STONEMEN CRAFTS INDIA PRIVATE LIMITED

SOP For Prevention of Soil Contamination

Table of Contents

1. Purpose
2. Scope
3. Responsibilities
3.1 Environmental Health & Safety Officer
3.2 Site Supervisors
3.3 Employees
4. Definitions
5. Procedure
5.1 Soil Contamination Prevention Strategies
5.1.1 Proper Waste Management
5.1.2 Control of Chemical Spills
5.1.3 Monitoring and Inspections
5.2 Risk Assessment and Mitigation
5.2.1 Identifying Contamination Risks
5.2.2 Implementing Preventive Measures
5.3 Training
5.3.1 Initial Training
5.3.2 Ongoing Training
5.4 Emergency Procedures
5.5 Documentation and Record-Keeping
6. Compliance
7. Review and Revision
8. Approval

1. PURPOSE

The purpose of this Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) is to provide clear guidelines for
preventing soil contamination at the workplace and other operational sites in accordance
with Indian environmental laws and regulations. This SOP aims to protect soil quality,
minimize environmental risks, and ensure compliance with relevant statutory requirements,
ultimately contributing to a sustainable and healthy ecosystem.

2. SCOPE

This SOP applies to all employees, contractors, and environmental health and safety
personnel engaged in activities that may impact soil quality. It covers preventive measures,
waste management practices, chemical handling, and environmental monitoring to prevent
soil contamination.

3. RESPONSIBILITIES

1 |PAGE
 STONEMEN CRAFTS INDIA PRIVATE LIMITED

3.1 ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH & SAFETY OFFICER

 Ensure compliance with Indian environmental laws and regulations regarding soil
protection, including guidelines from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and
Climate Change (MoEFCC).
 Oversee soil contamination prevention efforts, including waste management
practices and chemical spill control.
 Conduct periodic assessments of potential contamination risks.
 Develop and implement corrective actions when necessary.

3.2 SITE SUPERVISORS

 Monitor soil conditions and report any potential contamination hazards.

 Ensure that all preventive measures are followed in daily operations.
 Coordinate waste management, chemical storage, and spill prevention efforts on-
site.

3.3 EMPLOYEES

 Adhere to safety and environmental guidelines to prevent soil contamination.

 Report any signs of soil contamination or unsafe conditions.
 Participate in training programs focused on soil protection and contamination
prevention.

4. DEFINITIONS

 Soil Contamination: The presence of hazardous substances or pollutants in the soil

that may be harmful to health, the environment, or agriculture.
 Preventive Measures: Actions taken to avoid or reduce the likelihood of soil
contamination.
 MoEFCC: Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, the Indian
government body responsible for regulating environmental protection laws.

5. PROCEDURE

5.1 SOIL CONTAMINATION PREVENTION STRATEGIES

5.1.1 PROPER WASTE MANAGEMENT

 Segregation: Waste should be segregated at the source into biodegradable, non-

biodegradable, and hazardous waste to avoid contamination.
 Storage: Ensure that waste, especially hazardous waste, is stored in approved
containers that are properly labeled and sealed to prevent leakage into the soil.
 Disposal: Hazardous waste should be disposed of according to guidelines laid out by
the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and local regulatory authorities. Non-

2 |PAGE
 STONEMEN CRAFTS INDIA PRIVATE LIMITED
hazardous waste should be managed through recycling or safe disposal in designated
landfills.

5.1.2 CONTROL OF CHEMICAL SPILLS

 Chemical Storage: Chemicals must be stored in safe, secure areas away from direct
contact with soil. All chemicals should be properly labeled with hazard warnings.
 Spill Response: In the event of a chemical spill, immediately use appropriate spill
containment materials (e.g., absorbent pads, sand, or chemical spill kits).
 Cleanup: After containment, clean up the area thoroughly to prevent contamination.
Report all spills and document the response actions taken.
 Training: Provide employees with training on how to handle and store chemicals
safely to prevent accidental spills and leaks.

5.1.3 MONITORING AND INSPECTIONS

 Regularly monitor soil quality around work sites to identify potential contamination
early.
 Inspect storage areas for chemicals, waste management sites, and areas where spills
could occur.
 Keep records of soil conditions and inspection results for future reference and
compliance purposes.

5.2 RISK ASSESSMENT AND MITIGATION

5.2.1 IDENTIFYING CONTAMINATION RISKS

 Assess potential risks based on the materials and chemicals used in daily operations.
 Identify areas where improper disposal or leakage could lead to contamination, such
as waste disposal sites, chemical storage areas, and construction zones.

5.2.2 IMPLEMENTING PREVENTIVE MEASURES

 Install proper containment systems to prevent the leaching of chemicals into the soil.
 Use non-toxic and eco-friendly materials wherever possible to minimize
environmental impact.
 Regularly update and maintain protective barriers (e.g., retaining walls, containment
basins) around areas that are prone to contamination risks.

5.3 TRAINING

5.3.1 INITIAL TRAINING

 Frequency: Upon hiring or before exposure to potentially hazardous materials.

 Content:
o Introduction to the causes and effects of soil contamination.

3 |PAGE
 STONEMEN CRAFTS INDIA PRIVATE LIMITED
o Understanding of safe waste disposal practices and chemical handling
procedures.
o How to recognize and report potential contamination risks.
o Proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE).

5.3.2 ONGOING TRAINING

 Frequency: Annually or as needed.

 Content:
o Review of best practices for soil contamination prevention.
o Updates on any changes to Indian environmental regulations, such as those
from the CPCB or MoEFCC.
o Hands-on practice with spill response procedures, waste management
techniques, and soil monitoring.

5.4 EMERGENCY PROCEDURES

1. Assess the Situation:

o If contamination is suspected, immediately stop all activities and assess the
affected area.
o Determine the type of contamination and the appropriate response
measures.
2. Activate the Alert:
o Notify the Environmental Health & Safety Officer and other relevant
authorities (e.g., local pollution control board) if necessary.
o Evacuate the area if the contamination poses an immediate health risk.
3. Containment:
o Use barriers, absorbents, or other containment materials to prevent the
spread of contaminants into the soil.
o Prevent runoff from spreading contaminants to other areas.
4. Remediation:
o Engage professional remediation services if contamination is significant.
o Follow up with soil testing to ensure that the contamination has been
effectively addressed.

5.5 DOCUMENTATION AND RECORD-KEEPING

 Maintain detailed records of all preventive measures, inspections, and training

activities related to soil contamination prevention.
 Document all emergency responses, spill cleanups, and corrective actions taken.
 Ensure records comply with regulatory requirements set by the MoEFCC and CPCB.

6. COMPLIANCE

This SOP must comply with all relevant Indian environmental laws and regulations,
including:
4 |PAGE
 STONEMEN CRAFTS INDIA PRIVATE LIMITED
 The Environmental Protection Act, 1986 (EPA)
 The Hazardous Waste Management Rules, 2016
 Guidelines from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)
 Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEFCC) standards.

7. REVIEW AND REVISION

This SOP will be reviewed annually or whenever there are significant changes to relevant
regulations, technology, or operational practices. Any revisions will be communicated to all
employees.

5 |PAGE