UXO Watching Brief (>50kg / Higher Risk)

Service Description

UXO Watching Brief If your site carries a risk of unexploded ordnance (UXO) — from historic wartime activity or more recent military use — a watching brief is one of the key ways that risk is managed safely during construction or groundworks. As with lower-risk sites, higher risk is not determined by Net Explosive Quantity (NEQ) alone. However, bulk demolition or a single item of ordnance with an NEQ exceeding 50 kg requires an IMAS Level 3+ (or equivalently qualified) EOD engineer. Sites may also present hazards not directly related to explosive content — such as chemical munitions or UXO with hazardous propulsion fuel systems — which require specialised PPE and training beyond standard conventional EOD competence. What is a UXO Watching Brief? A watching brief means a qualified UXO/EOD specialist attends your site during intrusive groundworks — excavation, piling, drilling, or similar — to monitor works as they happen, advise your team in real time, and respond immediately if a suspected item of ordnance is encountered. Rather than a one-off inspection, it's an ongoing presence for as long as the risk profile of the works requires it. Why is it needed? Where a UXO risk assessment identifies a credible risk, industry guidance (CIRIA C681, C785, and — for marine and intertidal works — C754) recommends appropriate mitigation before and during intrusive works. A watching brief is one of the standard, recognised ways of meeting that duty of care, alongside options like non-intrusive survey or full clearance. What's covered: Site induction and toolbox talk on the site-specific UXO risk, based on historic research and the risk assessment What to look out for, and what not to do, if a suspect item is found Continuous monitoring and advice to plant operators and site staff Immediate on-site response if a suspected UXO item is found A clear emergency response procedure, understood by all site personnel Ongoing record-keeping, in line with CIRIA guidance Who it's for: Principal contractors, developers, or site managers whose UXO risk assessment has recommended on-site mitigation — commonly land redevelopment, brownfield sites, and marine or offshore construction with a known ordnance history.