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What is UXO Support?
If a risk has been identified on your project following a UXO Risk Assessment, it may not always be practical to undertake proactive UXO detection and target investigation due to ground conditions or project constraints.
An alternative option is for an UXO operative to supervise works such as open excavations, in this scenario the UXO operative will carry out a visual assessment on any suspicious items uncovered during excavation works – and make sure appropriate action is taken if the item is identified as UXO.
Drawn from the Army, Air Force and the Navy, our UXO operatives will visit your site to investigate and minimise the risk from UXO to as low as reasonably practicable (ALARP) – in-line with Stage 4 of our UXO Risk Mitigation Strategy.
If a risk from UXO contamination has been identified, 1st Line Defence can provide a dedicated EOD operative to oversee any intrusive ground works, and we can also undertake a ground sampling exercise to better understand the extent of the contamination on-site.
Whatever your needs or requirements, you will be in safe hands.
Looking for more information about UXO Support services?
UXO Watching Brief
Borehole Support
UXO Search & Clear
UXO Watching Brief
Our certified UXO Engineers work closely with the machine operator or ground worker to make sure that excavations are carried out in a controlled manner, and to provide an immediate response to any suspect or suspicious items that are encountered.
If any items are discovered, they can be immediately assessed, identified and removed by one of our UXO Specialists.
We can also provide safety briefings for new groundsmen and personnel joining the project.
UXO Borehole Support
We offer support during the Boreholes and Window sample stages of ground works.
If a risk from deep buried unexploded bombs (UXBs) has been identified on a project, and ground investigation works such as Boreholes or Window samples are planned – a manual ‘down-hole’ magnetometer survey can be carried out by our UXO Specialists to make sure no UXBs are encountered at depth.
UXO Search & Clear
For certain project locations, we can deploy a team of UXO Specialists armed with handheld detection equipment to systematically search and clear items of ordnance from the site location.
This type of service is well suited for ex-military land, for example training ranges or terrain where a Non-intrusive UXO Survey would not be feasible due to access restrictions or unsuitable ground conditions.
Useful tip: We can only detect UXO at relatively shallow depths with this service, and it is only suitable for ground which is free from background extraneous ferrous contamination (for example: a wooded area, on a military range, or other open ‘clean’ land.)
Explore our Case Studies
Case Study – Nottinghamshire
Case Study – Liverpool Docks, Bootle
Case Study – Full Sutton, Yorkshire
Case Study – Loch Rannoch, Scotland
Frequently Asked Questions
Browse the most commonly asked UXO Support questions or contact us directly for more information
To enable 1st Line Defence to provide an accurate quote for UXO Support we need to get a better understanding of any planned intrusive ground works on your site. To discuss your project and how we can support you, call us on +44 (0) 1992 245020, email info@1stlinedefence.co.uk or use our contact form and one of the team will get in touch.
If a suspected item of UXO or a UXB is discovered by our UXO Specialists on-site, they will implement set incident management procedures to make sure the item is dealt with safely and appropriately. This will depend on factors such as the nature of the item, its condition, its depth, the location it is found and whether is it live or inert. 1st Line Defence can dispose of the item or will arrange for its disposal / removal so that works can resume as quickly as possible.
If a viable risk from UXO has been identified on your site (for example from a Detailed UXO Risk Assessment), UXO Support is one of several risk mitigation measures that can help reduce the risk to as low as reasonably practicable (ALARP). Our team can help ascertain the most appropriate type of support or survey for your specific site and works based on factors such as ground conditions, scope of works, terrain and ground cover.
To order and book UXO Support for your site, call us on +44 (0) 1992 245020, email info@1stlinedefence.co.uk or visit our contact page and we will get in touch ASAP to discuss your requirements.
Our initial procedure for dealing with suspect items of UXO is based on the ‘4C’ protocol:
- Confirm – Identify and establish the presence of a device
- Clear – Evacuate the area
- Cordon – Set up an appropriate cordon
- Control – Control the incident prior to removal / disposal
Yes – where required, 1st Line Defence have the expertise and equipment to deal with most types of commonly encountered UXO. Contact our team to find out more about our disposal services.
1st Line Defence UXO Support is a service that refers to a UXO Specialist attending site to undertake one of a number of different UXO risk mitigation measures:
- UXO Watching Brief for open excavations
- UXO Borehole Support
- UXO Search & Clear
The type of support recommended will depend on factors such as the level and nature of the UXO risk, ground conditions and the scope of proposed works – contact us to find out more. UXO Support differs from a UXO Survey because it is a two-stage process and uses different methodology (data collection / interpretation followed by a physical target investigation).
Not sure what UXO Support service you require?
Contact us if you need more information or have any questions, our team are happy to help and guide you through the process.
