When to Bring UXO Expertise into a Geotechnical Project Timeline

Knowing that UXO needs managing is only half the picture. The harder question for most geotechnical teams is when to bring UXO expertise into the programme, and getting the timing right is what separates a smooth project from one beset by unexpected stoppages. Early, proportionate involvement reduces the likelihood of costly delays and ensures health and safety obligations are met from the outset.

This guide sets out the three points in a geotechnical project where UXO expertise adds the most value.

When to Involve UXO Specialists

There are three key points in a geotechnical project where UXO expertise is most valuable, each involving a different service so that risk is managed proportionately. For the underlying detail on what each UXO risk assessment involves, see our dedicated guide.

1. Preliminary UXO Risk Assessment – At the Planning Stage

The first opportunity to consider UXO is before intrusive works are scoped. A Preliminary UXO Risk Assessment is a desktop study reviewing historical military records, bombing data, and site history to determine whether a credible risk exists. It is quick to obtain and allows project teams to make informed decisions early. If no risk is identified, works can go ahead with confidence; where a potential risk is highlighted, it can be factored into method statements, budgets, and project planning from the outset, avoiding disruption further down the line.

2. Detailed UXO Risk Assessment – Before Ground Investigation

Where a preliminary study identifies a possible risk, the next step is a Detailed UXO Risk Assessment. This involves deeper analysis of the site’s wartime history, the types of ordnance that could be present, and how the proposed geotechnical works might interact with those risks. The assessment provides proportionate recommendations for managing UXO hazards, giving geotechnical teams a clear, evidence-based picture before drilling, probing, or trial pitting begins. It supports safe methodology choices and compliance with regulations, while providing reassurance to clients and stakeholders.

3. On-Site UXO Support – During Intrusive Works

Even with thorough risk assessments in place, some projects require direct UXO expertise on site. Having a qualified UXO engineer in attendance allows intrusive works to proceed with confidence, knowing immediate support is available if anything suspicious is uncovered. On-site involvement can take the form of a UXO watching brief during trial pitting, UXO borehole support for rotary or percussive drilling, or a standby presence during high-risk phases of ground investigation. This kind of on-site support makes up a substantial share of our monthly deployments, reflecting how closely UXO management and geotechnical works are connected in practice.

Benefits of Early Integration

Engaging UXO expertise early brings advantages that are difficult to achieve once groundworks are underway. The most obvious is safety: protecting the lives of site staff and contractors must always come first. Alongside this comes programme certainty, as projects with clear UXO mitigation in place are far less likely to suffer unexpected stoppages. Cost savings follow naturally, since avoiding emergency callouts and unplanned delays is always more efficient than reacting to problems as they arise. Finally, there is the confidence it gives clients and stakeholders: demonstrating that UXO has been considered shows diligence, professionalism, and compliance with regulations such as the CDM Regulations.

How Brimstone Can Help

Brimstone works with geotechnical teams across the UK to ensure UXO risk is managed proportionately at every stage of a project. The earlier that risk is considered in a programme, the more proportionate and cost-effective the response. Whether you need a rapid-turnaround preliminary risk assessment, a detailed assessment ahead of ground investigation, or on-site engineer support during intrusive works, our aim is the same: to allow geotechnical works to proceed safely, smoothly, and on schedule.

If you are planning geotechnical investigations and would like advice on when to bring UXO expertise into your programme, get in touch to discuss your project.

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