• Commission a badger survey before starting works in rural or edge-of-town locations
• Establish and clearly mark exclusion zones around all identified badger setts
• Apply to Natural England for a licence if works will disturb or close a sett
• Brief all site personnel on the location of setts and the legal protection in place
• Stop work and contact the ecological advisor if a new sett is discovered during works
• Use an ecological clerk of works to supervise activities near confirmed setts
• Avoid night working near setts as badgers are most active after dark
• Keep heavy plant and vibration-generating activities outside the exclusion zone
• Maintain fencing around exclusion zones for the full duration of the project
• Report any evidence of badger activity such as latrines, paths, or fresh digging

• DON'T excavate, drive plant, or store materials within 30 metres of an active sett
• DON'T block or obstruct any badger sett entrance with soil, materials, or equipment
• DON'T carry out noisy or vibration-heavy work near setts without ecological advice
• DON'T assume a sett is abandoned — badgers reoccupy setts seasonally
• DON'T proceed with works near setts without a valid Natural England licence
• DON'T remove or relocate badger fencing or exclusion zone markers
• DON'T use lighting that illuminates sett entrances during night working operations
• DON'T ignore newly dug holes or paths on site — they may indicate badger activity
• DON'T attempt to handle, trap, or move badgers without specialist licensed assistance
• DON'T allow dogs onto site areas where badger setts have been identified

See also: Protected Species Awareness | Ecological Clerk of Works Role