Emergency Response

What should I do if I find a suspicious object on site?

  • Stop all work immediately.

  • Withdraw to a safe distance (minimum 100 m).

  • Do not touch or move the object.

  • Call 999 and report a suspected UXO.

  • If safe, switch off nearby machinery. Always treat any UXO as live and dangerous.

Risk & Stability

Q: What if I’ve already disturbed or unearthed something?
  • In most cases, no incident occurs (but always follow emergency protocols) as the impact on the device has already happened
  • So refer to the previous question for procedures to carry out (as the device may have a time delay etc).
  • The only other risk is with people’s curiosity getting the better of them.
Q: Could a buried bomb spontaneously detonate?
  • No, not without any outside interference like - 
  • Heat
  • Impact                  
  • Friction,                  
  • after all its been in the ground for 80 years+ without detonation.
  • But fuze components may be degraded and more sensitive.

Mitigation Options

Q: Is there an alternative to a full UXO survey?
  • Yes. A qualified UXO specialist can be present during ground-breaking operations to scan areas and brief your team. (This is not suitable during piling, where a full pre-work survey is strongly recommended due to depth concerns). 
Q: What is the Abandoned Bomb Register?

A government-maintained record based on historical reports (e.g., from ARP wardens or police). It helps identify known bomb locations—but it is not exhaustive.

Q: Should I conduct a desktop study on every project?

Not always. If risk is unclear or local knowledge indicates past military use, a desktop study is recommended. We always suggest an abandoned bomb register search for thoroughness. 

Legal Obligations

Q: Am I legally required to address potential UXO?

Yes. Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015, you have a legal duty of care to mitigate UXO risks before works commence

Value of a UXO Watch & Brief

Q: Isn’t a UXO “watch and brief” just another cost?

Far from it. Engaging a specialist on-site can help avoid misidentification, emergency downtime, and staffing costs—saving potentially hundreds of thousands of pounds per day in large projects.

Risk Zones

Q: Where are the highest UXO risks?
  • The Luftwaffe targeted known infrastructure during WWI & WWII, most commonly:
  • Industrial areas                  
  • power plants                  
  • MOD sites                  
  • Naval areas                  
  • Docklands                  
  • Major cities                  
  • But as well as the risk from those, we also have to consider the allied threats, these can come from:
  • Coastal defences                  
  • Training areas                  
  • Ex-MOD bases                  
  • Anti-aircraft batteries                  
  • Former and current airfields                  
  • The above lists are not exhaustive and are an example of risks only!

Still have Questions?


Please contact us—we’re here to help you understand your options and reduce uncertainty: 

Email: help@uxos.uk
Phone: 07916 422 388