Environmental Controls, Dust, Noise and Spills
Environmental controls, dust, noise and spills tests prevention and response during tractor and dozer work.
Dust and noise
- Use water suppression, low speed and covers on loads; stop or adjust work in high wind.
- Maintain silencers and guards; avoid unnecessary revving and respect permitted working hours.
Spills and silt
- Store fuel in bunded areas and use drip trays when refuelling.
- Keep spill kits available; contain spills away from drains and watercourses.
- Check silt fences and settlement ponds; prevent mud tracking onto roads.
Worked example: Dust is blowing toward nearby houses. Reasoning: reduce speed, adjust the water bowser and consider stopping until wind direction or strength changes. Record the action. Over-watering can create runoff, so apply enough to suppress dust without forming muddy flows.
Traps: hosing a spill into a drain, ignoring track-out onto the road, and over-watering that creates silt-laden runoff.
Key points
- Suppress dust with controlled water and speed.
- Maintain noise controls and working hours.
- Bund fuel and keep spill kits available.
- Protect drains and watercourses from spills and silt.
- Prevent mud tracking onto public roads.