Environmental Protection

ISO Quality Assurance certification for Environmental Management: BS EN ISO 14001: 2015.

In a commitment to reaching the highest standards possible in the services we provide, Jim Wilmer & Sons have achieved ISO Quality Assurance Certification on Environmental Management BS EN ISO 14001: 2015, with re-certification audits taking place annually.  

Forest & Water Guidelines 

One of Jim Wilmer & Sons’ main objectives is to make minimal impact to the environment. All of our operators receive regular training on the latest edition of Forest & Water Guidelines. Our site managers make regular site visits to ensure a high standard of work through good working practices is achieved.

Watercourses

When Planning harvesting sites we try to minimize watercourse and drain crossings. Where is is unavoidable, crossings are either piped of log bridged and are well thatched with brash. Machine exclusion zones are implemented between brash mats and watercourses to create buffer zones. In these buffer zones, sump holes and silt netting are used if necessary to prevent water diffuse pollution. We also attend regular update training courses from the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) which refreshes our staff with the correct Forest & Water Guideline Procedures.

Soil Conservation

We also try our upmost to make as little impact to the soil as we possibly can. On sensitive sites we choose to use some of our specialist lightweight machines with floatation tyres and tracks to minimise ground pressure. A short harvesting rack method is also used, leading into main extraction routes. This method utilizes a larch amount of brash at hand to keep the main extraction routes up to standard. All chainsaw lubrication oil used is bio-degradable.

Pollution / Emergency Procedures

We treat pollution very also serious. We have a zero tolerance on litter and oil & fuel spillages. Every machine has an on-board spillage kit and all site safes are equipped with an intensive spillage kit to combat the risk of any fuel or oil spillages as well as waste disposal bags. We also keep a fully stocked container sitting on stand-by at our workshop premises in Dailly for any pollution emergencies.

Wildlife Conservation

Protecting wildlife is of upmost importance to our company.  Before operations start, a wildlife survey is carried out and control measures are put in place such as exclusion zones and badger set procedures.  Any known wildlife is then added to our risk assessment and briefed to all site staff at the site induction.  Throughout our operator all staff are trained on staying vigilant and reporting any wildlife finds immediately to the Forest Works Manager to await further instruction.  Bird perches can be felt on request if required.   

Archaeology 

All archeology is treated with the upmost respect.  Any known features are added to our risk assessments with control measures and briefed to our operators on site induction.  Control measures may include exclusion zones, and felling trees in the opposite direction.   

SEPA Registered Proffessional Collector & Transporter Of Waste

Our company is recognised as a SEPA Registered Professional Collector & Transporter Of Waste.  This allows our company to legally transport and dispose of waste materials.

Waste Disposal

All waste materials and oils are uplifted from site by Field Service Engineers and  Site Managers.  It is then tranported back to our workshop premises and correctly disposed of in the correct tanks and skips ready for uplift.  Apple Oil's remove our companies waste oil and Lowmac remove the majority of waste from our skips.  Tyres are disposed of by McConnachies and Stewartry Tyres.   

Bio-Degradable Chainsaw Oil

All chainsaw oils used in our harvesters are bio-degradable mineral oil.