Definition
Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) is a term that covers all munitions that have been fired or laid and have failed to function and includes all types of mines and misfired ammunition.
Abandoned Explosive Ordnance (AXO) are munitions which have not been fired but have been abandoned or lost.
These definitions, as does this entire article, applies equally to UXO and AXO in both onshore and offshore environments.
TRLtd philosophy
UXO Risk Management is a Duty of Care function that provides tangible assurance that risks from UXO / AXO are reduced to As Low as Reasonably Practicable (ALARP).
Remediation techniques, where required, should be in accordance with:
- The Best Available Technique Not Entailing Excessive Cost (BACNEEC) principle.
- International Mine Action Standards (IMAS).
- A Quality Management System (QMS) based upon the principles of ISO 9001:2000.
UXO contamination in perspective
In the context of contamination, there are both similarities and differences compared with conventional contamination:
Similarities
Contamination can occur on the surface or sub-surface often in discrete areas or pockets e.g. target areas, burial areas and trenches. In pits or trenches 100% remediation can be achieved but in the case of former military training areas or combat zones the UXO density (contamination level) decreases with distance from the centre of activity. As with traditional contaminants it is often technically impossible and economically unviable to remediate UXO contamination levels to zero.
Differences
UXO are individual and often robust items that can remain in a functional condition on the surface or sub-surface for many years. The potential routes to risk exposure differs from conventional contaminants, as they will not pass through the food chain, pollute ground water or release toxic vapours. The exposure to UXO risk involves the direct interaction between man or machine interacting with the UXO.
Risk
The risk resulting from a UXO incident is one of immediate physical trauma rather than long term health risks. The trauma involves fragmentation, blast, heat and shock. The consequences of the exposure to UXO more closely resemble accidental injuries e.g. traffic accidents, aircraft crashes etc.
The severity of injuries in close proximity to a UXO can range from immediate death to the loss of limbs, sight, burns and puncture wounds. The severity of the injuries is directly related to the type of UXO involved and the proximity and orientation of the victim to the event.
The unexpected encountering of UXO during construction or exploration activity can have a severe negative impact upon schedules, budgets and corporate reputation.
UXO Risk Assessment Process
There are also similarities in unexploded ordnance risk assessment process when compared with conventional contamination. These can include; desktop survey, site visits and a sampling programme to determine areas and levels of contamination. UXO geophysical sampling procedures are based on representative sampling rather than point-source measurements.
The aggregated data from the desktop survey, site visit and sampling programme (where required) will define the risk and also provides the outline requirements of the remediation solution.
Recognised International Standards
Both the risk and consequences of exposure to UXO risks are normally poorly understood by policy makers and stakeholders involved. The lack of international standards before 2001 had been a significant obstacle to the effective execution of UXO programmes in both the humanitarian and commercial programmes.
International Mine Action Standards (IMAS), introduced in 2001, were developed on behalf on the UN during a two-year period and included participation by technical committees, international organisations, governmental bodies and NGO's.
Whilst principally aimed at humanitarian demining, IMAS has successfully been applied to commercial UXO remediation programmes in both onshore and offshore environments.
IMAS provides the foundation for effective UXO remediation management that offers tangible and auditable results in which stakeholders will have confidence.
TRLtd methodology
A simplified version of the TRLtd UXO risk management process is:
Residual risk management
The UXO remediation processes cannot guarantee that the land is totally free from UXO and this fact is recognised in IMAS. The implementation of a risk management process as described above can mitigate the risk to a confidence level approaching 99.6%.
The strategy for dealing with the residual risk will largely depend upon the intended use of the land but can range from the retention of limited EOD team assets to respond to UXO and UXO lookalikes to awareness training for construction staff.
TRLtd capability
Threat Resolution Ltd (TRLtd) has the capability and experience to design and manage onshore and offshore UXO / AXO projects at corporate and functional levels including desktop and field survey as well as Quality Management.
We specialise in the development of Strategic UXO Management Plans (SUMP) for corporate customers intended to provide a high degree of confidence in the technical execution, quality and budget management of UXO programmes.
All TRLtd technical and quality systems conform to the requirements of ISO 9001:2000 and IMAS.
TRLtd is an ISO 9001:2000 certified company.
