Detailed Risk Assessments

Zetica’s UXO desk study & risk assessments are characterised by thorough research that keeps in line with industry guidance (CIRIA), exceeding those offered by other specialists.  We have developed an enviable reputation for providing assessments based on thorough research and objectivity.

We strive to fully understand the UXO hazard for a site so that we can avoid recommending extensive and potentially unnecessary risk mitigation work.  As such, one of our desk studies can significantly reduce mitigation costs for your site.

Our aim is to provide you with an objective and pragmatic risk assessment specific to your site and the works you are planning to undertake.

A detailed risk assessment allows for a clearly-defined risk mitigation strategy to be put in place.  This can be adapted to suit your risk tolerance, timetable and budget.

A key deliverable of a detailed desk study & risk assessment is the zoning of the UXO hazard level where appropriate.  An example in GIS format is shown on the left.  Routinely providing a site-wide ‘blanket’ hazard assessment often creates unnecessary risk mitigation costs.

Our hazard plans are provided in a geo-referenced GIS package that you can overlay onto your proposed work areas.  This is also CAD compatible.

Each hazard zone will detail the potential type of UXO to be encountered and at what anticipated depth.  This will help inform appropriate risk mitigation.

We anticipate our approach has saved our clients £100,000s in unnecessary risk mitigation measures and reduced time on site.

Our dedicated team of over 20 risk assessors has a wide breadth of knowledge with experience in historical research, mapping, geotechnical engineering and the military, covering all the facets required to undertake a thorough UXO risk assessment.

The entire team is degree-qualified (some to PhD level).

For every desk study we will source and visit local & national archives, libraries and local authority offices to obtain information specific to your site. 

We always obtain a comprehensive set of historical aerial photographs for our review.

We deliberately seek multiple sources in order to corroborate what information we know, establishing a  level of reliance we can place on the sources being used.

Our thorough and in-depth research allows us to conclude a low UXO hazard on more than 80% of sites.

Our detailed UXO desk studies will provide you with a range of risk mitigation options, depending on the identified UXO hazard and the risk to your works.

We recognise that UXO risk management can be emotive and complex. 

Our reports and recommendations are designed to be simple and easy to follow.

An example of one of our easy-to-follow risk mitigation flowcharts can be seen on the left. 

These are designed to help you understand the requirements for further risk mitigation to reduce the UXO risk on your site to as low as reasonably practicable (ALARP).

If further advise is required, or if your works change and further recommendations are needed, we are always happy to help.

Details and examples of potential UXO risk mitigation options can be found by following the menu tabs on this website. 

If necessary, we can produce a UXO risk mitigation strategy document tailored for your site.  Details can be found here:

For sites with a history of explosives manufacturing and storage, there could be a hazard from explosive contamination.  Our risk assessments are overseen by personnel with experience of working on former explosives manufacturing sites. 

We have an appreciation of where explosives contamination is likely to be concentrated and a detailed understanding of the processes for different types of explosives and ordnance manufacturing works. 

We can help you identify contamination on a site and will work with you to remediate the issue.