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Danger UXORamora UK have an enviable record with

regard to the delivery of safe,professional, competent and innovative

bomb disposal solutions to a wide range ofclients across the globe. As Ramora UKcomprise a diverse range of former militarypersonnel, these services, which includespecialist training, ensure that any client withan explosive-related issue can be assured ofa prompt and relevant response and solution. By virtue of the UK’s history, the country’s

coastline and associated sea areas are

home to many thousands of unexplodedordnance (UXO) items. Precise numbersremain unknown but both military andRamora UK teams are regularly deployed toprovide a disposal solution following a UXOdiscovery. One of the primary users ofRamora UK’s services is the marineaggregates industry. Working alongside andwithin UK coastal areas guarantees thepresence of explosive remnants of war(ERoW) or UXO, and thus provides a very realissue for such businesses to deal with.

In relation to marine aggregates activityaround the UK, stringent licensing andcontrol measures are enforced. This includesthe assessment of areas to be exploited, andthus the potential for UXO discoveries canoften be evaluated. Invariably, this will notpreclude the exploitation of a given licensearea, but merely identify the need for acompetent and viable UXO disposal solution.Historically, the solution to UXO disposal

was a direct call for assistance from eitherthe police or the Coastguard, who would

Mitigating the risks of unexploded ordnance in marine aggregates

Item of UXO captured byelectromagnet (note CCTVto the rear – at bottomright of picture)

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initiate contact with the Joint ServiceExplosive Ordnance Disposal OperationsCentre (JSEODOC), which, in turn, wouldprovide direct military explosive ordnancedisposal (EOD) support under existingmilitary-aid arrangements. Over the pastseven years, however, this particular routehas narrowed and marine aggregatesoperators are now expected to identify andfund a commercial alternative to the publiclyfunded military and police solutions. This hasresulted in increased responsibility for theoperator, to ensure that appropriate controlmeasures and procedures are implementedto protect their employees, members of thepublic and assets. Furthermore, on-siteemployees require relevant training togetherwith an appropriate risk assessment andmethod statement provided by a competentsource. It is no longer acceptable for an on-site employee to move an item of UXO to alocally manufactured sand pit or water tankto await a military response. In 2007, the first ever bespoke commercial

solution was established at an aggregatesfacility in Portsmouth. This site hadexperienced an elevated incidence of UXOdiscoveries over a prolonged period withnumerous call-outs to JSEODOC.Additionally, police attendance for cordon andcontrol purposes was equally regular. Thesite operators recognized the huge costimplications relating to the continuedclosures which were imposed by the need tocordon off the area during each disposaloperation, and so, following extensive liaisonwith Ramora UK, a purpose-built transferand disposal facility was commissioned at thesite. This structure allows the safe relocationof munitions from the conveyor belt systemutilizing electromagnets and remote-controlsystems with CCTV. Once transferred, theUXO is held within a protective mitigationzone, thereby removing the risk to personneland eliminating any need for a cordon. Theattendance of a competent EOD team thenfollows, and after the UXO has been

confirmed as being ‘live’, ‘blind’ or ‘inert’, theappropriate action is taken. Any items whichare ‘live’ or ‘blind’ are transferred into adisposal chamber, which incorporatessimilar mitigation to the holding area. Thisallows for disposal of numerous UXO itemson site and eradicates the need forevacuation or cordons. Since its constructionin 2006 more than 5,000 munitions have beensafely disposed of without incident and with no requirement for police attendance. Following the continued success of this

facility, Ramora UK have been involved in theprovision of similar solutions across a widerange of industries, including oil and gas,renewables, construction, aviation andarchaeology. The key element in opting fora commercial solution is whether it can bedelivered at the same level of competence tothat of the military. Given that the only realcredibility for such work comes via those whohave retired from military EOD service, thisis a relatively easy factor to demonstrate. So,

why should an operator opt for a commercialsolution, resulting in expense, when thepolice/military service is provided free ofcharge? There are a number of reasons,including:

1. The availability of militaryEOD support for commercialoperators is in declineThe use of public funds to supportcommercial enterprises in the removal ordisposal of hazardous waste, which isessentially what UXO is, is no longerpalatable, particularly given the economicclimate and the fact that entirely viablecommercial alternatives are now in existenceand entirely accessible. The provision ofEOD support from the military, while stillavailable, is prioritized for situations whichpresent a risk to the public, thereby reducingits accessibility and the response rate, whichcan dramatically effect the commercialcontinuity of a business. ‰

The UK’s coastline and associated sea areasare home to many thousands of unexplodedordanance (UXO) items

2. The delivery of a competentcommercial solution includessignificant commercialconsiderations that are notrequired as part of a militaryresponseWhen responding to the discovery of an itemof UXO, any service provider (military orcommercial) must undertake an appropriateassessment and make considerations for:• Public safety• Cordon requirements and evacuation• Blast and danger zones/ranges• Secondary hazards.Furthermore, a good commercial EOD

service provider should also consider:• Ways to minimize site disruption andensure business continuity

• Adoption of additional measures toallow continued working on sensitivesites during UXO discovery/disposal.

3. The delivery of EOD servicesby a commercial contractor isavailable at a comparable levelto that of the militaryWhile slight deviations are available, theonly credible background for those

undertaking EOD work in the commercialmarketplace is a military one. Equally, thismust be to an appropriate level and thoseundertaking the control and co-ordination ofEOD at a site must have undertaken theappropriate 0801, 8B1 or ATO courses.Therefore, an individual having completedsuch training within the military, followed by operational experience and the addition of commercial considerations, is,

arguably, a morecredible solution thanthat of a pure militaryresponse for tasks suchas this. Clearly, themilitary output isdesigned for defence andcounterterrorism and,as such, the commercialsolutions available inthese areas are verylimited.Since its inception in

2004, the Ramora UKbrand has grownconsiderably to a pointwhere it is widelyregarded as the foremost reactive commercialbomb disposal companyin the UK – a fact borneout by the growing

requirement for service delivery to police andother government agencies across the UK.With a wide range of permanently equipped,specialist bomb-disposal vehicles, whichare available for immediate deploymentaround the clock, seven days a week, RamoraUK are capable of offering a police/military-comparable EOD response, which alsoencompasses commercial considerations.For further information on Ramora UK’s

capability, visit: www.ramorauk.com

Conveyor through a mitigation structure

View inside a disposal bunker

Health & Safety

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