UXO Services was directly appointed by the groundworks contractor to provide specialist UXO support during intrusive groundworks at a classified site. Delivered over six working days, the commission combined excavation monitoring, UXO awareness briefings and an immediate response capability should suspected ordnance be encountered. The client and precise location are withheld for confidentiality.
Scope of Works
The Challenge
The works required excavation in an area where a potential UXO threat had been identified. Close coordination between the UXOS engineer, groundworkers and site management was essential to support the works and respond promptly to any suspicious discovery.
Our Approach
UXOS prepared a project-specific method statement and deployed a dedicated UXO engineer to support the excavation team. The support included:
UXO awareness and safety briefings for site personnel. Instrument checks of the excavation area before ground disturbance. Watching brief coverage during excavation. Liaison with the contractor and site management. Daily reporting and incident documentation.
Ordnance Discovery & Response
During trench excavation, a 3-inch chemical Stokes mortar with a suspected chemical filling was encountered. Works stopped in the affected area, a cordon was established and site management was informed. Police attended, followed by EOD personnel, who subsequently carried out a controlled detonation on site. UXOS supported the incident response through liaison and documented the discovery and handover.
Project Outcome
Groundworks continued following the discovery, with UXOS providing six working days of support across the commission. The project demonstrates the value of having specialist UXO support integrated into the groundworks team: recognising a potential threat, initiating the agreed response and supporting coordination with the relevant authorities.
