UXO procedures - writing some for my company

[TWDB]

Hi All, and Happy Easter

I'm tasked with writing some procedures fro UXO in terms of what to do when a UXO is discovered on one of our sites (in ground or already excavated)

I was wondering if any one had any good information sources , and or example procedures or even a flow chart " on discovering a UXO" you must do this.

any tips would be great

thanks
T

[WillPool]

Sorry I dont have any examples of procedure or flowcharts to hand but I would advise:

Do not touch
Evacuate
Secure/cordon area
Phone emergency services
Ensure exclusion zone is large enough to deal with possible detonation (and/or controlled explosion)


When I was in the army we had a member of the public bring to the guard room an unexploded German stick grenade (steilhandgranate) which they found whilst digging up their allotment. They dropped it onto the counter and then explained what it was.

We then had to evacuate the guard-room, close off all entry/exit to camp until 'bomb-disposal' turned up and carried out a controlled explosion. (4 hours later we re-opened the gates to camp but the guardroom took a bit of cleaning and sorting out afterwards )

Will

[bernicarey]

Well there is a fair bit of info out there, but in most cases you have to be subscribed to a professional Construction Website/Body to get access.
You will find a lot of documents relating to CIRIA, the construction industry research and information association.
E.G.
https://www.ciria.org/ItemDetail?iProdu ... y=DOWNLOAD
Unexploded ordnance (UXO) A guide for the construction industry (C681D)
Though, to be quite honest, it's a bit of a rip off, because according to their website, the Book will cost you £110, but the pdf will cost £132!!

There's lots of documents/websites out there such as this one, and if you're in the excavating side of the Construction Industry, I'm concerned that your company isn't up to speed with the whole topic already.
https://kok-surveyors.co.uk/ciria-unexp ... r-cdm2015/

[witsd]

I know absolutely nothing about this subject, but it seems to me that there should be a step or two prior to 'discovery'.

Presumably some areas are considered lower or higher risk than others, and perhaps differing methodologies might be employed in the higher risk areas?

[bernicarey]

I know absolutely nothing about this subject, but it seems to me that there should be a step or two prior to 'discovery'.

Presumably some areas are considered lower or higher risk than others, and perhaps differing methodologies might be employed in the higher risk areas?

That's pretty much the point I was making.
If you look at the final link I provided, the introduction there states:

In July 2009, CIRIA published a guidance document after extensive discussion with UXO specialists and other stakeholders, entitled “Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) ”“ A Guide for the Construction Industry (C681)”. The aim of the document was to provide the UK construction industry with set guidance and a defined process for the management of risks associated with UXO from WWI and WWII aerial bombardment. It is also broadly applicable to the risks from other forms of UXO that might be encountered. It focuses on the needs of the construction professional if there is a suspected UXO on site and covers issues such as what to expect from a UXO specialist.

The potential risk of uncovering UXO is a key consideration for anyone developing a site in the UK. Significant areas of the UK remain contaminated with UXO arising from a variety of sources including military training, wartime bombing and munitions manufacturing or storage.

Hence why I voiced a concern that TWDB was asking the question....

[TWDB]

Thanks all,

we are well up on the Risk assessment and assessment of sites in terms of UXO, and have procedures to do this before bucket goes in the ground.
and we have historically used a approved UXO subcontractor to provide briefings and a watching brief on sites.

The area I am looking to update and improve is what to do when a UXO is discovered or potentially discovered.
so looking from the discovery stage onwards .
which I as I've investigated the steps of - detailing the following steps

Do not touch
Evacuate
Secure/cordon area
Phone emergency services
Ensure exclusion zone is large enough to deal with possible detonation (and/or controlled explosion)
or
Actions to take if you find a UXO are the 3 Rs: Recognize, Retreat and Report it.
• Recognize — If you think you have found some UXO.
• Retreat — Do not approach it, touch it or move it.
• Report it — Immediately to an adult, teacher or local police, and try to remember where you saw it and what it looked like.
More often than not, it could be rusted, broken, half buried, be found alone or in groups. It is still dangerous and could harm you.

any thoughts are appreciated.

T

[bernicarey]

Ah Ha
So it sounds like you're complying with all the umpteen pages of the C681...
Of course, I've not seen a copy since they want so much for it. but I am astounded that having charged an Arm and a Leg for it, they haven't added an Appendix at the end giving the info you're looking for.
It's a bit like a Baker making a personal Birthday Cake and missing out the recipient's name....

Oddly enough, decent official UK advice, other than 'Don't Touch It' is quite hard to find. Try searching for UXO on Gov.UK or any local Police websites and you're out of luck.
Other Nations/States/Provinces seem to be far more obliging in publishing info, but basically, the list is:

If a suspect UXO item is found -
DO NOT PANIC.
DO NOT TOUCH, disturb or tamper with the item in any way. This includes making any attempt to move the item to a 'safe' location.
Carefully note the appearance of the item and the location. Take a photograph if it is possible to do so without further approaching or disturbing the item.
If possible, mark the location so that it can be found later. Coloured tape or paint make easily recognised marker material. Note the route to the item.
Inform the property owner, park ranger, prime contractor, site foreman or supervisor of the find.
Inform the Police that a possible ordnance item has been found; they will instigate a request for Defence personnel to attend and investigate the item.

It's a fact that nobody in the UK has been hurt by a WWII UXO since 1956, and you don't want to go closing down the site just because the excavator has unearthed an old Victorian zinc bucket or bath, or perhaps even a section of drain pipe, so the biggest risk is in how you make the initial decision that it is a 'Suspect' item...

[Woodie]

Aim to keep it simple, and you have pretty much nailed the procedure with Berni`s information, should you require further information just let me know as I have 25yrs explosive experience.