Midgey Gill Whitehaven

Habitat Protection and Conservation

When undertaking any projects in the natural environment, the aim is to minimise disruption to the surrounding environment, wildlife, flora, fauna, woodland, trees, birds, fish and habitats. An example in watercourse management is that work is often undertaken at specific times of the year so as not to disturb nesting birds.

Watercourse management involving de-weeding, de-silting, flailing and re-profiling of bank sides is carried out carefully. We initially weed cut from the base and side of the dyke, lifting the arisings gently to allow aquatic life to fall back before depositing them to wilt so that other wildlife survives.

Protecting pollinators, hedges, crops, fallow areas, woodland and trees is second nature and enshrined in our company ethos. It forms part of our Quality Delivery Protocol, CPP and RAMS, incorporating pollution prevention protocols, up-to-date servicing of machinery, daily checks and spill kit provision.

Biosecurity & Harm Prevention Considerations

Sweeting Bros Ltd are members of the NAAC, National Association of Agricultural Contractors, under their Assured Land Based Contractor Scheme. We adhere to its golden rule: people entering or leaving premises should ensure their footwear, clothing and machinery are clean when they enter and again when they leave. Contractors should make use of any facilities provided on farm or site, follow up-to-date Defra guidance on biosecurity, and follow the farm or customer biosecurity policy where it is more stringent than Defra’s biosecurity policy.

We adopt this rule into all our practices and enhance where necessary, including but not limited to:

• Awareness of current issues to prevent cross-contamination and spread of invasive species.
• Biosecurity hygiene protocols for plant and personnel, including washing down and disinfecting plant, footwear and clothing before moves, particularly in agricultural areas where livestock are present.
• Protection of flora, fauna, woodland, trees, birds and fish, including protected areas or species.
• Watercourse and groundwater pollution prevention and protection.
• Safe storage and segregation to prevent ingress from trespassing people or animals to site compounds, stores housing plant, machinery, chemicals, fuels and open works or excavation areas.
• Trackway and haul-road provision and removal.
• Prevention of topsoil and substrate damage using weight-dispersal methods for plant, including oak beams, temporary plates and plant with low tyre pressures or tracks.
• Confining works to specific times of year to protect habitats, wildlife or crops.
• Minimum personnel deployed.
• Fire prevention measures, including smoking prohibition.

Health & Safety

All works would be carried out compliantly under H&S and CDM 2015 protocols requiring Construction Phase Plans together with comprehensive assessment of all risks and method statements to minimise risks for all work elements.

Working with Water

Working in or around water poses hazards for employees arising from the natural environment. The presence of vermin and exposure to leptospirosis, together with the possibility of drowning, add to the normal risks involving accidents concerning machinery and moving parts.

Works taking place in live watercourses also pose problems arising from adverse weather and increased rainfall. It is necessary to monitor and adjust programmes to accommodate and minimise risks. Pumping out of accumulating or rising ground water is often required to ensure safe working conditions.

Ground Conditions

Existing ground conditions need to be determined to ensure the integrity of excavation work. Where necessary, excavations would be carried out by ensuring a safe angle of repose, proprietary shoring system or significant temporary works design.

Cooperation

As with any large project where multiple stakeholders are involved, co-operation is key to success. Sweeting Bros Ltd are adept at managing multi-agency stakeholders both on and off site.

Traffic Management

A fully Chapter 8 compliant traffic management programme may need to be implemented and adapted to differing layouts throughout the project to accommodate working in the highway, weight and height restrictions on ancillary lanes and roads. Residential access to adjacent properties is a further consideration for the duration of the works.

Buried Services

Extensive surveys may be necessary to understand any risks before excavating. These can involve large gas, water and electricity mains which need to be addressed and managed.