Members of the
Institute of Explosive Engineers
1. I've been told that wartime bombs and shells are no longer dangerous, is this true?
A. No, most certainly not! In numerous studies carried out since the war, it has been identified that munitions which are meticulously designed to operate perfectly, often failed to function. Historical records show that approximately 10% of all air dropped bombs failed to detonate for a number of reasons. This figure increases to nearly a 30% failure rate when we consider shells. Today they can and do detonate if disturbed. As was witnessed in late 2006 when tragically, a road construction engineer was killed when an item of unexploded ordnance detonated while he worked on a motorway south east of Frankfurt. Five other people were injured and damage sustained to cars and buildings up to 500m away.
2. What is Unexploded Ordnance Awareness Training?
A. Once a risk from unexploded ordnance has been established, suitable training is essential for all site personnel. The training takes the form of "Toolbox Talks" and covers basic recognition of suspect items, reporting and the emergency procedures to be followed. For site managers and supervisors additional training can be provided to assist in designing the site safety plan.
3. How can we deal effectively with the risk from unexploded ordnance?
A. Once a comprehensive threat study has been carried out and the threat identified, the next step is to design an effective mitigation strategy based on the study's findings. The strategy will employ recognised procedures to deal safely and effectively with the unexploded ordnance. The strategy makes full use of proactive and reactive measures to mitigate the risk at each phase of the project.
4. Are we over exaggerating the risk posed from unexploded ordnance?
A. Unless accurately assessed the risk can never be over exaggerated. While it's true that the likelihood of encountering unexploded ordnance in many areas of the United Kingdom may be low, the consequence of such an encounter may be catastrophic.
5. How far does duty of care extend?
A. All employers are aware of duty of care to employees and anyone coming into contact with worksites and processes.
It has become obvious that duty of care extends far beyond the workforce, encompassing the environment as a whole. We at EOD firmly believe that our duty extends to ensuring the environment's fragile balance is safeguarded. It is beholden to us all to conduct our business in a manner that ensures that all environmental and ecological requirements are met and whenever possible exceeded.
6. What is International Mines Action Standards?
A. The United Nations has created Mines Action Standards which sets out how clearance operations should be carried out in third world countries, the document clearly states how quality assurance and control is to be carried out. This document is written to comply with International Standard Organisation "ISO" requirements.
7. What is quality assurance and quality control of clearance operation?
A. Quality assurance is the monitoring of the clearance process. The quality control is the sampling of the finished product, the cleared land.
8. Is a clearance contract like any other contract?
A. Yes, but the contracting company must stipulate the clearance requirement in detail: This must include the depth of clearance required and the size of metal fragments which is acceptable and unacceptable to the quality control system (sampling process). To state "metal free" creates delays and spiralling costs that could have been avoided, to remove rust is expense both for the clearance company and the client. Quality assurance (monitoring system) of the clearance process must be carried out and a quality control (sampling) system put in place.
