Bats and roost risk management in construction refresher

Duration

Refresher is 50% of 6 hours = 3 hours

If e-learning only, the duration is to be at least 50% of this

Purpose/scope

The purpose of this standard is to provide the knowledge and skills to the learners including but not limited to; builders, surveyors, architects, estate and project managers who are responsible for buildings and their renovation, development, maintenance, demolition, design and management.

Scope:

• bat biology and ecology
• bats in buildings: where when, which bats, evidence of bats
• taking account of bats, including legislation
• fieldwork
• best practice and case studies

Learner pre-requisites

There are no learner pre-requisites as part of this standard

Instruction/ supervision

As a minimum, course trainers must be able to demonstrate that, in relation to this standard, they have:

• survey class licence level 2 (England) or equivalent for the devolved nations
• an award in education and training (or equivalent, as per requirements for approved training organisations)
• at least 2 years industrial experience relevant to the scope of the standard
• a verifiable CV

Delivery

All materials and equipment must be of a suitable quality and quantity for learners to achieve learning outcomes and must comply with relevant legislation

The learning environment, class size and learner/trainer ratio must allow training to be delivered in a safe manner and enable learners to achieve the learning outcomes

The following delivery methods may be used in the delivery of this standard:

• face to face learning environment only and fieldwork (such as classroom/workshop etc.)
• e-learning only (independent learning using an on-line platform)
• remote only (guided learning on-line) and fieldwork
• a blend of face to face, remote and fieldwork
• a blend of face to face and e-learning
• a blend of remote and e-learning

This standard is predominantly theoretical training

This standard is considered to be set at an entry level

Assessment

Informally Assessed

For the successful completion of training, the trainer must be satisfied that the learner has achieved all learning outcomes by:

• multiple choice polling quizzes at the end of each learning outcome
• observed oral presentations / briefings
• scenarios and case studies of realistic working environments

Quality assurance

Assured

Quality assurance against this standard will require initial approval of the training organisation and their content mapped to the standard.
CITB will also conduct an approval intervention, either desk-based or centre visit, to ensure the training organisation can meet the requirements of the training standard.
Approved training organisations (ATOs) will be required to present information on records of training and assessment upon request to CITB for desk-based analysis. They will also be visited annually by the CITB quality assurance team.

Renewal 

Renewal every 5 years

Classification

Mandatory Renewal

Learning outcomes to be refreshed

The learner will be able to:

a. identify, by visual inspection, any features in buildings that could be a potential bat roost site

Delivery guidance:

The following must be included:

• define what is a roost:
  
  • define natural historic roosts and why they are no longer available
  • describe cave roosts
  • describe tree roosts
• state where bats roost and their preferences
• describe what bats need from a roost site
• describe places that bats may use in buildings
• describe building features suitable for bat roosting using examples:
  
  • identify loose tiles
  • identify holes in walls
  • identify gaps around door and window frames
  • identify roof voids
  • identify cavity walls
• define how and when bats use buildings including crevice and void dwelling

Assessment criteria:

• fieldwork highlighting suitable features in chosen built structure
• describe in fieldwork presentation why the feature is suitable and what for
• description in fieldwork presentation when bats would be using the feature

Assessment specification:

• demonstrate during multiple choice polling quiz understanding of suitable features, species using them, when the features are used and what for

b. identify the signs to look for that would indicate bat use and roosting in a building

Delivery guidance:

The following must be included:

• outline when bats use buildings
• recognise signs of bat presence:
  
  • identify the physical presence of bats
  • identify bat droppings as opposed to rodent droppings
  • identify feeding remains
  • identify staining around possible entry and exit points
• state - any building is a potential roost site
• state – lack of signs does not mean lack of bats and why bats are difficult to detect so require specialist knowledge

Assessment criteria:

• description in fieldwork presentation when bats would be using the feature
• describe in fieldwork what signs would be looked for externally
• describe in fieldwork what might be found inside a building and where

Assessment specification:

• demonstrate during multiple choice polling quiz understanding of suitable features, species using them and what signs could be present, but could also be no signs and specialists may be required

c. name UK species of bats which prefer to roost in buildings and where they are commonly found

Delivery guidance:

The following must be included:

• define which bats use-built structures to roost and why
• describe the 17 species breeding in Britain
• state the roost preferences – summer and winter

Assessment criteria:

• description in fieldwork presentation what bat species could be using the feature
• describe in fieldwork what species might be found using a building and when during the season related to winter and summer roosting requirements

Assessment specification:

• demonstrate during multiple choice polling quiz understanding of seasonality of roost requirements
• demonstrate during multiple choice assessment an understanding of the range of species and how this relates to roosting behaviour and choice of roost

d. summarise the life cycle of bats in the UK

Delivery guidance:

The following must be included:

• recite the bats year in the UK:
  
  • hibernation activity in mid-winter
  • becoming more active
  • maternity, babies born
  • mating and swarming
• state – vulnerability in key periods such as maternity and hibernation

Assessment criteria:

• description in fieldwork presentation when bats could be using the feature and why
• describe in fieldwork what roosts might be found in a building and when during the season related to winter and summer roosting requirements
• highlight periods of vulnerability relating to maternity and hibernation periods

Assessment specification:

• demonstrate during multiple choice polling quiz understanding of seasonality of roost requirements and vulnerability of bats during maternity and hibernation periods

e. describe the best time of year for carrying out works in relation to the bat calendar

Delivery guidance:

The following must be included:

• state the timing of works in relation to bat calendar
• describe what work can affect bats in buildings:
  
  • building alteration or maintenance work
  • insulation activities – cavity wall and loft insulation
  • re-roofing, rewiring, or plumbing in roof spaces
  • remedial timber work treatment works
  • treatment of wasps, bees, or cluster flies
  • addition of non-bitumen coated roofing membranes
  • addition or maintenance of solar panels
  • building demolition
• list the type of evidence gathered prior to work:
  
  • record of bats in existence
  • check external faces for droppings
  • check ridge beams and gaps under tiles/lead flashings
  • check loft/roof spaces for evidence of droppings:
    
    • under the ridge
    • around chimney
    • around eaves
• define a bat survey

Assessment criteria:

• describe in fieldwork what signs would be looked for externally
• describe in fieldwork what might be found inside a building and where
• describe where and when bats could be present and how works relevant to their role could impact bats

Assessment specification:

• demonstrate during multiple choice polling quiz understanding of suitable features, species using them and what signs could be present, but could also be no signs and specialists may be required

f. describe what to do when bat potential is identified and how to contact appropriate specialists for assistance

Delivery guidance:

The following must be included:

• state that all works must be stopped immediately
• outline the recognised reporting procedures:
  
  • contact your line manager
  • contact ecologist attached to the project
  • where appropriate, contact the Bat Conservation Trust’s National Bat Helpline
• describe what advice to seek
• state that works must not restart until authorised to do so

Assessment criteria:

• describe in fieldwork task where and when bats could be present and how works relevant to their role could impact bats
• describe in fieldwork the actions to take if bats are found and reflect their own risk management and due diligence reporting systems

Assessment specification:

• demonstrate during multiple choice polling quiz understanding of when a specialist may be required and working systems to protect bats and workers themselves

g. identify the consequences of acting without due consideration when carrying out works on buildings which result in bat and roost destruction or disturbance

Delivery guidance:
The following must be covered:

• define the law surrounding bats
• define why bats are important to protect including bio-indicator species showing healthy environments and link to benefits to humans
• list and describe the following acts:
  
  • the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981
  • the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 (as amended)
  • the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000
  • the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006
  • the Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004
  • the Wildlife NI Order 1985 (as amended)
  • the Nature Conservation and Amenity Lands (NI) Order 1985 (as amended)
  • the Conservation (natural habitats etc.) Regulations (NI) 1995 (as amended)
  • the Environmental (Northern Ireland) Order 2002
• define what an offence means in practice
• state the penalties associated to an offence

Assessment criteria:

• describe in fieldwork actions to take if bats are found and reflect their own risk management and due diligence reporting systems

Assessment specification:

• demonstrate during multiple choice polling quiz understanding of legal protection of bats, why this is required and how bats and people working on buildings are protected through due diligence and risk assessments processes including reporting systems
• demonstrate understanding during multiple choice quiz the reason why bats are legally protected including their importance to the ecosystem including humans and a need to safeguard people against offences

Additional information about this standard

• BCT (Bat Conservation www.bats.org.uk/
• Natural England www.gov.uk/guidance/bats-advice-for-making-planning-decisions
• Wildlife Assessment Check www.biodiversityinplanning.org/wildlife-assessment-check