What is an environmental consultant and how can they help your construction efforts? Let’s take a look at 5 key duties of an environmental consultant.
Changing political landscapes cause new environmental regulations. However, an environmental consultant can ensure your company stays compliant at all times.
What is an environmental consultant?
Environmental consultants give companies advice on various environmental issues. They can also enlighten companies on renewable energy, hazardous waste cleanup, clean water, environmental disasters, among other areas.
If you’re a construction firm, consultants can also help your company work efficiently. This article will provide an in-depth look into the duties of an environmental consultancy. Let’s explore.
5. Regulatory Compliance
Recent politics have placed an emphasis on deregulation. Nevertheless, you must know which regulations are still applicable. Additionally, managers should know how deregulation applies to their business.
Failure to remain current on new regulatory measures could result in costly mistakes.
- Example: You may have certain assumptions about lax regulations. These assumptions could cause you to be more cavalier than normal. As a result, you could face hefty penalties if you’re in violation.
Environmental consulting can educate your company on the following relaxed regulations:
- Volks Rule Repeal: The Trump Administration repealed the Volks Rule. This rule allowed OSHA to punish companies for record-keeping infractions from the past six months.
- Blacklisting Repeal: This rule required contractors who bid on federal projects to disclose past labor violations within the past three years (i.e. wage theft or unsafe working conditions).
On the other hand, your organization could miss new opportunities. Consultants can also inform you about infrastructure spending initiatives at the state or federal level. The United States has a grade of D in infrastructure.
A future administration could foster a large-scale stimulus agenda. These opportunities could give your firm access to more construction projects. Consultants can tell you about new programs, including the best ways to win projects.
Above all, a consultant will inform you about the political winds. Even though the current atmosphere favors deregulation, a future administration could be more stringent. Consulting firms can help your company prepare for potential changes.
4. Renewable Energy
Over the years, the energy market has shifted to renewable energy sources. This means your construction firm could deal with green infrastructure in the future.
If you’re interested in green construction, consultants can transition your company to renewable solutions. Professional advisors can also help your workers receive training in green energy construction.
Many construction companies are building the following types of green infrastructure:
- Solar farms
- Wind farms
- Kinetic wave plants
- Hydroelectric dams
Industrial construction firms can also help the solar industry, which has struggled throughout the years. In the past, many solar companies sold solar panels at no profit. Therefore, many solar manufacturers created large solar platforms to make up for the loss.
Industrial construction firms can contribute to the construction of solar platforms. If you’re not sure how to enter the solar industry, a consultant can guide you accordingly. They can also pinpoint the best opportunities within the green energy sector.
3. Hazardous and Non-Hazardous Waste Cleanup
Your firm must know the latest regulations on disposal and cleanup. Consulting firms can provide the latest information. Plus, they can help you adopt new technologies.
Additionally, they can enhance cleanup efforts in the following areas:
- Ground Treatment and Pumping: The removal of harmful agents and contaminants from wastewater.
- Incineration: The incineration of contaminants and toxic organic compounds.
- Thermal Desorption: The heating of soil to decontaminate the ground.
- Bioremediation: The introduction of positive organisms to degrade contaminants naturally.
Moreover, environmental consultancy can help your firm remove waste or debris that hampers operations. Perhaps your equipment undergoes clogging from excessive mud or sludge. Debris of any kind can cause complications and breakdowns, resulting in pricey repairs.
2. Clean Water
Your construction work may involve working close to drinking water sources. If so, you face the risk of contaminating city water supplies as operations proceed. Breaching water supplies can lead to health hazards. Additionally, state or federal officials could hold your company liable.
To avoid potential disasters, environmental consultants can update your firm on water regulations. They can also provide further insight into wastewater environmental procedures.
Also, consultants can help you establish a viable wastewater infrastructure system. A wastewater infrastructure plan prevents contaminated water from reaching clean water sources. Advisors can ensure you dispose of wastewater safely, thus protecting workers and the community.
1. Environmental Disasters
Despite the best safety measures, construction accidents are unavoidable in certain cases. To mitigate catastrophe, construction firms must have cleanup procedures in place.
This is where environmental consultants can help, as they can help you prepare the best containment guidelines in the event of a disaster. In particular, consultants are also useful in hazardous industries (i.e. oil and gas or nuclear energy).
- Example: If you’re a pipeline construction company, a consultant can help you craft safety protocols that strengthen pipeline integrity. Consultants can also provide further assistance when it comes to repairing damaged pipelines.
If an accident occurs, a pre-planned procedure shows the outside world that you’re committed to cleanup efforts.
What is an Environmental Consultant Outside of Construction?
If you’re wondering, “What is an environmental consultant?” in general, they guide clients in all areas of environmental preservation. They help firms adhere to current regulations. In addition, they lend advice on operating procedures to minimize environmental damage.
Top environmental consulting firms provide professional advice in such areas as clean water, renewable energy, and waste disposal. An environmental consultant is worth the cost, as they can help you avoid environmental disasters. Further, you can shield your firm from financial harm.
Are you interested in the services of environmental consultants? Read more to learn about environmental consulting.
