Ecological Risk Management in Construction

Course Aims:

• To be able to anticipate and manage risks that may arise during construction and ecological contracting.

The course will cover:

• Who and what may be at ‘ecological risk’ on a construction or ecological contracting project?
• The types and origins of both document-based and site-based ecological risk that may be encountered in the ECoW role and why it is important to make a careful distinction between them.
• An examination of why and where document-based ecological risk may occur, why it should not be ignored, nor its implications or significance underestimated.
• The principles of both the traditional approach to risk management as well as a more dynamic and responsive approach based on increased scrutiny and ongoing review – with an emphasis on achieving biodiversity outcomes.
• How to address documentary and design defects and omissions, as well as project changes that may arise during the work.
• How various necessary changes in ecological works on site can and should be achieved and who may be involved in their formulation and approval.

For an ECow to perform effectively, they should work collaboratively with other professionals on site, while being continually aware of when they may need to advise on necessary remedial or corrective measures where required.

The training is aimed particularly at those that work in a site-based role on construction sites or on ecological contracting projects.

As such it will be relevant to: in an Ecological Clerks of Work role

And also, to anybody involved in this area of work such as: local authority ecologists, ecological consultants, environmental managers.

Familiarity with work as an Ecological Clerk of Works is desirable but not essential.

Some experience of either preparing or reviewing Ecological Impact Assessments is also desirable.

• Describe what and who is at risk (in an ecological context) on a construction project.
• Identify the types and origins of ecological risk encountered.
• Determine the implications and significance of latent defects and how these can create ecological risk.
• Describe the traditional approach to ecological risk management and its limitations.
• Distinguish between document-based and site-based ecological risk management.