BU3 Standard Operating Procedure – Health, Safety and Environment

Air Quality Management

Table of Contents
1 PURPOSE...........................................................................................................................2

2 SCOPE................................................................................................................................2

3 DEFINITIONS......................................................................................................................2

4 PROCEDURE......................................................................................................................2
4.1 General Information on Air Pollution...............................................................................................2
4.2 Identification of Aspects & Potential Impacts..................................................................................3
4.3 Dust Pollution & Controls...............................................................................................................3
4.3.1 Demolition Activities.......................................................................................................................... 4
4.3.2 General Construction & Workshop activities.....................................................................................4
4.3.3 Topsoil & subsoil stripping................................................................................................................. 4
4.3.4 General Earth Works, Mining & Stockpiles........................................................................................ 5
4.3.5 Piling Operations, Drilling & Blasting................................................................................................. 5
4.3.6 Crushing, Processing & Conveying................................................................................................... 5
4.3.7 Roads & Transportation (Haulage & Traffic Routes)..........................................................................6
4.4 Smoke Pollution & Controls........................................................................................................... 7
4.5 Gaseous Pollution & Controls........................................................................................................ 7
4.6 Monitoring, Measurement & Performance......................................................................................8
4.7 Non-Compliance & Reporting........................................................................................................8
4.8 Responsibilities.............................................................................................................................. 8

5 REFERENCES....................................................................................................................8

6 ATTACHMENTS..................................................................................................................9

Revision Details Next Review: Aug 2010

Rev. Date Revision Status Checked Approved
01 31/8/09 First issue, template provided by LCI HSEQ Dept. Peter Finch

Note: Check with Document Control or LCI Controlled Servers before use that this is the current
version.

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Air Quality Management

PURPOSE
This Project Environmental Instruction considers the environmental aspects & potential impacts related to air
quality from PT. Leighton Contractors Indonesia (LCI) Projects & Operations. This PEI serves to provide
guidance & controls required to reduce impact on air quality.

SCOPE
This Standard Operating Procedure applies to all PT. Leighton Contractors Indonesia Projects, Offices and
activities.

DEFINITIONS

Air Pollution: The modification of the natural characteristics of the atmosphere by a chemical,
particulate matter, or biological agent

Pollutant: There are many substances in the air which may impair the health of plants and
animals (including humans), or reduce visibility. These arise both from natural
processes and human activity. Substances not naturally found in the air or at
greater concentrations or in different locations from usual are referred to as
pollutants.

Dust: A general name for minute solid particles with diameters less than 500
micrometers.

PROCEDURE
1.1 General Information on Air Pollution
Activities associated with LCI Operations have the potential to produce air pollutants and thus affect air quality
from a local to a global scale. As an example smoke & dust produced by construction/mining operations may
affect local air quality (immediate surroundings) & generate local community complaints. On a global level,
carbon monoxide & carbon dioxide emissions produced from LCI activities could contribute to Global
Warming.
Air Pollutants can be classified into two broad groups Primary & Secondary Air Pollutants:
Primary Air Pollutants Include:
 Sulphur oxides (SOx) especially sulfur dioxide are emitted from burning of coal and oil.
 Nitrogen oxides (NOx) especially nitrogen dioxide are emitted from high temperature combustion. Can
be seen as the brown haze dome above or plume downwind of cities. Also often released during blasting
processes (by product from Ammonium Nitrate)
 Carbon monoxide is colourless, odourless, non-irritating but very poisonous gas. It is a product by
incomplete combustion of fuel such as natural gas, coal or wood. Vehicular exhaust is a major source of
carbon monoxide.
 Carbon dioxide (CO2), a greenhouse gas emitted from combustion.
 Volatile organic compounds (VOC), such as hydrocarbon fuel vapors and solvents.
 Particulate matter (PM), measured as smoke and dust. PM10 is the fraction of suspended particles 10
micrometers in diameter and smaller that will enter the nasal cavity. PM2.5 has a maximum particle size
of 2.5 µm and will enter the bronchi and lungs.
 Toxic metals, such as lead, cadmium and copper.
 Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), harmful to the ozone layer emitted from products currently banned from
use.

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Air Quality Management

 Ammonia (NH3) often emitted from agricultural processes.

 Odors, such as from garbage, sewage, and industrial processes
 Radioactive pollutants produced by nuclear explosions and war explosives, and natural processes such
as radon.
Secondary Air Pollutants include:
 Particulate matter formed from gaseous primary pollutants and compounds in photochemical smog, such
as nitrogen dioxide.
 Particulate Matter & Dust produced from industrial processes, earthworks, mining activities.
 Ground level ozone (O3) formed from NOx and VOCs.
 Peroxyacetyl nitrate (PAN) similarly formed from NOx and VOCs.

1.2 Identification of Aspects & Potential Impacts

In order to reduce the impact of pollutants produced by LCI Operations it is important to first identify activities
that have the potential to be pollution sources (aspects) and determine the potential impact these activities
may have on the environment.
In this respect:
 The Project Environmental Management Plan & Environmental Aspects Impact Registers (Risk
Assessments) must be completed for all Projects to identify potential impacts and hence prompt specific
actions to manage & reduce impacts. Compliance with BU3-HSE-PRO-001- HSE Risk Management.
 Job Safety & Environmental Analysis must be conducted to identify any potential impacts associated
with tasks that are not covered within the Aspect Impact Register & PEP.
 Note must be made of any Environmental Impact Assessments (often conducted by the client), any
background data or emissions that may emanate from neighbouring activities as well as climatic &
background data that may be available from regulatory bodies or Environmental Protection Agencies.
Whilst conducting the risk assessment process the following aspects should be considered as a minimum
(there may be others that are identified from the process):
 Dust- Generated from roads, loading, process plants, conveyors etc.
 Smoke- Generated from equipment, processes & un-controlled burning.
 Gaseous Emissions- Generated from power generation, fixed plant, vehicles & other mobile equipment
(e.g. SOx, NOx, CO, CO2, Heavy Metal compounds, CFC’s etc.) Methane released from sewage
treatment processes or released from opening coal reserves or through organic breakdown of methane
producing organic matter. Fugitive Emissions (small) generated from Welding, gas cutting & hot First Aid
facilities specific to the risk and numbers on site should be provided (see Section on First Aid).

1.3 Dust Pollution & Controls

Dust is perhaps one of the most significant air pollutants generated by LCI Activities and therefore requires
specific controls to reduce potential environmental impact as well as negative community reaction.
Typical activities that have the potential to generate dust on LCI Projects can include:
 Demolition Works
 General Workshop & Construction
 Topsoil & subsoil stripping
 General Earth Works, Mining & Stockpiling (excavation, loading, haulage & dumping)
 Pilling, Drilling & Blasting
 Crushing, processing & conveying
 Roads & Transportation (Haulage & Traffic Routes)

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Due to the diverse nature of activities associated with LCI Projects it is necessary to identify specific controls &
principals that need to be followed to:
 Contain dust within the confines of the site where possible & not detrimental to employees health
 Ensure that dust leaving site is maintained at acceptable levels and does not give rise to complaints
from surrounding communities.
 Ensure that adequate visibility is maintained in the working environment and does not create negative
localized haze; and
 Minimise the impact of dust emissions on local ecosystems.

1.3.1 Demolition Activities

Demolition activities often generate significant quantities of dust and thus require special controls as a
minimum the following principles shall be considered when conducting demolition works:
 Spray down of areas prior to demolition to reduce dust evolution.
 Stage demolition processes to reduce overall impact
 Restricted use of explosives & heavy demolition equipment
 Provision of dust barriers around drilling sites, rock breaking & jack hammer activities.
 Clean up activities & equipment post demolition to be selected so that minimal dust is produced.
E.g. use of mechanical sweeping/vacuum machines, manual sweeping, spray down.

1.3.2 General Construction & Workshop activities

Dust generated from general construction works & workshop activities can be produced from a variety of
activities. E.g. Hammering, cleaning, sanding, sand blasting, compressed air cleaning, & general building
activities. To reduce dust evolution from these activities the following must be considered:
 Consideration of engineering controls for equipment that generates significant quantities of dust (e.g.
Dust bags for carpentry equipment, extraction fans & bag houses for sand blasting or cleaning
booths).
 Spray down and dust suppression measures for pilling operations to be implemented. Piling
operations to be planed & scheduled where there is less likelihood of dust generation & negative
community response.
 Good housekeeping & cleaning regime of the work area to prevent dust build-up and possible re-
evolution whilst conducting work. E.g. Covering building materials, sweep up & clean up after
activities,

1.3.3 Topsoil & subsoil stripping

Top soil & subsoil removal activities are often associated with civil (earth works) & mining projects and have
the potential to generate dust that may impact the environment & affect neighbouring communities. The
following controls must be considered whilst performing this work:
 Top soil & subsoil stripping activities to be minimised or avoided during dry and windy conditions;
 Water spraying regime to be implemented where feasible to suppress dust;
 Use of stabilising chemicals, covers (where practical) & removed vegetation cover (mulching) to
suppress dust, in instances where ongoing use of water is not practicable.
 The total cleared area at any one time will be kept to a minimum and in accordance with staged
construction/mining works.
 Exposed areas will be revegetated as soon as possible in accordance with rehabilitation/landscape
plans.

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 Control of dust during construction and mining operations will be implemented primarily through
progressive rehabilitation of worked-out areas with stabilising vegetation. Dust suppression methods
will be used in areas that must remain exposed during working of the site.

1.3.4 General Earth Works, Mining & Stockpiles

In many of LCI Operations the excavation, loading, haulage & dumping of ground/overburden and mineral
products (ore) can generate significant quantities of dust. The stockpile of building materials (e.g. cement,
aggregate) as well as products (e.g. ore, processed materials) also has the potential to create dust. The
following controls must be considered whilst performing this work:
 Cover material stockpiles where necessary (e.g. building materials on construction sites);
 Spray down of areas where practical & necessary;
 Use of dust suppression chemicals if required (e.g. “dust-a-cide” for dumps or roads);
 Selection of the right equipment for the job (excavator bucket size, dump truck design);
 Productive & efficient material handling/mining methods to reduce double handling;
 Design of dumps (height & overall size, grading & shaping to reduce wind scour);
 Compaction of stockpiled materials;
 Schedule earthmoving to avoid the driest months;
 Soils will be stockpiled only when necessary and for short durations. Stockpile height shall be kept to
a minimum;
 Soil stockpiles that will remain bare for more than 28 days may be covered with mulch, seeded with
grasses or covered with anchored fabric covers. Water sprays may be required to control dust
emissions. Water will be used sparingly to reduce the risk of sediment movement;
 Locate stockpiles away from waterways, drainage lines and residences;
 Stockpile locations shall be indicated by clear signage on limits of dumping;
 Wind fences (low level perforated, 40% porosity fences) may be used in appropriate areas;
 Deep rip smooth surfaces and leave areas rough and cloddy to reduce wind velocity;

1.3.5 Piling Operations, Drilling & Blasting

Pilling, blasting & drilling operations are often associated with LCI Construction & mining related works. With
respect to drilling & pilling operations every effort must be made to reduce dust from the equipment by
following the following principles:
 Selection of equipment- Selection of Piling & Drill Rigs should consider equipment that has the
technology to reduce & or capture dust during operation.
 Operation of equipment- Consider the operating hours of equipment where there would be less
negative impact in terms of community complaints.
 Suppression- Spray down of areas where practical & necessary.
 Blasting- Dust generated from blasting activities can be significantly reduced by efficient blasting
methods. Eg. Good stemming and no over charging.

1.3.6 Crushing, Processing & Conveying

Crushing, processing & conveying activities can produce significant quantities of dust. In particular activities
associated with the processing & conveying ore form mining operations can cause significant impact &
negative community affects. The use of batch plants for cement works on construction sites also can be a
source of significant dust. The following principle need to be considered to reduce potential dust impact:

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 The crusher hopper, crushers and transfer points on conveyors should be fitted with dust suppression
water sprays or filters to control dust emissions where feasible. The Shift Supervisor must ensure that
these controls are used as required to minimise dust from the crusher and transfer points.
 The height of free-fall of materials from the conveyor exit points to stockpiles must be minimised as far
as is practicable to reduce airborne dust emissions. Where possible consider the use of dust curtains
tubes for falling material. The Shift Supervisor must ensure that the boom is adjusted as required to
achieve this objective.
 If possible all conveyors should be provided with covers over the conveyor as well as below, where
practical, to prevent spillage of materials as well as dust generation from the conveyors themselves.
 All processing areas (crushers, conveyors) should be regularly cleaned up to remove any spilt material
that could act as a potential source of dust.
 If significant dust is generated due to climatic conditions that generates a negative community response
it may be necessary to cease operations until conditions become more favourable (e.g. extreme heat &
wind conditions).

1.3.7 Roads & Transportation (Haulage & Traffic Routes)

Perhaps one of the most significant areas in LCI causing dust & negative community affects is that from road
transportation activities. Examples include transport of topsoil, overburden, ore, construction materials,
products equipment etc.
The following basic principles need to be considered:
Mining Areas/ Unsealed surfaces:
 Mine Plans as well as Traffic Management Plans for all Projects to consider dust generation & potential
for community complaints or negative environmental impacts throughout Project Development (reducing
haulage distance, redirecting traffic away from communities, sealing roads if required etc.).
 Shift Supervisors are to ensure that all roads (mining access, OB/Ore haulage, topsoil transport etc.) are
maintained in a suitable condition to prevent unnecessary generation of dust. (e.g. Good compaction,
grading & drainage management).
 Shift Supervisors must ensure that water or dust suppressants are applied to roads as required. I.e.
Management of water trucks (availability & cycle times), pump points (sufficient volumes to draw from),
increasing requirements during adverse climatic conditions (high wind, increased heat & evaporation).
 Consideration of traffic volumes & cycle time during extreme adverse weather conditions. E.g. Reducing
cycle times or volumes of trucks on haulage routes through communities if dust generation is too high.
 Where practical & feasible covers are to be used on transportation trucks that may be transporting
ore/materials for long distances. Alternatively the material loads could be applied with a light spraying of
water prior to transportation to reduce dust evolution.
 Trucks shall be kept clean to ensure that the minimum of loose material will dislodge during road
transport. If necessary, a “cattle grid” shaker/spray down stations shall be installed prior to the truck exit
to assist the removal of loose material.
Public Areas/ Sealed Surfaces:
Where LCI vehicle & equipment transportation routes are planned along public & sealed roads the following
should be considered & implemented where possible:
 Project Managers ensure the best transportation route possible is planned, so as minimize potential for
impact on communities as well as balance with safety & production needs (e.g. reducing haulage
distance, redirecting traffic away from communities, sealing roads if required etc.).
 Where necessary or required by local authorities use road sweepers or water carts to clean sealed
roads (e.g. in Urban/Public areas).
 Where practical haulage trucks transporting ore, waste, or other potential dust generating materials (e.g.
stone, sand) are to be covered (tarpaulins or other method). All domestic waste trucks to be covered
with tarpaulin or cargo net to prevent littering).

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 If covers are not practical or feasible, consideration should be given to compacting the load as much as
possible & applying a light spraying of water, prior to transportation, to reduce dust evolution from the
load itself.
 All trucks shall be kept clean to ensure that the minimum of loose material will dislodge during road
transport. If necessary, a “cattle grid” shaker/spray down stations shall be installed prior to the truck exit
to assist the removal of loose material.

1.4 Smoke Pollution & Controls

Smoke (particulate mater) is commonly formed by the collection of airborne solid and liquid particulates and
gases emitted when a material undergoes combustion. It is commonly an unwanted by-product of fires
(including stoves, candles, oil lamps, fireplaces), power generation processes (e.g. gensets), emitted as a
component from diesel power engines (e.g. locomotives, vehicles, mining equipment), generated from
controlled burning activities (refuse or land clearing), used for pest control (e.g. fumigation), communication
(smoke signals), or from smoking (tobacco). The following controls should be considered & where feasible
implemented in LCI Operations.
 No burning policy of open fires or waste burning to be enforced on all LCI Projects unless for controlled
burning processes that would comply with relevant country legislation/ legal authority requirements.
 Ensure all fixed plant & mobile equipment that has the potential to produce exhaust smoke is included
on regular planned maintenance schedules and that smoke emissions are considered when mobilizing,
maintaining & remobilizing equipment. In some countries, the testing & compliance with certain smoke
emission parameters may be required.
 Smoke used for pest control to comply with legal requirements and only to be applied during hours
where nuisance to communities or employees is limited.
 Identify & implement smoking & non-smoking areas on Projects as required by country specific
legislation.

1.5 Gaseous Pollution & Controls

A large variety of gases are emitted from LCI activities & equipment that have the potential to cause localized
& global air pollution.
As a minimum, applicable legislative atmospheric emission criteria & pollutants levels should be complied with
at all times for the countries in which LCI Operates.
In this respect it is important to ensure that the following general principles are to be considered & where
practical (legislated) applied to reduce potential atmospheric impact.
 Selection of eco friendly fuels or fuels with less pollution impact (e.g. LPG or oil used instead of
diesel/coal for power generation, biodiesel & lead free fuels used for vehicles instead of diesel where
possible).
 Regular maintenance of fixed plant & equipment to ensure maximal efficiency and less potential for poor
fuel burning processes that would increase potential impact. E.g. Poorly maintained equipment would
require more fuel to be burn resulting in more smoke or gases released.
 Provision of pollution reduction equipment (scrubbers, collectors, converters, extraction & dispersal
equipment etc.) in processes that may produce significant air pollutants (power generation, welding, hot
works, spray painting etc).
 Reduction in the use of gases that may cause negative atmospheric affects (e.g. Replacement of CFC’s
with alternative refrigerant gases).
 Efficient use of chemical agents (e.g. Ammonium Nitrate) in agricultural liming, explosive activities or
other processes.

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1.6 Monitoring, Measurement & Performance

In most countries in which LCI Operates specific legislative air quality & emission parameters are identified &
enforced by the legislators. In some situations the legislation may require formal monitoring programmes to be
implemented and results reported to the authorities.
In order to monitor any potential air pollution impacts from LCI Operations a formal program needs to be
developed & implemented that relates to the significant air pollution impacts identified from due diligence
assessments, EIA’s, Aspects Impacts Register or JSEA’s developed during the Project Life Cycle. In this
respect all Projects must comply with the following Procedures:
 BU3-HSE-PRO-002 HSE Legal Compliance,
 BU3-HSE-PRO-003 HSE Performance,
 BU3-HSE-PRO-007 HSE Audits.
A typical monitoring program needs to be capable of:
 Detecting any significant peaks in air pollutant levels & potential impacts on receiving environment or
community.
 Detecting any significant air pollutants which may have been overlooked in the assessment stage but
are required to be monitored by legislation (i.e. legal review & regular monitoring of legal variables).
 Detecting any potential legal non-compliances with country specific legislation & regulations.
 Measuring the effectiveness of pollution reduction measures (e.g. background/baseline monitoring &
comparison with monitoring during activities).
 Being practically implemented along with other environmental monitoring requirements.
To achieve these objectives, careful consideration is required for monitoring locations, frequencies and the
parameters to be measured all of which would usually be determined from applicable governing legislation.
Where absent the Project Manager in collaboration with an environmental specialist would determine
parameters to be measured for the Project, frequency of measurements & threshold levels for reporting
requirements of any non-compliance with internal or external standards/levels.

1.7 Non-Compliance & Reporting

Where the monitoring or auditing programmes have identified non-compliance to either internal or external
(legal, significant public compliant) air pollution thresholds or reduction targets, the following procedures must
be complied with:
BU3-HSE-PRO-011 HSE Incidents Management
BU3-HSE-PRO-013 HSE Reports

1.8 Responsibilities
Project Manager is responsible for ensuring compliance with regulatory and contractual obligations.
Shift Supervisors are responsible for co-ordinating implementation of this procedure by employees.
Environmental Representative is responsible for providing training in the procedure, monitoring and
reporting on the day-to-day operation of the procedure, regular auditing of the operations and updating the
procedure. He/She also shall insure that all employee and sub-contractors are aware of the requirements to
control air pollution from the site.

REFERENCES
 BU3-HSE-PRO-001 - HSE Risk Management
 BU3-HSE-PRO-002 - HSE Legal Compliance
 BU3-HSE-PRO-007 - HSE Audits
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 BU3-HSE-PRO-011 - HSE –Incidents Management

 BU3-HSE-PRO-012 - HSE Report
 BU3-HSE-SOP-203 - Environmental Inspections

ATTACHMENTS
Nil

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