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Appendix G - Considerate constructor scheme requirements

Organisational, local or national considerate constructor scheme requirements (guidance for scheme administrators)

The purpose of this appendix is to provide guidance for considerate construction scheme administrators or operators, against which they can determine whether their scheme is potentially eligible for recognition by BREEAM as a ‘compliant scheme’ and therefore whether performance, as assessed or rated by that scheme, is appropriate for the purpose of awarding BREEAM credits.

Where the administrator has reviewed their scheme against the requirements below and wishes to have the scheme listed by BREEAM as a ‘compliant scheme’, they should contact the BREEAM office at BRE Global, providing the following information:

A description of the scheme’s operation, including how it monitors and verifies compliance and to what standards it (or its assessors) are accredited
The scheme’s requirements
How the scheme scores or rates contractor and site performance against that code of practice
If relevant, the number of projects that have used the scheme and the average score or level of performance achieved.

BRE Global will then inform the scheme operator of the next steps in the review and listing process.

Please note: BRE Global do not provide translation services and therefore considerate construction scheme administrators or operators must submit translated documents (in English) alongside the relevant sections of the original documents.

Operational scheme requirements

The scheme has a code of practice (see below for scope).
The assessment and scoring for the scheme is structured such that it is possible to determine and rate the performance of the contractor or site against the scheme as a whole, and for individual code of practice items, on the basis of:
1. Non-compliance
2. Compliance (level required to achieve two BREEAM credits)
3. ‘Beyond’ compliance (if applicable), e.g. top quartile performance
4. Exemplary practice, e.g. top 10% performance.
The scheme has defined a baseline of performance against which performance of individual items and overall project performance is determined. This baseline should broadly align with widely recognised good practice on construction sites within the country of assessment or wider international region.
The performance of contractors and sites are independently monitored and verified by individuals or service providers appointed by the scheme administrator.
The scheme administrator demonstrates what measures they have in place to ensure that those who undertake the assessment and verification have the necessary skills, knowledge and experience to do so competently.
Construction sites are visited at least once by the monitor during the construction phase to verify compliance with, and rate performance against, the scheme's code of practice (or more frequently for sites where the construction phase is longer than 12 months).
Construction site performance is reported by the monitor and an overall score or compliance determined for each site visit.
A certificate of performance or compliance is awarded to the contractor by the scheme administrator.
The scheme administrator operates a public complaints procedure and investigates complaints accordingly.

Scope of scheme’s code of practice

The scheme’s code of practice must include or account for the following categories and items:

Environmental awareness and impact mitigation

Demonstrate constructor awareness, consideration and mitigation of the impact of the site on the environment.

Environmental Management Systems or environmental policy
Management and prevention of light, noise, air, land and water pollution
Energy and water saving measures or processes
Waste reduction and diversion from landfill measures or processes
Responsibly sourced and low impact construction materials
Locally sourced labour and suppliers
Monitoring and targeting of environmental impacts
Protection of ecological features
Low or zero carbon sources of energy
Construction site operative awareness and training.

Safe and adequate access

Demonstrate that the constructor operates the site in a manner that ensures safe access to and around the site.

Site traffic management plan
Unobstructed, clearly signed and safe roads, footpaths and diversions
Accessible, safe and signed site and site accommodation for all genders or abilities
Secure site and boundary
Provision of safety information and emergency procedures
Provision of signs, notices and other information in the common local languages
Protection of the public from site activities, e.g. plant movement, debris etc.
Management of site visitors.

Safe and considerate working environment

Demonstrate that the constructor is operating the site in a clean, safe and accountable manner in order to ensure the wellbeing of site operatives and to minimise the risk to their health and safety.

Provision of clean, well maintained and appropriately sized or located or screened site facilities (showers, changing or drying facilities, or smoking areas or canteens)
Occupational health guidance and provision of emergency information or procedures, first aiders and first aid equipment
Clean and well maintained work areas and plant
Monitoring or preventing anti-social or criminal behaviour on site and around the perimeter, e.g. littering, abusive or offensive language, vandalism or graffiti
Provision of clean and appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Implementation, monitoring and compliance with a health and safety plan produced for the site (a plan which sets out procedures to ensure construction work is carried out safely for the protection and welfare of site workers and others who may be affected by the work)
Professional appearance and behaviour of site operatives
Training needs of site operatives.

Good neighbour

Demonstrate that the constructor operates the site in a manner that is considerate to the surrounding neighbours and those who visit the locality within the site's vicinity.

Communication, notification and accessible information concerning site activities or a programme or information, including emergency procedures or contacts
Accessible site management and comments procedure
Maintenance and cleanliness of the site, perimeter and adjacent roads, and site access
Dust and noise prevention measures
Site image, including visually appropriate and well maintained site hoardings and boundary and advertised scheme involvement
Wider community engagement.