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Should all new building be energy efficient

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Pollution is an issue that the construction industry cannot ignore. The main types of pollution you need to be aware of are air, water and noise. If you don't put precautionary measures in place to manage harmful waste, it can directly affect site employees and people living nearby. This includes causing irreversible damage to their health, with a concerning link between pollutants and cancer.

Asbestos is one of the most dangerous forms of construction waste. Having an understanding of what asbestos is, the forms it can take, and what to do if you encounter it could be potentially life saving. Take a look at our Asbestos Awareness training to learn more.

Here, we explain the different types of pollution that may be produced as a result of construction activities and suggest ways you can manage and reduce your contribution.

Air Pollution

Air pollution refers to man-made emissions that are released into the atmosphere. Poor air quality is a global health hazard, with the combined effects of ambient air pollution and household air pollution associated with approximately 6.7 million premature deaths annually (World Health Organization). Further, air pollution contributes significantly to the warming of the planet, and therefore to climate change.

As construction activities are a large contributor to air pollution, organisations within the sector have a shared responsibility to limit the amount they produce. Therefore, you'll need to have an awareness of the emissions your work activities create and take precautions to limit the harmful impact.

Common construction activities that contribute to air pollution include:

Use of plant and vehicles on site. This depends on the site activities but can include machinery such as breakers, bulldozers, dumpers and excavators. Plant and machinery that is used at construction sites is not regulated by the government to the degree that other vehicles are. Due to the scale of many construction projects, equipment is often running and polluting for a long time. As a lot of this heavy machinery, and other vehicles on site, operate on diesel engines, they release pollutants into the air. This includes the gases carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbons.

Land clearing and demolition. As land often has to be cleared and made suitable for construction to take place, this process must be done in a way that ensures the impact on the environment is as minimal as possible. As well as with the construction of buildings, high levels of dust are generated when land is disrupted and existing buildings demolished.

Chemicals. It is likely that you will use hazardous chemicals on construction sites. This may include paints, glues, oils, thinners and plastics, which all produce noxious vapours.

These large quantities of construction dust from cement, concrete, silica and wood are collectively classified as PM ₁₀. PM ₁₀ is particle matter less than or equal to 10 micrometres in diameter that is invisible to the naked eye. The diesel engine exhausts of plant and other vehicles is also a large contributor to PM ₁₀ emitted at construction sites. Specifically, this is referred to as diesel particle matter (DPM) and contains sulphates and silicates that add to the pollutants in the atmosphere.

Consequences of Air Pollution

Employees

Research into PM ₁₀ has shown that it can penetrate deep into the lungs of those who inhale polluted air. For employees working regularly on construction sites, there is an increased risk of them developing health complications as a result. Poor air quality due to pollution can cause the following health problems:

Indeed, 56% of the occupational cancers in men are within the construction industry. This includes mesothelioma, a type of cancer that develops on the lining of the lungs and chest and which the only known cause of is asbestos exposure. Frequent exposure to dusts and fibres, such as silica and asbestos, as well as the fumes and gases emitted by vehicles and machinery explains why lung cancer is particularly common amongst construction workers. Indeed, those working in the construction industry are potentially exposed to between 15 and 20 carcinogens as a result of common work activities.

Local Residents

People living nearby to construction sites may also experience the effects of air pollution. Although local residents will not be in such close proximity to the pollutants as workers, they may experience the effects of poor air quality long after the project has been completed. PM ₁₀ and other air pollutants are spread by wind to the surrounding area and can then settle. Here, residents often unknowingly breathe them in and may then develop a cough or shortness of breath as a short-term consequence.

Environmental

As well as the consequences to human health, you need to be aware of the impact air pollution has on the environment. Construction sites are responsible for 14.5% of PM 2.5 (particle matter that is 2.5 micrometres in diameter) and 8% of PM 10 emissions. The majority of this comes from construction machinery and generators that run on diesel, with 1% representing dust from site activities such as demolition. Both plants and animals struggle to thrive as a result of this contamination, causing a loss of biodiversity and disrupting the food chain. If you want to learn more, why not take a look at our Environmental Awareness Course.

Water Pollution

Water pollution happens when toxic substances end up in water bodies such as rivers, lakes and oceans. This pollution may be visible, either on the surface or deposited on the bed, or invisible to the human eye, such as chemicals that dissolve in water. Construction activities often involve the use of toxic chemicals and pollutants that can end up in the water table if not managed well.

Common construction sources that contribute to air pollution include:

All of these contaminants have the potential to end up in water as a result of runoff from construction work. Pollutants can enter the water system in a number of ways, such as through drains, seeping into soil, or runoff directly into rivers or lakes.

Consequences of Water Pollution

People

Pollutants from construction sites can soak into the groundwater. It is much harder to treat groundwater than it is surface water and so, as a source of human drinking water, there is a risk that some chemicals may end up being consumed. Chemical pollutants such as arsenic and mercury can cause serious health issues, including cancer, if ingested through contaminated water supplies.

Environmental

Water contaminated by pollutants produced by the construction industry poses a serious danger to the environment. Once pollution has entered the water system, it can harm or kill fish and animals living in it or drinking from it. This can disrupt the entire ecosystem of animals, plants, bacteria and fungi, causing many species to suffer as a result.

Noise Pollution

Noise pollution is likely to be the type of pollution that's effects are experienced immediately. The equipment you use may be particularly loud, meaning it is often heard by members of the public who live nearby. As a result, this can cause local residents to experience varying levels of stress, sleep disturbance or high blood pressure.

You must also consider the effects of noise pollution on the construction workers themselves. Additionally, if employees use equipment that is particularly loud, they may even experience hearing loss.

In terms of an environmental impact, noise pollution can disturb the natural cycles of animals as well as reducing the size of the habitat they can use.

Pollution Prevention Strategies

Managing how much pollution you create as a company and as an individual is incredibly important. As well as controlling the negative impacts on site workers, local residents and the environment, enforcing pollution prevention strategies can have a significant positive impact on your business. By working sustainably and considering how you can limit the impact of your construction activities, perception of your company is going to be positive and you can establish yourself as a forerunner in comparison to your competitors.

Under the Environmental Damage (Prevention and Remediation) (England) Regulations 2015, businesses are made financially liable for any damage they cause to land, air, water and biodiversity in England. The regulations reinforce what is known as the 'polluter pays' principle. This is in place to hold businesses responsible for the pollution they create by encouraging them to limit their environmental impact with financial incentives. Companies also risk being fined for breaking environmental laws. Some of these so-called 'enforcement undertakings' are an alternative to prosecutions, with the money going towards projects helping wildlife. Therefore, if your construction activities do create a lot of pollution, especially when it is avoidable or manageable, you risk being given a significant fine.

To try and reduce your pollution contribution we have created a list of suggestions that you could put in place:

Air Pollution

Never burn waste materials. Doing so will cause smoke, releasing poisonous gases such as carbon monoxide into the atmosphere. In the UK, you risk being fined for burning materials on site under the Clean Air Act 1993.

Adopt hybrid technology in place of diggers and excavators with diesel engines. For example, Volvo is currently trialling a prototype hybrid excavator that runs on electric power generated from the down-swing of its boom arm.

Use low sulphur diesel to power equipment and vehicles.

Improve your existing equipment by using particulate filters and catalyst converters.

Use water sprays or sprinklers to control some types of dust and stop it spreading. This will be particularly beneficial during tasks such as the filling of skips or breaking down of concrete.

Use an on-tool extraction to control some types of dust. This is a type of exhaust that fits onto some tools and removes dust as it is being produced.

Source local materials to avoid the need for them to be transported hundreds of miles.

Use renewable or sustainable materials, such as timber from sustainably managed forests.

Wear appropriate PPE, such as the correct type of respiratory protective equipment (RPE) depending on the task.

Water Pollution

Monitor and improve your management and disposal of site waste. Make sure all waste is correctly dealt with to stop it from spreading.

Keep materials such as sand or cement secure. Materials must be located where there isn't a risk of them being washed into waterways or drains.

Cover up all drains to prevent waste from ending up in the water.

Keep the road and footpath to the site clean at all times. This will prevent silt and other pollutants from running off into any bodies of water.

Properly collect and treat any wastewater that you produce.

Noise Pollution

Use quiet power tools and equipment to manage noise pollution. Where possible, use modern construction equipment that has been designed specifically to produce less noise.

Schedule work during sociable hours rather than when residents are likely to be sleeping. For example, between 8 to 6pm on weekdays. You could also notify local residents of the working hours and keep them updated on the project.

Put acoustic (movable noise) barriers in place to manage the levels of noise pollution.

Ensure plant and equipment is properly maintained and operated.

Switch off plant when it's not in use.

Ensure employees wear the correct PPE when required to reduce the risk of hearing loss due to excessive noise.

The construction industry must recognise the responsibility it has to monitor and limit the amount of pollution it collectively creates. One of the simplest measures you can take is to be conscious of how much waste and pollutants your work activities create and the consequences they have. Whether you are an employer or employee in the sector, there are strategies that reduce the amount of pollution produced that you can enforce and encourage others to do the same.

What to Read Next:

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Pollution from Construction: What Are the Types & How Can We Prevent It?

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Pollution is an issue that the construction industry cannot ignore. The main types of pollution you need to be aware of are air, water and noise. If you don't put precautionary measures in place to manage harmful waste, it can directly affect site employees and people living nearby.

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Abstract

Nowadays due to the rapid development of urbanization, the development of new scientific and technological areas, buildings, structures and monuments of the architectural and cultural significance are experiencing a negative impact, in particular, from dust deposition which is caused by polluted air. Studying together the physical and visual aspects of contamination of building constructions allows to evaluate not only the degree of deterioration of the object, but also the emotional component of human perception, because the main purposes of the visual ecology, in our opinion, are the safety of architectural and cultural monuments, which will surely adorn the appearance of modern cities, emphasizing the close relationship with the history as well as adaptation of the environment to a comfortable human perception.

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Impact of the Polluted Air on the Appearance of Buildings and Architectural Monuments in the Area of Town Planning

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Nowadays due to the rapid development of urbanization, the development of new scientific and technological areas, buildings, structures and monuments of the architectural and cultural significance are experiencing a negative impact, in particular, from dust deposition which is caused by polluted air.

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The world over, evidence is growing that green buildings bring multiple benefits.

They provide some of the most effective means to achieving a range of global goals, such as addressing climate change, creating sustainable and thriving communities, and driving economic growth.

Highlighting these benefits, and facilitating a growing evidence base for proving them, is at the heart of what we do as an organisation.

The benefits of green buildings can be grouped within three categories: environmental, economic and social. Here, we provide a range of facts and statistics from various third-party sources that present these benefits.
Environmental
One of the most important types of benefit green buildings offer is to our climate and the natural environment. Green buildings can not only reduce or eliminate negative impacts on the environment, by using less water, energy or natural resources, but they can - in many cases - have a positive impact on the environment (at the building or city scales) by generating their own energy or increasing biodiversity.

At a global level:

The building sector has the largest potential for significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions compared to other major emitting sectors - UNEP, 2009.

This emissions savings potential is said to be as much as 84 gigatonnes of CO2 (GtCO2) by 2050, through direct measures in buildings such as energy efficiency, fuel switching and the use of renewable energy - UNEP, 2016.

The building sector has the potential to make energy savings of 50% or more in 2050, in support of limiting global temperature rises to 2°C (above pre-industrial levels) - UNEP, 2016.

At a building level:

Green buildings achieving the Green Star certification in Australia have been shown to produce 62% fewer greenhouse gas emissions than average Australian buildings, and 51% less potable water than if they had been built to meet minimum industry requirements.

Green buildings certified by the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) results in energy savings of 40 - 50% and water savings of 20 - 30% compared to conventional buildings in India.

Green buildings achieving the Green Star certification in South Africa have been shown to save on average between 30 - 40% energy and carbon emissions every year, and between 20 - 30% potable water every year, when compared to the industry norm.

Green buildings achieving the LEED certification in the US and other countries have been shown to consume 25 per cent less energy and 11 per cent less water, than non-green buildings.

Economic
Green buildings offer a number of economic or financial benefits, which are relevant to a range of different people or groups of people. These include cost savings on utility bills for tenants or households (through energy and water efficiency); lower construction costs and higher property value for building developers; increased occupancy rates or operating costs for building owners; and job creation. Since the publication of WorldGBC's groundbreaking 2013 report, The Business Case for Green Building, we have sought to strengthen the link between green buildings and the economic benefits they can offer.

At a global level:

Global energy efficiency measures could save an estimated €280 to €410 billion in savings on energy spending (and the equivalent to almost double the annual electricity consumption of the United States) - European Commission, 2015.

At a country level:

At a building level:

Building owners report that green buildings - whether new or renovated - command a 7 per cent increase in asset value over traditional buildings - Dodge Data & Analytics, 2016.
Social
Green building benefits go beyond economics and the environment, and have been shown to bring positive social impacts too. Many of these benefits are around the health and wellbeing of people who work in green offices or live in green homes.

Our Better Places for People project focuses on creating buildings which are not only good for the environment, but also support healthier, happier and more productive lives.

WorldGBC and the Green Building Council of South Africa established a joint project to develop a framework to enable complex socio-economic issues to be integrated into any green building rating system in the world.

The world over, evidence is growing that green buildings bring multiple benefits.

They provide some of the most effective means to achieving a range of global goals, such as addressing climate change, creating sustainable and thriving communities, and driving economic growth.

Highlighting these benefits, and facilitating a growing evidence base for proving them, is at the heart of what we do as an organisation.

The benefits of green buildings can be grouped within three categories: environmental, economic and social. Here, we provide a range of facts and statistics from various third-party sources that present these benefits.
Environmental
One of the most important types of benefit green buildings offer is to our climate and the natural environment. Green buildings can not only reduce or eliminate negative impacts on the environment, by using less water, energy or natural resources, but they can - in many cases - have a positive impact on the environment (at the building or city scales) by generating their own energy or increasing biodiversity.

At a global level:

The building sector has the largest potential for significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions compared to other major emitting sectors - UNEP, 2009.

This emissions savings potential is said to be as much as 84 gigatonnes of CO2 (GtCO2) by 2050, through direct measures in buildings such as energy efficiency, fuel switching and the use of renewable energy - UNEP, 2016.

The building sector has the potential to make energy savings of 50% or more in 2050, in support of limiting global temperature rises to 2°C (above pre-industrial levels) - UNEP, 2016.

At a building level:

Green buildings achieving the Green Star certification in Australia have been shown to produce 62% fewer greenhouse gas emissions than average Australian buildings, and 51% less potable water than if they had been built to meet minimum industry requirements.

Green buildings certified by the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) results in energy savings of 40 - 50% and water savings of 20 - 30% compared to conventional buildings in India.

Green buildings achieving the Green Star certification in South Africa have been shown to save on average between 30 - 40% energy and carbon emissions every year, and between 20 - 30% potable water every year, when compared to the industry norm.

Green buildings achieving the LEED certification in the US and other countries have been shown to consume 25 per cent less energy and 11 per cent less water, than non-green buildings.

Economic
Green buildings offer a number of economic or financial benefits, which are relevant to a range of different people or groups of people. These include cost savings on utility bills for tenants or households (through energy and water efficiency); lower construction costs and higher property value for building developers; increased occupancy rates or operating costs for building owners; and job creation. Since the publication of WorldGBC's groundbreaking 2013 report, The Business Case for Green Building, we have sought to strengthen the link between green buildings and the economic benefits they can offer.

At a global level:

Global energy efficiency measures could save an estimated €280 to €410 billion in savings on energy spending (and the equivalent to almost double the annual electricity consumption of the United States) - European Commission, 2015.

At a country level:

At a building level:

Building owners report that green buildings - whether new or renovated - command a 7 per cent increase in asset value over traditional buildings - Dodge Data & Analytics, 2016.
Social
Green building benefits go beyond economics and the environment, and have been shown to bring positive social impacts too. Many of these benefits are around the health and wellbeing of people who work in green offices or live in green homes.

Our Better Places for People project focuses on creating buildings which are not only good for the environment, but also support healthier, happier and more productive lives.

WorldGBC and the Green Building Council of South Africa established a joint project to develop a framework to enable complex socio-economic issues to be integrated into any green building rating system in the world.

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The benefits of green buildings | World Green Building Council

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The world over, evidence is growing that green buildings bring multiple benefits. They provide some of the most effective means to achieving a range of global goals, such as addressing climate change, creating sustainable and thriving communities, and driving economic growth.

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Energy-efficient buildings create economic, social and environmental opportunities. Photo by Przemyslaw Turlej/Flickr

Urbanization presents major challenges: congestion, sprawl, inefficiency, health hazards and high cost of living, just to name a few. But the choices we make for our cities can transform these challenges into opportunities: mobility, connectivity, economies of scale, healthier lifestyles and economic opportunity.

Experts spend a lot of time identifying solutions to seed these transformations, but too often they forget about cities' most iconic landmarks-buildings. Improving the energy efficiency of buildings is an often overlooked strategy that can help alleviate many of the challenges cities face-from climate change to public health problems to unemployment and poverty.

New WRI research examines the vital role building efficiency can play in shaping sustainable cities of the future, as well as ways policymakers can accelerate it in their own communities. Here's a look at four of the economic, social and environmental opportunities building efficiency creates:

1. Buildings are large, long-lasting investments. Efficient buildings provide better social and financial returns.

The construction sector represents 10 percent of world GDP, 10 percent of the workforce, and, in emerging markets, will likely make up 16.7 percent of GDP by 2025. This is a lot of money spent on buildings. These are good, long-term investments, especially because buildings last 40 years or more and construction creates more jobs than other sectoral investments.

Investments in the building sector are less risky and create better returns when directed toward energy-efficient buildings. Globally, buildings and construction are responsible for 60 percent of electricity use, 12 percent of water use, 40 percent of waste, and 40 percent of material resource use. In cities, buildings occupy 50 percent or more of the land area. Each of these is a cost, but each efficiency improvement in energy and resource use removes a cost that the city and its residents no longer have to pay. For example, each additional $1 invested on energy efficiency avoids more than $2 on energy supply spending. Efficiency savings free up money for other investments, stretching scarce resources.

Improvements in efficiency are particularly important for the lowest income urban residents, who pay a larger portion of their income on energy and are least able to afford higher energy prices or cope with unexpected fluctuations in energy costs.

2. Building efficiently the first time offers huge economic opportunities, particularly for developing nations in Asia, Africa and Latin America.

With cities expected to add 3 billion people between 2008 and 2050, almost doubling the global urban population, the world is poised for a building explosion. In fact, an area equal to roughly 60 percent of the world's current total building stock will be built or rebuilt in urban areas by 2030, mostly in developing or emerging countries such as China, India and Indonesia. Without changes in construction practice, related emissions are also expected to skyrocket.

But how cities choose to build makes a big difference. There is tremendous potential to implement best-in-class building practices in new construction in rapidly growing countries. These countries could in reap the economic and climate benefits of energy-efficient buildings and avoid "locking in" decades of inefficiency and the need for more costly renovations later.

3. Building efficiency is one of the most affordable ways to curb climate change.

In addition to reducing infrastructure costs and household expenses, building efficiency also provides the most bang for the buck in reducing climate change-causing emissions. Efficiency improvements in buildings often have low or no marginal cost, or provide a return on investment in the form of energy cost savings in as quickly as six months to a year. This is a significant difference from emissions-saving investments in other sectors such as agriculture or transport, which are relatively expensive or result in lower emissions reductions.

4. Building efficiency can significantly reduce illness and death related to air pollution, particularly in the places suffering the most.

Every year, approximately 3.3 million deaths are caused by energy-related outdoor air pollution-such as smog from coal-fired power plants-and 3.5 million deaths are due to indoor smoke. The highest rates of exposure are in developing cities, where people are dependent on indoor fuel combustion for heating and cooking. In China and India, the regions with the highest air pollution-related mortality rates, the largest contributors to these deaths are residential and commerical energy use-buildings are at the heart of the problem.

Energy-efficient buildings reduce indoor air pollution because they offer cleaner combustion and better ventilation than traditional buildings. And because they use less energy, they also curb outdoor pollution by reducing the fossil fuel pollution created by power generation. Reduction in indoor and outdoor air pollutants can decrease incidence of illnesses such as asthma and lung cancer, as well as lower the rate of premature deaths. This saves not only lives, but also the financial and social costs of medical treatment and lost productivity.

Efficient buildings-those that make highly productive use of natural resources-are vital to achieving sustainable development. By investing in them today, cities can yield "triple bottom line" benefits-including economic, social and environmental opportunities-long into the future.

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4 Surprising Ways Energy-Efficient Buildings Benefit Cities

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Urbanization presents major challenges: congestion, sprawl, inefficiency, health hazards and high cost of living, just to name a few. But the choices we make for our cities can transform these challenges into opportunities: mobility, connectivity, economies of scale, healthier lifestyles and economic opportunity.

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Green construction aims to eliminate or reduce negative environmental effects on the design, construction and operation phase. It's also known as sustainable construction. The aim is not only to reduce damage but to create buildings that have a positive impact on the environment. Construction is one of the largest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions. According to some studies, buildings account for approximately 40% of all CO2 emissions in the US and are responsible for 18% of total emissions globally. One of the biggest burdens is the amount of energy required to construct buildings. A report by the International Energy Agency found that building accounts for 40% of the world's energy consumption.

Some countries have been more active than others in pursuing green construction. The economic benefits are clear. Canada's green building industry has generated $23.45 billion and supported 297,890 full-time jobs in the decade leading up 2014. This figure is more than all of Canada's oil and gas extraction, mining and forestry industries combined. Clear evidence that green initiatives are not hostile to business. In fact, green building is beneficial to both individuals and wider society.

Benefits of Green Construction:

Economic: The initial costs of green construction can be higher than conventional construction. Any extra cost is usually in the design and construction phase. Yet, some studies show there is actually little to no difference in costs. Either way, it is worth investing a fraction more in the early stages because you gain once the building is up and running. Studies have shown that houses built using green techniques achieve higher rents and property prices.

Social: The economic benefits of green construction are broader than individual projects. Governments offer various tax breaks and incentives to reduce consumption of energy and fossil fuels. More countries are including sustainability as policy. The Irish government recently released Project Ireland 2040, an infrastructure plan for the next 25 years. The plan included a €500 million climate action fund for green initiatives. Green construction was an important part of the plan with strategic points including:

Investment in energy efficiency, with 45,000 upgrades to homes

Investment in the energy efficiency of existing commercial and public building stock

Supports for changing out oil-fired boilers to heat pumps, along with the provision of roof solar

The full roll-out of the new Support Scheme for Renewable Heat

Environmental: Construction has a significant impact on the environment. This means that any improvement in construction can have an impact far beyond the sector. At the GoContractor breakfast briefing, Don Ward of Construction Excellence pointed out that young workers are motivated by societal and environmental factors. The construction industry is the perfect fit for these environmentally conscious workers because their jobs can have an impact. Companies should be making this pitch given the current skills shortage.

Tools used in green construction:

Biodegradable Materials: There seems to be a new space age material invented every week destined to revolutionize the way we build. One key factor should be considered more often: a material's biodegradability. Easily biodegradable materials such as sustainably sourced timber, bamboo, mycelium (a kind of fungus), and even classic linoleum don't have to end up in a landfill. In the UK, only 20% of the waste that comes from demolishing buildings is biodegradable. This means that tens of millions of building waste is ending up in landfills. This is an environmental disaster, as well as very inefficient.

Solar Energy: Solar power is a clean energy source and is becoming cheaper and more efficient every year. The source of power is abundant because the only fuel you need is the sun in the sky. You can light your house and even use it to heat your water. Solar panels provide a clean and independent source of power that is free to use once it's installed.

Passive House: This one of the most advanced forms of green construction. The concept originates from Germany (Passivhaus) and uses the design of a building to control the temperature. Every aspect of a building either uses solar power to heat a house in the winter or to reject the heat in the summer. It does not use mechanical or electrical devices but relies on the building design. The benefits are incredible and show the importance of the design phase. Passive houses can have cooling-related energy savings of up to 90% compared to typical building stock.

Technology Efficiency: Actually constructing a building requires a lot of energy. This is usually in the form of fossil fuels and so releases CO2 and other emissions. If you make this process more efficient you can complete more buildings in less time. This significantly reduces the environmental impact per building. Another inefficiency comes from construction's reliance on a large temporary workforce and the inefficient way this workforce is managed. If you use a contractor management system you can ensure that workers receive the proper training and that they arrive ready to work on day one. No more waiting around means projects take less time to complete.

Prefabrication/Modular Construction: You could include this in the category of technological efficiency but it deserves a category of its own. The potential is so great. Prefabrication allows you to build 'off-site' in a controlled environment. This means you require fewer workers and there is less waste, both financially and environmentally. The other major benefit is that workers are much safer in prefabrication and modular construction because conditions are controlled. Hazards can be better identified and the correct steps are taken to prevent worker injury.

New Techniques, New Hazards

Prefabrication and modularization are safer than traditional methods of construction. However, because green construction is a recent development there are new hazards that must be identified. Many of these issues arise from hazards to do with solar technology. A study in the Journal of Construction Engineering and Management found that workers on Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified buildings work at height more often. As a result, they suffer a 24 percent increase in falls to lower levels during roof work compared to traditional construction. They also experience a 14 percent increase in exposure to harmful substances when installing innovative wastewater technologies. Green construction differs from conventional methods in significant ways so you need to take steps to ensure you identify hazards and implement measures to prevent injuries.

Conclusion:

Green building isn't just the future, it's happening right now. The US Green Building Council (USGBC) is one of the sector's pioneers and has led the way with its LEED system and initiatives. According to the USGBC, there are over 92,000 projects participating in LEED and 2.2 million square feet are LEED certified on a daily basis! Green building has the potential to revolutionize the construction sector. Eventually, all construction will be green construction. The effects will be felt not just in the industry but across society as a whole.

Green construction will keep growing until it becomes the norm in the sector. Training will need to be changed to recognize the shift in methods. GoContractor's online contractor management platform is easily customizable to allow for training that is site-specific and tailored for green construction. Workers do their orientations before they step foot on-site. This saves time and makes the building phase more efficient. Less waste makes construction more environmentally friendly.
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Green Construction: What are the Reasons it is Here to Stay | GoContractor

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Green construction aims to eliminate or reduce negative environmental effects on the design, construction and operation phase. It's also known as sustainable construction. The aim is not only to reduce damage but to create buildings that have a positive impact on the environment. Construction is one of the largest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions.