Local Environmental Quality
essential building material
UK consumption of cement works out at about a quarter of a tonne
per person per year, so a cement works is producing a vital
building material, essential for development and maintenance of our
built environment. Through good housekeeping and sympathetic
landscaping, companies work to minimise the impact of their
operations on the local environment and on local communities.
sound employer
A works is often the major employer in an area (generally rural)
as well as contributing significant sums into the local community
through sub-contracting or buying local services. In the UK, the
industry employs around 3,400 people directly, with another 15,000
jobs depending upon their operations. Indeed, salaries, business
rates and spending with local companies typically add up to some
£15 million-a-year for each works.
under control
All cement works are regulated under the EU IPPC Directive and
are subject to the Waste Incineration Directive. They operate
environmental management systems to ISO 14001 and ten works are
registered under the EU's eco-management and audit scheme,
EMAS.
All BCA members have either ISO 9000/9001 or their own internal
system and comply with EC certification or Kite marking as
appropriate. Castle Cement has ISO 9001 for both its production
division and head office functions and BSI certification for its
integrated management system.
keeping it quiet
There have been major advances in recent years in the reduction
of noise from cement quarries and factories. Factory working and
vehicle movement times are controlled by planning permissions to
minimise potential noise nuisance and changes to blasting practices
in quarries have reduced vibration and noise.
in the know
UK cement producers have developed regular communication with
the local communities around their operations as part of normal
day-to-day operations.
Communications take the form of:
- newsletters explaining plans and progress
- open days allowing communities to see the working
operations
- an open door to members of the community wanting a site
visit
- liaison committees providing a regular forum for dialogue
between companies and community representatives.
biodiversity
The industry is preparing action plans for each of its works to
identify and protect the biodiversity of species, which will in
turn contribute to the promotion of biodiversity in the UK.
case study
An ecological
consultant visiting Castle Cement's Ribblesdale works, at Clitheroe
in Lancashire has said that wildlife found in the quarry there is
even more diverse than that to be found at some nature reserves. He
discovered peregrine falcons and ravens amongst over 80 species of
bird nesting around the quarry and also saw honey bees - amongst
the most sensitive searchers for clean air - living happily within
the works. Restoration plans at the works have been designed to
encourage large new areas of species-rich calcareous grassland,
once common in such limestone areas.