Summary
On site health, safety and environmental management system support, (OHSAS 18001 & ISO 14001) for a complex and innovative construction project.
The problem
In this case the problem simply boiled down to resource and expertise. As a result, Statius was approached to supply management systems support services for the Newhaven Energy Recovery Facility (ERF).
The client
HOCHTIEF is one of the leading international providers of construction related services, the company being represented in all major markets internationally.
The Group’s service offering encompasses the fields of development, construction, services, concessions and operation and covers the entire life cycle of infrastructure projects, real estate and facilities.
Newhaven ERF is designed to export around 16.5 megawatts of electricity to the national grid; the equivalent to powering more than 25,000 homes. Understandably, there are many complex challenges to face in its construction.
The approach and the solution
To meet these challenges, the refuse bunker and incinerators are set in a 17m deep, reinforced concrete basement. Additionally, and as expected, the Environment Agency imposed very tight conditions on construction water discharges. Consequently, to enable the construction of the basement avoiding excessive water discharge, HOCHTIEF developed an extremely innovative construction method. First, excavation was carried out under water inside a circular cofferdam formed by a 53m diameter 28m deep reinforced concrete diaphragm wall. The 8,000 ton concrete basement itself was constructed at ground level next to, but outside, the diaphragm wall. Both were built inside a sheet piled dry dock, which was then flooded allowing the structure to be floated over into its permanent position within the diaphragm wall. This method eliminated the need for long-term ground water pumping required by conventional in-situ methods.
Statius was brought on board to provide safety and environmental support on site with Matt Lear of Statius providing on site support by way of:
• Safety and environmental audits
• System management support
• Attendance and support at the third party surveillance audit
• Discharge monitoring via the EA
• Control and review of the remediation works for the contaminated soil.
• Drugs and alcohol testing support
• Development of control system for the complex sub-basement working area
• Site inductions
• Risk assessment and method statement review for sub-contract work.
This work has further led to involvement by Statius on other HOCHTIEF sites on the Olympic peninsula, providing similar support activities.
The outcome
Statius’s considerable and very practical construction experience was brought to bear on a complex project providing a fresh approach to on-site management. In addition, a multi-disciplined Statius consultant was on site throughout the project and able to support the management during difficult periods.