In part one of this two-part blog series, we looked at some of the key entities who benefit most from SWPPP inspectors on construction sites. From people to animals, plants and commercial entities alike, SWPPP inspectors offer major value in several different ways in the construction world.
At Silver Leaf SWPPP, we're here to offer the best SWPPP inspection services you'll find in Utah, working directly with clients to help them get the most out of their SWPPP programs. Our inspectors are highly qualified and experienced in identifying potential risks to water systems, wildlife, plants and people alike; allowing contractors to go about their work with confidence that all necessary steps have been taken to ensure safety. In today's part two of our series, we'll go over some of the key areas that SWPPP inspectors will look at on your site, and how they'll work with you to ensure compliance and comprehensive coverage.
One of several key details on your SWPPP will be the name of the employee who is charged with ensuring others on the jobsite follow all SWPPP regulations laid out in the plan. One of the most important roles of an inspector here, then, is to meet with this employee on a regular basis for a site tour.
During these tours, they will look to ensure all personnel are wearing the appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and that no harmful materials are being handled in an unapproved manner. They'll also check to make sure that the right techniques for installation and disposal of hazardous materials is being followed.
One of the key elements that will be assessed during a SWPPP inspection is the entrance points to the construction site. Here, inspectors will be looking to make sure that everything from soil tracking and pollution entry prevention techniques are in place.
This includes things like mats, berms and silt fencing which will help reduce erosion from the area or limit potential pollutants from entering nearby water systems. These techniques, when implemented correctly by your SWPPP inspector, will help protect water systems and wildlife from any potential pollutants.
Down similar lines, SWPPP inspectors will also be looking for appropriate exit points from the construction site. These should be checked regularly to ensure that no pollutants are leaving the area, and if they are, to confirm proper management techniques have been put in place with clear signage indicating as such.
For instance, if a pollutant is entering a water system, the inspector will be looking for signage indicating the potential hazard and steps taken to reduce it. If a pollutant is leaving the site via airways, inspectors may look for dust control systems in place or other solutions which limit any pollution.
In many cases, SWPPP inspectors will also look at side streets or nearby areas to ensure no pollutants are leaving the construction site. These can be anything from small puddles of water or oil which may have leaked from equipment, to areas where soil is tracking offsite and entering nearby bodies of water.
The inspector will note all potential hazards onsite, and take steps to make sure they are managed or removed as quickly as possible. This can include anything from providing additional PPE training to personnel onsite, to ordering removal of any hazardous materials.
Your SWPPP will also contain a plan for runoff containment, which should be checked regularly to ensure everything is up to code. This includes elements such as sediment basins or oil/water separators which help reduce pollutants from leaving the site and entering nearby water systems.
Your inspector will look at all of these areas to ensure that they are functioning correctly and are being managed appropriately. This can include regular maintenance, testing of water and other elements to ensure any potential pollutants are being properly contained.
Overall, SWPPP inspectors offer major value when it comes to construction sites. By regularly looking at all safety aspects as well as pollutant management techniques, they help protect people, animals, plants and commercial entities alike. With their help, everyone can rest assured that all regulations are being followed and potential hazards are managed in a responsible way.
For more on what we do and how we benefit your construction site, or to learn about any of our SWPPP inspections or other solutions, speak to our team at Silver Leaf SWPPP today.
