QSHE

Ocean Ecology first achieved ISO 9001, 14001 and 45001 certifications (for quality, for environmental management and for health and safety at work respectively) in 2023 and they have since been renewed.

In 2019, we achieved ‘Green Flag Status’ from Avetta, a leader in supply chain risk management with regards to Health and Safety, Quality Control and Employee Qualification and Management.

We endeavour to maintain a culture where safety is seen as an equal to all other objectives.

Our Health and Safety Manager was awarded a National General Certificate in Health and Safety training by the National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health (NEBOSH) in 2020. He, along with our health and safety consultant, oversees all our HSE systems.

They ensure we not only remain compliant with all regulations but also surpass the minimum HSE expectations of our clients.

We have also developed several policies focused on the wellbeing of staff. Among them are: [Amy and Robyn to suggest those we should mention - SN]

Accreditations and affiliations

• Our laboratories participate in the NE Atlantic Marine Biological Quality Control (NMBAQC) scheme for macrobenthic invertebrate, particle size analysis (PSA), fish and zooplankton, in line with the industry’s best practice.
• Our sediment laboratory is one of the few in the UK validated by the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) to conduct particle size analysis (PSA) for informing marine licence applications.
• All our laboratory data is recorded, quality assured, stored and exported via our proprietary web-based data management platform ABACUS.
• This was developed specifically to ensure our data is recorded and managed in compliance with nationally and internationally recognised data standards (eg MEDIN) and industry recognised best practice guidelines (eg NMBAQC).

• Several field scientists hold commercially endorsed power boat qualifications.
• All our drone pilots hold specialist qualifications gained through Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) pilot training.
• We are also holders of a Permission for Commercial Operations (PfCO) granted by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) permitting us to conduct commercial UAV work.
• Our Marine Mammal Observers (MMO) are all JNCC-certified. Many are members or committee members of the Marine Mammal Observer Association (MMOA). And as a business, we sponsor the Marine Mammal Observers Association.
• Several of our Consultants are affiliated to the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science & Technology (IMarEST) as Members, Chartered Scientists or Chartered Marine Scientists.
• Our field personnel all hold all industry standard offshore safety qualifications and medical certificates (BOSIET, STCW95, ENG1 and OGUK) meaning they are trained to internationally recognised standards.