Health and Safety is a key factor in all our work, and we hold regular health and safety briefings to keep up to date with legislative changes, and incorporate best health & safety practice in our day-to-day operations.
Generic and task-based risk assessments are in place for all our fieldwork activities, as are work instructions for our methodologies. All monitoring equipment is serviced/certificated, and staff are trained in its operation in line with the requirement of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations. Copies of service and training records are available on request.
All sites fished are risk assessed prior to any works being undertaken and, where appropriate, service checks are carried out. Repeated sites are reviewed and any changes recorded and reassessed. Appropriate warning signs are displayed when electric fishing is being carried out and in areas with a high public presence a bank safety officer is deployed.
All members of the team hold current first aid certificates, have passed their construction site safety training (CSCS), and are equipped with the appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), allowing us to operate safely on construction sites. We hold regular health and safety meetings to keep up to date with legislative changes, and incorporate best health & safety practice in our day-to-day operations.
Bio-security is taken very seriously; our survey equipment such as stop nets and boats, and personal protective equipment (PPE) are disinfected between catchments and high risk sites using Virkon S, or an equivalent disinfectant. In addition, equipment is routinely dried out after use to further prevent the spread of disease and transfer of non-native species.
