Product Overview

Summary: This Safe Operating Procedure sets out a clear, practical framework for protecting wildlife during the construction, operation and maintenance of wind farms in Australia. It helps operators balance renewable energy generation with their WHS duties and environmental obligations, reducing risks to workers, fauna and the business from unmanaged wildlife interactions.

Wind farms operate in diverse Australian environments that are often rich in birdlife, bats and other native fauna. Without a structured approach, wildlife interactions can create serious safety risks for workers (e.g. vehicle collisions, fauna in work areas, biohazards), while also exposing the business to environmental non‑compliance, reputational damage and project delays. This Wind Farm Wildlife Protection SOP provides a step‑by‑step, WHS‑aligned method for planning, conducting and reviewing all site activities with wildlife risk front of mind.

The procedure integrates wildlife protection into everyday site operations, from pre‑start surveys and turbine maintenance through to crane lifts, vegetation management and after‑hours activities. It outlines how to identify and control hazards such as bird and bat strike, nesting on structures, snake encounters, and vehicle‑fauna collisions, while aligning with relevant environmental approvals and biodiversity requirements. By implementing this SOP, wind farm operators can demonstrate due diligence under Australian WHS legislation, support environmental approvals and community expectations, and provide clear guidance to staff and contractors on safe, humane and compliant wildlife management practices.

Key Benefits

• Ensure consistent, defensible processes for managing wildlife risks across construction, commissioning, operation and maintenance phases.
• Reduce the likelihood of worker injury from wildlife encounters, vehicle‑fauna collisions and biohazard exposure on site.
• Demonstrate due diligence with respect to WHS duties and environmental approval conditions, reducing the risk of regulatory action and project delays.
• Integrate wildlife protection measures into daily work planning, toolbox talks and permit‑to‑work systems to improve on‑site decision making.
• Support positive community and stakeholder relations by showing a clear commitment to protecting native fauna while generating clean energy.

Who is this for?

• Wind Farm Operations Managers
• Environmental and Sustainability Managers
• WHS Managers and Advisors
• Site Supervisors and Team Leaders
• Ecologists and Environmental Consultants
• Construction Project Managers (Wind Energy)
• Service Technicians and Maintenance Crews
• HSE Coordinators
• Asset Owners and Facility Managers
• Contractor Managers and Procurement Officers

Hazards Addressed

• Worker injury from snake, spider or other venomous fauna encounters during site access and maintenance activities
• Vehicle‑fauna collisions on access roads, internal tracks and during night driving
• Bird and bat strike risks associated with turbine operation and maintenance activities in high‑use flyways
• Aggressive behaviour from nesting birds or territorial fauna near turbines, substations, laydown areas or buildings
• Biohazards from bird and bat carcasses, droppings and nesting materials on turbines, platforms, ladders and work areas
• Slips, trips and falls caused by animal burrows, droppings or disturbed ground around foundations and cable routes
• Manual handling and ergonomic risks associated with carcass retrieval, monitoring equipment handling and wildlife deterrent installations
• Psychological stress to workers exposed to frequent wildlife incidents or animal mortality without clear procedures

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose, Scope and Objectives
• 2.0 Definitions and Key Terms (Wildlife, Sensitive Species, Encounter Types)
• 3.0 Roles, Responsibilities and Competency Requirements
• 4.0 Planning and Pre‑Construction Wildlife Assessments
• 5.0 Wildlife Risk Assessment and Control Hierarchy
• 6.0 Site Access, Driving and Traffic Management Controls for Wildlife
• 7.0 Wildlife Management During Construction and Heavy Lifting Activities
• 8.0 Operational Controls for Turbine, Substation and Overhead Line Activities
• 9.0 Procedures for Wildlife Encounters, Injured or Dead Fauna
• 10.0 Bird and Bat Monitoring, Carcass Searches and Reporting Protocols
• 11.0 Use of Deterrents, Exclusion Devices and Habitat Management Measures
• 12.0 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and Biosecurity Measures
• 13.0 Emergency Response and Escalation for High‑Risk Wildlife Incidents
• 14.0 Communication, Induction, Training and Toolbox Talk Requirements
• 15.0 Recordkeeping, Reporting, Incident Investigation and Corrective Actions
• 16.0 Interface with Environmental Approvals, Permits and Contractor Management
• 17.0 Review, Audit and Continuous Improvement of Wildlife Protection Measures

Legislation & References

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth) and equivalent state and territory WHS Acts
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011 (Cth) and equivalent state and territory WHS Regulations
• Safe Work Australia – How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks: Code of Practice
• Safe Work Australia – Managing the Work Environment and Facilities: Code of Practice
• Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act)
• Relevant state and territory biodiversity, flora and fauna conservation legislation (e.g. NSW Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016, VIC Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988)
• AS/NZS ISO 14001: Environmental management systems – Requirements with guidance for use
• AS/NZS ISO 45001: Occupational health and safety management systems – Requirements with guidance for use
• Clean Energy Council – Best Practice Guidelines for Wind Farm Wildlife and Environmental Management (where applicable)