SOP 9.2 Environmental Protection — Wildlife & Plants

Document ReferenceSOP_9.2

Issue Number3

Issue Date01/05/2026

Next Review01/05/2027

Approved ByAaron Mason, Director

Controlled ByAaron / Leanne Mason · Sean Ashton

Environmental Protection — Wildlife & Plants

ISO 14001:2015 Clauses 6.1.2 & 8.1 · Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 — Wildlife and plants

Procedure overview

This procedure defines the requirements for protecting wildlife and plants during A M Water Services' operations.

Environmental Protection — Wildlife & Plants — Process Flow

Directors (Aaron + Leanne Mason)

Aaron Mason (MD)
Leanne Mason (Director)

Identify & Assess

The company recognises the importance of protecting the wildlife

Particular consideration is provided to: · * Nesting birds & bats · * Badgers (sets & spoil heaps) · * Newts & water voles · * Fish

Ensure that employees and Sub-Contractor do not disturb known wildlife habitats and employ a Specialist to provide advise on protecting the species where required.

Additional wildlife detected during operations? (nesting birds or bats, badger sets, newts, water voles & other mammals & rodents, etc.).

YES / NO

Do not permit the operation of plant & machinery too near protected wildlife and maintain at least 30M distance from Badger sets (spoil heaps).

NOTE: · Bird nesting season in UK is from February to August, but some birds such as barn owls will nest all year round. It is a punishable offence to intentionally, or recklessly disturb any wild bird while it is nesting, or to take or destroy any wild bird eggs.

As contractors we must aim to avoid impact to nesting birds and infringement of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and breaching the European Habitats Directive 1992/Nesting Birds Directive.

Notify HSQE team and/ore Environment Agency or SEPA. To seek advise on how to protect the species.

Directors (Aaron + Leanne Mason)

Aaron Mason (MD)
Leanne Mason (Director)

Review & Approve

Do not start to cut the hedgerow until it is determined there are no birds nesting in the hedgerow · (see note above).

When tree or vegetation clearance work has to be undertaken during the nesting season, a pre-works survey needs to be carried out by a suitably competent person

As a general rule, it should be assumed that birds will be nesting in trees and hedgerows

We will assess, record and confirm that any works carried out in the management of trees, hedgerows and other vegetation has not disturbed actively nesting birds.

Ensure materials, equipment and spoil is kept at least 5M away from the hedgerow (where practicable)

Directors (Aaron + Leanne Mason)

Aaron Mason (MD)
Leanne Mason (Director)

Review & Approve

Take care not to damage tree roots when clearing access to site: · * Roots of 12mm must not be cut when the tree trunk diameter is · less than 150mm · * When the roots are exposed that they are kept moist · * Take care during reinstatement to avoid damage to roots

Directors (Aaron + Leanne Mason)

Aaron Mason (MD)
Leanne Mason (Director)

Implement & Monitor

Identify invasive plants

Japanese Knotweed is found in river banks and moist areas and is considered to be a major threat to conservation.

Giant Hogweed, Himalayan Balsam, Ragwort & Deadly Nightshade can be very dangerous.

Consult with HSQE team and/or EA Invasive Plants specialist for advise on identification, removal & disposal of these plants.

Notify landowner of invasive plants detected during operations.

Make arrangements / applications for an variations resulting from changes to operations imposed on the work site.

Process / Activity

Decision Point

Document / Cross-reference

Approval / Conformance

Rework / Issue

Environmental Protection — Wildlife & Plants

Environmental Protection — Wildlife & Plants — Process Flow

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