Protecting wildlife during construction
A new app has just been launched to give those working in the construction sector practical advice on working near to wildlife.
The Construction Industry Research and Information Association (CIRIA) and the Ecology Consultancy have made Working with Wildlife available as a free download.
The app offers advice on how to manage a range of protected species possibly encountered on construction sites during building, renovation, extension and conversion works.
These include badgers, bats, birds, dormice, great crested newts, otters, reptiles and water voles.
It includes information on how to recognise various species and signs to look for on site, allowing decisions to be made on whether works can continue or stop while further advice is sought.
The app also contains an introduction to the key aspects of current legislation, a gallery of photographs to help identify species, signs of their presence and habitats, a glossary of some of the terms used, references and further reading.
To help users understand when protected species surveys can be undertaken, a calendar covering survey timings throughout the year is also provided.
Leanne Clowting, executive director of the CIRIA, says: “This new resource further enhances CIRIA’s commitment to champion biodiversity in the built environment.
“Alongside the BIG Biodiversity Challenge and Awards, we hope it will enable construction professionals to ensure that industry can be even more widely proactive in ensuring the future of our endangered species.”
John Newton, founder and strategic advisor at the Ecology Consultancy, adds: “The adaptation of the Working with Wildlife guidance into app form enables construction companies to easily share our guidance and puts it directly into the hands of their on-site employees.
“This will be invaluable in helping developers meet legislation requirements and encourage an understanding of the issues around wildlife conservation that their projects may come up against.”
To download the free app search for Working with Wildlife in the App Store for Apple devices and the Google Play Store for Android.