How To Avoid A UXO Incident
In 2022, Brimstone UXO cleared 49 tonnes of unexploded ordnance (UXO) from sites across the UK. Each of these devices had the potential to cause serious injury, loss of life, and extensive property damage – risks that were only avoided through professional UXO risk management and clearance.
Despite the large volume of UXO still being uncovered, no fatalities have occurred in the UK due to UXO incidents in recent years. However, that doesn’t mean the threat isn’t real. To help keep it that way, it’s essential that developers, contractors, and landowners take the necessary precautions to reduce the risk of a UXO incident on their sites.
The hidden danger: why UXO still poses a risk today
Many parts of the UK are classified as having a low UXO risk, but low risk does not mean no risk. During the Second World War, an estimated 10% of bombs failed to detonate, leaving behind thousands of live, buried devices. Added to this are UXO from military training sites, testing ranges, and munitions factories, as well as discarded or forgotten allied ordnance.
For example, in Great Yarmouth in 2023, a 250kg German WWII bomb was discovered near two gas pipes during construction. Army specialists attempted to safely dispose of it using a controlled detonation technique, but the device functioned unexpectedly. The blast:
- Damaged flood walls and nearby scaffolding.
- Shattered car windows and shook buildings 15 miles away.
- Forced evacuations and caused major disruption to infrastructure and construction projects.
Although no one was harmed, the incident highlights how UXO can lie dormant for decades before being disturbed by excavation or construction activities – proving that UXO risk should never be underestimated.
How to minimise UXO risk on your site
The good news is that there are effective, low-cost measures available to mitigate UXO risks before starting any project. By following industry best practices, you can safeguard your team, protect your project timeline, and avoid costly delays or evacuations.
UXO Risk Assessments: your first step in UXO risk mitigation
Before any groundworks begin, conducting a UXO risk assessment is essential. This process evaluates the likelihood of encountering UXO based on the site’s historical and geographical context. At Brimstone UXO, we offer two types of assessments:
Preliminary UXO Risk Assessment:
- A fast, cost-effective initial assessment.
- Delivered within 24-48 hours, even though we never use automated systems.
- Determines if further, in-depth research is necessary.
Detailed UXO Risk Assessment:
- A comprehensive analysis for higher-risk sites, including former military land or areas with a potential UXO presence identified in a preliminary assessment.
- Examines historical bombing records, ground conditions, and the likelihood of UXO penetration depth.
- Provides tailored recommendations for mitigation measures.
UXO Surveys: pinpointing potential threats
If the risk assessment identifies a potential UXO hazard, the next step might be to survey the site. UXO surveys detect buried ferrous objects and help confirm whether UXO is present. We offer two key types of UXO surveys:
Intrusive UXO Surveys:
- Designed for detecting deep-buried UXO on brownfield land or areas with made ground.
- Ideal for pre-piling clearance or ahead of borehole works.
- Uses Cone Penetration Testing (CPT) rigs with magnetometer probes to detect and map anomalies below the surface.
- Reaches depths of up to 30m, ensuring comprehensive coverage.
Non-Intrusive UXO Surveys:
- Suitable for greenfield sites or areas where surface clearance is required.
- Detects shallow-buried UXO using towed, pushed, or aerial magnetometry methods.
- No ground disturbance required, making it a faster, lower-impact option.
Ground Investigations: ensuring safe excavations
Depending on your proposed works, we might recommend on-site support for your ground investigations. Brimstone offers several different services in this area:
UXO Watching Brief:
- Supervised excavation with a Brimstone UXO engineer on site.
- Used during trial pits, reduced digs, or trenching.
- Engineers actively monitor and respond to any UXO finds.
UXO Search and Clear:
- Systematic clearance of open areas using handheld magnetometers.
- Detected objects are marked, logged, and excavated as they are found.
- Suitable for large-scale or ex-military sites where thorough clearance is required.
UXO Borehole Support:
- Essential for projects involving deep ground penetration.
- Engineers use a downhole magnetometer probe to clear the borehole at regular depth intervals.
- Ensures safe drilling operations without the risk of hitting buried ordnance.
What to Do If You Discover UXO On-Site
If you encounter a suspicious object during construction, stop work immediately and follow these steps:
- Do not touch, move, or disturb the object.
- Mark the location clearly but at a safe distance.
- Evacuate the area and inform your site manager.
- Contact the police and follow their instructions.
Why choose Brimstone UXO?
As the fastest-growing UXO risk management company in the UK, Brimstone UXO provides expert support for all stages of your project – from risk assessments and surveys to on-site support and disposal. Our team of highly trained engineers, many of whom have military EOD experience, ensures your site is safe, compliant, and disruption-free.
We work with clients across the construction, infrastructure, energy, and defence sectors, delivering rapid and reliable UXO solutions.
Next steps: protect your project from UXO risks
Don’t take chances with UXO – get in touch with Brimstone UXO today. Whether you need a risk assessment, survey, or full clearance service, we’re here to help.
- Explore our services on our website.
- Use our online tool to find the right service for your project.
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