UXO Watching Brief_
In construction and excavation projects, safety is paramount.
A UXO Watching Brief ensures continuous monitoring of ground intrusion activities by a qualified UXO engineer, safeguarding your project from the potentially dangerous consequences of an unexpected UXO encounter.
What is a UXO Watching Brief?
A UXO Watching Brief involves the continuous monitoring of ground intrusion activities by a qualified UXO engineer. They use visual techniques to establish the presence of UXO or items relating to military activity which may inform the possible presence of unexploded ordnance in the surrounding area.
By having a UXO engineer on site who can quickly identify if an item is dangerous or not, you can prevent costly delays from potentially disrupting your project. It also ensures that if the worst does happen and an item is found, it can be dealt with quickly, safely and efficiently.
This safety measure is suitable for a range of projects including excavation work, archaeology projects, reduced digs and trial pits. We find it is a popular UXO risk mitigation option for sites that are not suitable for UXO surveys.
Benefits of a UXO Watching Brief_
Implementing a UXO Watching Brief offers numerous advantages that significantly enhance the safety and efficiency of your project:
By having one of our experienced UXO engineers on site they can immediately identify any suspicious items and start the emergency evacuation procedure if required. On the other hand, if a suspicious item is found that turns out not to be UXO, your work can get back on track promptly. This prevents you from having to wait for police and army EOD units to attend your site to identify an object (something that can take days if they’re particularly busy!)
There’s no UK law that mandates how UXO should be managed before construction, but under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the CDM Regulations 2015, you are legally required to protect your workers and site.
CIRIA C681 provides industry-recognised guidance on how to manage UXO risks, particularly from WWI and WWII aerial bombardment. It outlines a clear process, risk assessment, mitigation, and implementation, which our services follow closely.
Our UXO Watching Briefs are tailored to suit your groundworks. We work closely with your team, support machine operators, and adjust our monitoring based on your site layout and working method. We’ll stay on site for as long as you need us.
What happens if UXO is found_
If our UXO engineer identifies an item of UXO on site, they will immediately notify the site manager and ensure work is stopped. The area will be evacuated, and the engineer will call the police to notify them of the find.
While we have the licenses and capability to dispose of items of ordnance, we usually lean on the resources provided by the police and British military to keep costs as low as possible for our clients. However, if required, Brimstone can dispose of items found on site for clients.
Order a UXO Watching Brief_
By booking a UXO Watching Brief with Brimstone, you benefit from expert supervision, swift response to potential threats, and compliance with industry safety guidelines.
Protect your team and project from unexpected delays and dangers.