificial channels•

Considering the application of residual insecticide tooUndertaking health awareness and education initiatives,
for example, by implementing an information strategy todormitory walls

reinforce person-to-person counseling addressing•

Implementation of integrated vector control programs

systemic factors that can influence individual behavior•

Promoting use of repellents, clothing, netting, and otheras well as promoting individual protection, andprotecting others from infection, by encouraging condom

barriers to prevent insect bites•

Use of chemoprophylaxis drugs by non-immune workers andusecollaborating with public health officials to help eradicateoTraining health workers in disease treatment

disease reservoirsoConducting immunization programs for workers in local
communities to improve health and guard against
infectiono•Prevention of larval and adult propagation through sanitary•

populations to prevent disease reservoir spread•

Providing health services

Collaboration and exchange of in-kind services with othercontrol programs in the project area to maximize beneficial

Providing treatment through standard case management inon-site or community health care facilities. Ensuring readyMonitoring and treatment of circulating and migrating

effects•

Educating project personnel and area residents on risks,prevention, and available treatment

Additional sources of information on disease prevention include IFC, 2006;
UNDP, 2000, 2003; Walley et al., 2000; Kindhauser, 2003; Heymann, 2004.
94

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Monitoring communities during high-risk seasons to detectand treat cases
85Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) Guidelines
GENERAL EHS GUIDELINES: COMMUNITY HEALTH AND SAFETYWORLD BANK GROUP•

Distributing appropriate education materials

Alarm bells, visual alarms, or other forms of communication•

Following safety guidelines for the storage, transport, andshould be used to reliably alert workers to an emergency. Related

distribution of pesticides to minimize the potential for misuse,measures include:

spills, and accidental human exposure•

3.7 Emergency Preparedness andResponse

Testing warning systems at least annually (fire alarms
monthly), and more frequently if required by local regulations,equipment, or other considerations•

Installing a back-up system for communications on-site with

An emergency is an unplanned event when a project operation

off-site resources, such as fire departments, in the event thatloses control, or could lose control, of a situation that may result innormal communication methods may be inoperable during anrisks to human health, property, or the environment, either withinemergency

the facility or in the local community. Emergencies do notnormally include safe work practices for frequent upsets or events

Community Notificationthat are covered by occupational health and safety.

If a local community may be at risk from a potential emergency

All projects should have an Emergency Preparedness andResponse Plan that is commensurate with the risks of the facility

arising at the facility, the company should implement
communication measures to alert the community, such as:

and that includes the following basic elements:•

Audible alarms, such as fire bells or sirens•

Administration (policy, purpose, distribution, definitions, etc)•

Fan out telephone call lists•

Organization of emergency areas (command centers,•

Vehicle mounted speakers

medical stations, etc)•

Communicating details of the nature of the emergency•

Roles and responsibilities•

Communicating protection options (evacuation, quarantine)•

Communication systems•

Providing advise on selecting an appropriate protection•

Emergency response procedures•

Emergency resources•

Training and updating•

Checklists (role and action list and equipment checklist)•

Business Continuity and Contingency

optionMedia and Agency Relations
Emergency information should be communicated to the media
through:•

A trained, local spokesperson able to interact with relevant

Additional information is provided for key components of the

stakeholders, and offer guidance to the company for

emergency plan, as follows below.

speaking to the media, government, and other agencies

Communication Systems
Worker notification and communication

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Written press releases with accurate information, appropriate
level of detail for the emergency, and for which accuracy canbe guaranteed86Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) Guidelines
GENERAL EHS GUIDELINES: COMMUNITY HEALTH AND SAFETYWORLD BANK GROUP

Emergency Resources•

limitations, and cost of these resources, for both site-specificFinance and Emergency Funds•

A mechanism should be provided for funding emergency

emergencies, and community or regional emergencies•

activities.

additional resources may need to be maintained on-site

The company should consider the level of local fire fighting

Mutual Aid

capacity and whether equipment is available for use at the

Mutual aid agreements decrease administrative confusion andfacility in the event of a major emergency or natural disaster.

provide a clear basis for response by mutual aid providers.

If insufficient capacity is available, fire fighting capacity
should be acquired that may include pumps, water supplies,•

Medical Services
The company should provide first aid attendants for thefacility as well as medical equipment suitable for the

personnel and specialized equipment.

Contact List•

should include the name, description, location, and contact

likely to be required prior to transportation to hospital.

details (telephone, email) for each of the resources, and be
maintained annually.

Availability of Resources
case of an emergency include:•

The emergency preparedness facilities and emergency responseplans require maintenance, review, and updating to account for

funding, expert knowledge, and materials that may bechanges in equipment, personnel, and facilities. Training

required to respond to emergencies. The list should include

programs and practice exercises provide for testing systems topersonnel with specialized expertise for spill clean-up, flood

ensure an adequate level of emergency preparedness. Programs

control, engineering, water treatment, environmental science,

should:to the identified emergency•

Tracking and managing the costs associated with emergency
resources

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Identify training needs based on the roles andresponsibilities, capabilities and requirements of personnel

Providing personnel who can readily call up resources, as
required•Training and Updating

Maintaining a list of external equipment, personnel, facilities,

etc., or any of the functions required to adequately respond•

The company should develop a list of contact information for
all internal and external resources and personnel. The list

personnel, type of operation, and the degree of treatment

Appropriate measures for managing the availability of resources in

Where appropriate, mutual aid agreements should bemaintained with other organizations to allow for sharing oftrucks, and training for personnel.

•

Considering if external resources are unable to provide
sufficient capacity during a regional emergency and whether

Fire Services•

Considering the quantity, response time, capability,

in an emergency•

Develop a training plan to address needs, particularly for firefighting, spill response, and evacuation

87Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) Guidelines
GENERAL EHS GUIDELINES: COMMUNITY HEALTH AND SAFETYWORLD BANK GROUP•

Conduct annual training, at least, and perhaps more frequent
training when the response includes specialized equipment,
procedures, or hazards, or when otherwise mandated•

Provide training exercises to allow personnel the opportunity
to test emergency preparedness, including:oDesk top exercises with only a few personnel, where thecontact lists are tested and the facilities andcommunication assessedoResponse exercises, typically involving drills that allow
for testing of equipment and logisticsoDebrief upon completion of a training exercise to assess
what worked well and what aspects require improvementoUpdate the plan, as required, after each exercise. Elementsof the plan subject to significant change (such as contact
lists) should be replacedo

Record training activities and the outcomes of the training

Business Continuity and Contingency
Measures to address business continuity and contingency include:•

Identifying replacement supplies or facilities to allow business
continuity following an emergency. For example, alternate
sources of water, electricity, and fuel are commonly sought.

•

Using redundant or duplicate supply systems as part offacility operations to increase the likelihood of business
continuity.

•

Maintaining back-ups of critical information in a secure
location to expedite the return to normal operations following
an emergency.

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4.0 Construction and Decommissioning
4.1 Environment.............................................................89
Noise and Vibration ................................................89
Soil Erosion............................................................89
Air Quality..............................................................90
Solid Waste............................................................90
Hazardous Materials...............................................91
Wastewater Discharges..........................................91
Contaminated Land ................................................91
4.2 Occupational Health and Safety................................92
4.3 Community Health and Safety ..................................94
General Site Hazards .............................................94
Disease Prevention ................................................94
Traffic Safety..........................................................95

planned during periods of the day that will result in least
disturbance•Using noise control devices, such as temporary noisebarriers and deflectors for impact and blasting activities, andexhaust muffling devices for combustion engines.

•

Avoiding or minimizing project transportation throughcommunity areas

Soil Erosion
Soil erosion may be caused by exposure of soil surfaces to rain
and wind during site clearing, earth moving, and excavation
activities. The mobilization and transport of soil particles may, in

Applicability and ApproachThis section provides additional, specific guidance on prevention
and control of community health and safety impacts that may
occur during new project development, at the end of the project
life-cycle, or due to expansion or modification of existing project
facilities. Cross referencing is made to various other sections of
the General EHS Guidelines.

turn, result in sedimentation of surface drainage networks, which
may result in impacts to the quality of natural water systems andultimately the biological systems that use these waters.
Recommended soil erosion and water system management
approaches include:

Sediment mobilization and transport•

4.1 Environment{ TC "4.1
Environment" \f C \l "2" }Reducing or preventing erosion by:o

Scheduling to avoid heavy rainfall periods (i.e., during
the dry season) to the extent practicaloNoise and Vibration

Contouring and minimizing length and steepness of
slopesDuring construction and decommissioning activities, noise andoMulching to stabilize exposed areas

vibration may be caused by the operation of pile drivers, earthoRe-vegetating areas promptly

moving and excavation equipment, concrete mixers, cranes andoDesigning channels and ditches for post-constructionflows

the transportation of equipment, materials and people. Some
recommended noise reduction and control strategies to consider
in areas close to community areas include:•o•Lining steep channel and slopes (e.g. use jute matting)

Reducing or preventing off-site sediment transport throughPlanning activities in consultation with local communities so

use of settlement ponds, silt fences, and water treatment,that activities with the greatest potential to generate noise are

and modifying or suspending activities during extreme rainfall
and high winds to the extent practical.

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Clean runoff management

Air Quality•

Segregating or diverting clean water runoff to prevent it

Construction and decommissioning activities may generate

mixing with water containing a high solids content, toemission of fugitive dust caused by a combination of on-siteminimize the volume of water to be treated prior to releaseexcavation and movement of earth materials, contact ofconstruction machinery with bare soil, and exposure of bare soilRoad designand soil piles to wind. A secondary source of emissions may•

Limiting access road gradients to reduce runoff-induced

include exhaust from diesel engines of earth moving equipment,

erosionas well as from open burning of solid waste on-site. Techniques toProviding adequate road drainage based on road width,

consider for the reduction and control of air emissions fromsurface material, compaction, and maintenanceconstruction and decommissioning sites include:•

Disturbance to water bodies•

watercourse crossingsequipment (water suppression, bag house, or cyclone)•

cycles of valued flora and fauna (e.g., migration, spawning,

enclosures and covers, and increasing the moisture content•

For in-stream works, using isolation techniques such as
berming or diversion during construction to limit the exposureof disturbed sediments to moving water•

Consider using trenchless technology for pipeline crossings(e.g., suspended crossings) or installation by directional
drilling

Structural (slope) stability•

Providing effective short term measures for slope
stabilization, sediment control and subsidence control untillong term measures for the operational phase can be
implemented•

Providing adequate drainage systems to minimize andcontrol infiltration

Dust suppression techniques should be implemented, suchas applying water or non-toxic chemicals to minimize dust

etc.)
•

Minimizing dust from open area sources, including storage
piles, by using control measures such as installing

Restricting the duration and timing of in-stream activities tolower low periods, and avoiding periods critical to biological

Minimizing dust from material handling sources, such as
conveyors and bins, by using covers and/or control

Depending on the potential for adverse impacts, installing
free-spanning structures (e.g., single span bridges) for road••from vehicle movements•

Selectively removing potential hazardous air pollutants, suchas asbestos, from existing infrastructure prior to demolition•

Managing emissions from mobile sources according to
Section 1.1•

Avoiding open burning of solid (refer to solid waste
management guidance in Section 1.6)

Solid Waste
Non-hazardous solid waste generated at construction anddecommissioning sites includes excess fill materials from gradingand excavation activities, scrap wood and metals, and small
concrete spills. Other non-hazardous solid wastes include office,kitchen, and dormitory wastes when these types of operations arepart of construction project activities. Hazardous solid waste
includes contaminated soils, which could potentially be
encountered on-site due to previous land use activities, or small

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amounts of machinery maintenance materials, such as oily rags,

Wastewater Discharges

used oil filters, and used oil, as well as spill cleanup materials from

Construction and decommissioning activities may include theoil and fuel spills. Techniques for preventing and controlling non-generation of sanitary wastewater discharges in varying quantities

hazardous and hazardous construction site solid waste include

depending on the number of workers involved. Adequate portable

those already discussed in Section 1.6.

or permanent sanitation facilities serving all workers should be

Hazardous Materials
Construction and decommissioning activities may pose theprovided at all construction sites. Sanitary wastewater inconstruction and other sites should be managed as described in
Section 1.3.

potential for release of petroleum based products, such as
lubricants, hydraulic fluids, or fuels during their storage, transfer,

Contaminated Landor use in equipment. These materials may also be encounteredLand contamination may be encountered in sites under

during decommissioning activities in building components orconstruction or decommissioning due to known or unknown

industrial process equipment. Techniques for prevention,

historical releases of hazardous materials or oil, or due to theminimization, and control of these impacts include:

presence of abandoned infrastructure formerly used to store or•

Providing adequate secondary containment for fuel storage

handle these materials, including underground storage tanks.

tanks and for the temporary storage of other fluids such as

Actions necessary to manage the risk from contaminated land will

lubricating oils and hydraulic fluids,

depend on factors such as the level and location of contamination,

Using impervious surfaces for refueling areas and other fluid

the type and risks of the contaminated media, and the intended

transfer areas

land use. However, a basic management strategy should include:

Training workers on the correct transfer and handling of fuels

•

•
•
•
•

and chemicals and the response to spills

protecting the safety and health of occupants of the site, theProviding portable spill containment and cleanup equipment

surrounding community, and the environment poston site and training in the equipment deployment

construction or post decommissioning

Assessing the contents of hazardous materials and•Understanding the historical use of the land with regard topetroleum-based products in building systems (e.g. PCB

the potential presence of hazardous materials or oil prior tocontaining electrical equipment, asbestos-containing building

initiation of construction or decommissioning activities

materials) and process equipment and removing them prior•Preparing plans and procedures to respond to the discovery

to initiation of decommissioning activities, and managing theirof contaminated media to minimize or reduce the risk totreatment and disposal according to Sections 1.5 and 1.6 on

health, safety, and the environment consistent with theHazardous Materials and Hazardous Waste Management,

approach for Contaminated Land in Section 1.6

respectively•

Managing contaminated media with the objective of•

Preparation of a management plan to manage obsolete,

Assessing the presence of hazardous substances in or onabandoned, hazardous materials or oil consistent with thebuilding materials (e.g., polychlorinated biphenyls, asbestos-

approach to hazardous waste management described incontaining flooring or insulation) and decontaminating or

Section 1.6.

properly managing contaminated building materials

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Successful implementation of any management strategy may•

Implementing good house-keeping practices, such as therequire identification and cooperation with whoever is responsible

sorting and placing loose construction materials or demolitionand liable for the contamination.

debris in established areas away from foot paths

4.2 Occupational Health and Safety{
TC "4.2 Occupational Health and
Safety" \f C \l "2" }Over-exertion
Over-exertion, and ergonomic injuries and illnesses, such as
repetitive motion, over-exertion, and manual handling, are among
the most common causes of injuries in construction anddecommissioning sites. Recommendations for their prevention
and control include:•

Training of workers in lifting and materials handlingtechniques in construction and decommissioning projects,
including the placement of weight limits above which•

Cleaning up excessive waste debris and liquid spills regularly•

Locating electrical cords and ropes in common areas andmarked corridors•

Work in Heights
Falls from elevation associated with working with ladders,
scaffolding, and partially built or demolished structures are among
the most common cause of fatal or permanent disabling injury atconstruction or decommissioning sites. If fall hazards exist, a fall
protection plan should be in place which includes one or more of
the following aspects, depending on the nature of the fall hazard95:•

pounds, when working at heights equal or greater than two

Planning work site layout to minimize the need for manual

meters or at any height if the risk includes falling intotransfer of heavy loads•

operating machinery, into water or other liquid, into

Selecting tools and designing work stations that reduce force

hazardous substances, or through an opening in a workrequirements and holding times, and which promote
improved postures, including, where applicable, user
adjustable work stations•

surface•support 5000 pounds (also described in this section insuch as job rotations and rest or stretch breaks

Working at Heights above), as well as fall rescue procedures
to deal with workers whose fall has been successfully

Slips and Falls

arrested. The tie in point of the fall arresting system should

Slips and falls on the same elevation associated with poormaterials, liquid spills, and uncontrolled use of electrical cords andropes on the ground, are also among the most frequent cause ofTraining and use of personal fall arrest systems, such as fullbody harnesses and energy absorbing lanyards able to

Implementing administrative controls into work processes,

housekeeping, such as excessive waste debris, loose construction

Training and use of temporary fall prevention devices, suchas rails or other barriers able to support a weight of 200

mechanical assists or two-person lifts are necessary•

Use of slip retardant footwear

also be able to support 5000 pounds•

Use of control zones and safety monitoring systems to warn
workers of their proximity to fall hazard zones, as well as

lost time accidents at construction and decommissioning sites.
Recommended methods for the prevention of slips and falls from,95 Additional information on identification of fall hazards and design of protection

or on, the same elevation include:

systems can be found in the United States Occupational Health and Safety
Administration’s (US OSHA) web site:
http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/fallprotection/index.html

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Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) Guidelines
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securing, marking, and labeling covers for openings in floors,a turn while moving. Techniques for the prevention and control ofroofs, or walking surfaces

these impacts include:

Struck By Objects•

machine operation, and walking areas, and controlling

Construction and demolition activities may pose significant

vehicle traffic through the use of one-way traffic routes,

hazards related to the potential fall of materials or tools, as well as

establishment of speed limits, and on-site trained flag-people

ejection of solid particles from abrasive or other types of power

wearing high-visibility vests or outer clothing covering totools which can result in injury to the head, eyes, and extremities.
Techniques for the prevention and control of these hazards
include:••direct traffic••

Ensuring the visibility of personnel through their use of highvisibility vests when working in or walking through heavy

Using a designated and restricted waste drop or dischargeequipment operating areas, and training of workers to verify

zones, and/or a chute for safe movement of wastes fromeye contact with equipment operators before approaching theupper to lower levels

operating vehicle

Conducting sawing, cutting, grinding, sanding, chipping or•

chiseling with proper guards and anchoring as applicable•

Planning and segregating the location of vehicle traffic,

Maintaining clear traffic ways to avoid driving of heavy

Ensuring moving equipment is outfitted with audible back-up
alarms•Using inspected and well-maintained lifting devices that are

equipment over loose scrap

appropriate for the load, such as cranes, and securing loads

Use of temporary fall protection measures in scaffolds andwhen lifting them to higher job-site elevations.

out edges of elevated work surfaces, such as hand rails and•toe boards to prevent materials from being dislodged

Dust

Evacuating work areas during blasting operations, and using•

blast mats or other means of deflection to minimize fly rock or

as applying water or non-toxic chemicals to minimize dust

ejection of demolition debris if work is conducted in proximityfrom vehicle movements

to people or structures•

Dust suppression techniques should be implemented, such

Wearing appropriate PPE, such as safety glasses with side•

PPE, such as dusk masks, should be used where dust levels
are excessive

shields, face shields, hard hats, and safety shoes

Confined Spaces and Excavations
Moving Machinery

Examples of confined spaces that may be present in construction

Vehicle traffic and use of lifting equipment in the movement ofor demolition sites include: silos, vats, hoppers, utility vaults,

machinery and materials on a construction site may posetanks, sewers, pipes, and access shafts. Ditches and trenches

temporary hazards, such as physical contact, spills, dust,

may also be considered a confined space when access or egressemissions, and noise. Heavy equipment operators have limited

is limited. In addition to the guidance provided in Section 2.8 thefields of view close to their equipment and may not see

occupational hazards associated with confined spaces andpedestrians close to the vehicle. Center-articulated vehicles create

excavations in construction and decommissioning sites should bea significant impact or crush hazard zone on the outboard side of

prevented according to the following recommendations:

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Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) Guidelines
GENERAL EHS GUIDELINES: CONSTRUCTION AND DECOMMISSIONINGWORLD BANK GROUP•

Controlling site-specific factors which may contribute torespirators, clothing/protective suits, gloves and eye

excavation slope instability including, for example, the use ofprotection

excavation dewatering, side-walls support, and slope
gradient adjustments that eliminate or minimize the risk ofcollapse, entrapment, or drowning•

Providing safe means of access and egress fromexcavations, such as graded slopes, graded access route, or
stairs and ladders•

Avoiding the operation of combustion equipment for
prolonged periods inside excavations areas where otherworkers are required to enter unless the area is actively
ventilated

Other Site Hazards
Construction and decommissioning sites may pose a risk of
exposure to dust, chemicals, hazardous or flammable materials,
and wastes in a combination of liquid, solid, or gaseous forms,
which should be prevented through the implementation of project-

4.3 Community Health and Safety{ TC"4.3 Community Health and Safety" \f
C \l "2" }General Site Hazards
Projects should implement risk management strategies to protect
the community from physical, chemical, or other hazards
associated with sites under construction and decommissioning.
Risks may arise from inadvertent or intentional trespassing,including potential contact with hazardous materials, contaminatedsoils and other environmental media, buildings that are vacant or
under construction, or excavations and structures which may pose
falling and entrapment hazards. Risk management strategies may
include:•Restricting access to the site, through a combination of

specific plans and other applicable management practices,institutional and administrative controls, with a focus on highincluding:risk structures or areas depending on site-specific situations,•waste materials from tanks, vessels, processing equipment
or contaminated land as a first step in decommissioning
activities to allow for safe excavation, construction,
dismantling or demolition•

Use of specially trained personnel to identify and selectively
remove potentially hazardous materials in building elements
prior to dismantling or demolition including, for example,
insulation or structural elements containing asbestos andPolychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs), electrical components
containing mercury96•

including fencing, signage, and communication of risks to the

Use of specially trained personnel to identify and remove

local community•

Removing hazardous conditions on construction sites thatcannot be controlled affectively with site access restrictions,such as covering openings to small confined spaces,
ensuring means of escape for larger openings such as
trenches or excavations, or locked storage of hazardous
materials

Disease Prevention
Increased incidence of communicable and vector-borne diseases
attributable to construction activities represents a potentially

Use of waste-specific PPE based on the results of anserious health threat to project personnel and residents of local

occupational health and safety assessment, including

communities. Recommendations for the prevention and control of

96 Additional information on the management and removal of asbestos containing

communicable and vector-borne diseases also applicable tobuilding materials can be found in ASTM Standard E2356 and E1368

APRIL 30, 200794

Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) Guidelines
GENERAL EHS GUIDELINES: CONSTRUCTION AND DECOMMISSIONINGWORLD BANK GROUP

construction phase activities are provided in Section 3.6 (Disease
Prevention).

Traffic Safety
Construction activities may result in a significant increase in
movement of heavy vehicles for the transport of construction
materials and equipment increasing the risk of traffic-related
accidents and injuries to workers and local communities. The
incidence of road accidents involving project vehicles during
construction should be minimized through a combination of
education and awareness-raising, and the adoption of procedures
described in Section 3.4 (Traffic Safety).

APRIL 30, 200795

Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) Guidelines
GENERAL EHS GUIDELINES: REFERENCES AND ADDITIONAL SOURCESWORLD BANK GROUP

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