Environmental control officer (ECO)

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1. Where the contract sum in relation to a construction site exceeds $50 million, the occupier of the construction site shall employ a competent person to act as an ECO in the construction site on a full-time basis.

 

2. Where the contract sum in relation to a construction site exceeds $10 million but does not exceed $50 million, the occupier of the construction site shall employ a competent person to act as an ECO in the construction site on a part-time basis.

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Full-time and part-time basis

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(1)  An Environmental Control Officer employed on a full-time basis shall act as an ECO in the construction site for which he is employed for at least 40 hours per week.

 

(2)  An Environmental Control Officer employed on a part-time basis shall act as an ECO in the construction site for which he is employed for at least 15 hours per week.

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Duties of ECOs

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ECOs are required to actively monitor and prevent environmental health issues within construction sites. Their roles include advising construction site contractors on environmental remediation measures, facilitating compliance with the environmental laws, carrying out site inspections and engagement of stakeholders for environmental lapses, as well as educating workers on maintaining good environmental health standards. Specifically, ECOs take charge of the following aspects:

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• Disease-bearing insects and rodents;

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• Proper disposal of construction waste/ marine clay;

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• Noise, air and water pollution;

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• Earth littering;

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• Siltation of drains;

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• Food hygiene in on-site canteens (if any);

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• Proper maintenance of septic tank(s)/ holding tank(s), chemical/ portable toilet(s) and other sanitary facilities; and

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• Any other environmental health matters.

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