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Quality Control (QC)

When dealing with UXO risk, Zetica leads the UK’s UXO industry through rigorous quality control (QC) and verification procedures and practices.

One of the primary aims of our procedures is ensuring safety through verification of results and good communication on the anticipated and actual effectiveness of any risk mitigation measures.

SURVEY QUALITY CONTROL

All works, in particular UXO detection surveys, must be conducted under a strict quality control protocol. For a UXO detection survey, ZeticaUXO addresses the key issues of data quality thoroughly throughout the data acquisition phase. All data collected is assessed onsite and any issues addressed immediately whenever feasible. In addition, senior back-office staff also sample and review data collected onsite throughout the project.

ZeticaUXO measure and quantify detectability as part of a standard QC process. This includes a measure of geophysical noise. The assessment of an instrument’s performance over a known target (seed) is also assessed and recorded throughout our field works (geophysical system verification).

Within our final report, the quality of data and any issues are stated and any implications for your works clearly addressed. We include a statement of detectability along with the depths of detection achieved wherever possible.

All such assessments are undertaken by ZeticaUXO’s experienced and highly-qualified geophysicists.

EXPLOSIVE ORDNANCE CLEARANCE

The intrusive investigation of targets is systematically recorded to ensure that each and every selected target has been investigated, recorded and, where appropriate, a chain of custody to include its disposal (if UXO) is provided.

Where the investigation of a target has identified unexpected conditions (e.g. multiple targets in a location or where it is thought deeper targets may be masked by the detected shallower targets), we clearly highlight such findings in our reports and on any drawings.

Our target investigation operations are always undertaken by experienced and competent Explosive Ordnance Clearance (EOC) Engineers.

COMPLETION REPORT

On completion of the UXO detection, investigation and EOD works, we provide a thorough completion report. This report provides:

  • A summary of the site conditions at the time of the surveys.
  • Summary of works undertaken and their location.
  • Summary of findings.
  • Details of quality control procedures and results.
  • A plan showing detection depths/detectability achieved.
  • ALARP statement with appropriate references to any residual risk.
  • Identification of additional works required.

Through this thorough and comprehensive process, you are provided with a clear understanding of the risk mitigation and, if applicable, any residual UXO hazard.

Members of our UXO team are always happy to discuss the findings of our reports on a call.