Phlorum is accredited to the ISO 9001 and 14001 systems and thus have quality and environmental management systems, as well as a new health and safety management system (pending accreditation), in place. Phlorum is also currently working on a project to combine these management systems into one integrated management system.

In relation to the operation of these systems and our continuing commitment to them and our accreditation to the ISO standards, Phlorum undergoes regular external audits by LRQA.

Good news! Phlorum has just passed an external audit of the environmental management system and remains accredited to ISO 14001

Further details on the systems are located here.

It’s often interesting what you can find from digging around brownfield sites. Recent excavations by Phlorum at a site near Woolwich uncovered a stash (over 1,600!) of odd looking bullets. They were dated 1916 and the tips were identified as containing an incendiary material (perhaps to counter zeppelin attacks during WWI). Previous uses of the site included a long history as a military range and the siting of two anti-aircraft guns during WWII. Needless to say the Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) risk was assessed as being very high! Other finds included anti-aircraft shells and a cannonball (indicating just how far back the site was used by the military!). All finds were identified and handled by military trained staff from EOD Contracts Ltd.

After a number of romantic gestures that shame most of us mere mortal males, Richard has proposed to his Scandinavian love, Linda, and they are to be married soon(ish).

Linda accepted her engagement ring at the Icehotel in the village of Jukkasjärvi, 200 kilometres north of the Arctic Circle in Sweden.

Paul was thankful for recent quick action by McDonalds staff in Thamesmead. After leaving his wallet in their branch, they found it and stored it safely until it was collected by Paul later, when he realised his absent-minded mistake.

Paul has written to the store manager thanking the employee whose swift action prevented a potentially difficult and annoying situation. He has recommended that they should become employee of the month!

A project to move orchids and other threatened species has been involving Phlorum staff in Lancashire. An ecological survey of a brownfield site in Knowsley revealed a selection of notable plant species including marsh and bee orchids, twayblade and marsh helleborine. These needed to be moved before they disappeared from a declining and neglected site.

Phlorum found a suitable new home for the valuable vegetation at nearby Knowsley Safari Park, where staff are keen to improve the ecological value of their site. The site will be monitored under a long term ecological management plan. With this in place, it is hoped that these important species will thrive and be enjoyed by the public at their new home.

Phlorum has been asked to look into ways of protecting common toads as they migrate to spawn. The toads are part of Britain’s third largest colony, and every year, in early spring, hundreds emerge from hibernation to make the hazardous journey along the lanes of Croyde in North Devon to spawn in local ponds.

Local conservation groups fear that the likelihood of a dramatic increase in the number of cars using the narrow lane which forms part of the toads’ migration route poses a grave threat to the amphibians. More cars, it is feared, will lead to fewer toads surviving the migration.

Common toads are no longer so common and have been added to the National Biodiversity Action Plan species list in an attempt to increase their protection and reverse the worrying population decline. Phlorum hopes to be able to offer advice that will protect these threatened amphibians and help them to reach their ponds to spawn in safety.