Battle area clearance (BAC) ↗
Specialist clearance work concerned with explosive contamination in a former battle area, conducted within a defined operational programme.
KNOWLEDGE / A–Z
The UXO glossary. Clear language for complex work.
A practical reference for developers, contractors and project teams. Explore 44 terms across research, construction, surveys, risk management and specialist mine action.
B
Bomb census records ↗
Historical records documenting aspects of wartime bombing and reported incidents. They can contribute to research into the history of a study area.
Borehole ↗
A drilled opening used for a defined investigation or installation purpose. Its location, depth and drilling method are important inputs to project planning.
C
Conceptual site model ↗
A structured explanation of how a site’s conditions, possible hazards and planned activities relate to potential harm. It helps organise the assumptions behind a risk assessment.
D
Desktop study ↗
A review of existing information carried out without a physical ground investigation. For UXO work, the sources may include historical mapping, military records, bombing information and previous reports.
Detailed UXO risk assessment ↗
A more developed investigation of the evidence relevant to potential UXO risk. It examines the site history and proposed activity in greater depth than an initial screening review.
E
EOD — explosive ordnance disposal ↗
The specialist discipline concerned with dealing with explosive ordnance. On commercial projects, the phrase may refer to a specific technical role, a support requirement or an agreed disposal task.
EORE — explosive ordnance risk education ↗
Education and communication intended to reduce people’s exposure to explosive ordnance hazards through safer behaviour.
Explosive remnants of war (ERW) ↗
A term used in post-conflict work for unexploded and abandoned explosive ordnance associated with conflict.
G
Geophysical anomaly ↗
A response in survey data that differs from the expected background. It may justify interpretation or further investigation, depending on the survey’s objectives.
Geophysical survey ↗
The collection of data about physical properties of the ground or objects within it using specialist sensing methods. The method must suit the question being investigated.
Ground investigation ↗
Work undertaken to understand ground conditions for a project. It may include intrusive investigation, sampling and testing, depending on the design questions being addressed.
H
Historical aerial photography ↗
Aerial images captured at an earlier date, used to investigate previous land use, development and visible changes across a site.
I
IEDD — improvised explosive device disposal ↗
A distinct specialist discipline concerned with the disposal of improvised explosive devices.
IMAS — International Mine Action Standards ↗
An international framework of standards for mine action. Projects need to establish which standards and national requirements apply to their particular work.
Intrusive UXO survey ↗
A specialist investigation involving access into the ground to gather data relevant to a defined UXO objective, rather than relying solely on measurements from the surface.
Intrusive works ↗
Activities that enter or disturb the ground, such as trial pits, drilling, excavation and piling. Each activity has a footprint, method and depth that can influence the UXO assessment.
L
Land release ↗
An evidence-based process for addressing suspected explosive contamination and determining the status of land within an authorised programme.
LiDAR ↗
Light detection and ranging: a remote sensing technique used to measure distances and create spatial representations of surfaces and features.
M
Magnetometry ↗
Measurement of magnetic field variations. In a suitable survey context, these variations may help identify responses associated with certain buried objects or features.
Mine action ↗
A wider field of work addressing the humanitarian and developmental consequences of mines and other explosive ordnance. It extends beyond the physical removal of hazards.
Mobilisation ↗
The arrangements needed to bring people and equipment to a project and prepare for the agreed work. It can include travel, logistics, access and induction requirements.
N
Non-technical survey (NTS) ↗
Evidence-gathering and analysis about potential explosive contamination without technical ground investigation.
P
Piling ↗
A foundation construction process involving structural elements installed into the ground. The design and installation method determine the area and depths affected.
Preliminary UXO risk assessment ↗
An initial review that considers whether available evidence indicates a potential UXO concern for a defined site and proposed works.
Project handover ↗
The transfer of agreed reports, records and other outputs at the conclusion of a task or phase. It communicates what was delivered and any remaining limitations.
Q
Quality assurance (QA) ↗
The planned arrangements used to provide confidence that specified project requirements will be met. QA considers how the work is organised and controlled.
Quality control (QC) ↗
Checks applied to particular outputs or results to establish whether they meet the specified requirements. QC complements wider quality management arrangements.
R
RAMS — risk assessments and method statements ↗
A common construction abbreviation for the documents that assess task risks and describe how the work is intended to be carried out.
Residual risk ↗
The risk remaining after the selected measures have been applied. It reflects the limitations and assumptions that still matter to the project.
S
Safe system of work ↗
The planned arrangements for carrying out an activity while managing its risks. This includes people, procedures, equipment, responsibilities and communication.
Scope of work ↗
The agreed description of what a supplier will deliver, where it applies, and the assumptions, boundaries and exclusions attached to the task.
Site boundary ↗
The mapped extent of the land or works area being considered. It defines the spatial scope of research, assessment or contracted investigation.
T
Target investigation ↗
A separately planned examination of a selected location or response identified through survey or other evidence. Its objective is to resolve a specific uncertainty.
Task-specific competence ↗
The combination of relevant knowledge, skills and experience needed to carry out a defined task appropriately. Evidence should relate to the actual work being contracted.
Technical supervision ↗
Specialist oversight of agreed activities, with defined responsibilities and authority. The supervisor’s role should be clear to the client and delivery team.
Technical survey ↗
Specialist field investigation used within mine action to develop evidence about suspected or confirmed contamination.
Toolbox talk ↗
A short work-related briefing focused on a particular activity, risk or procedure. It supports communication with the people undertaking the task.
Trial pit ↗
An excavation used to inspect ground conditions or expose relevant features during an investigation. Its planned location and depth help define the activity.
U
UXO awareness ↗
An understanding of relevant explosive hazards, the limits of an individual’s role and the reporting arrangements that apply to their work.
UXO clearance ↗
A contracted specialist activity to address explosive ordnance within a defined area and agreed parameters.
UXO risk mitigation ↗
Measures selected to manage the UXO risk identified for a project. These can involve further research, changes to planning, specialist investigation, briefings or site support.
UXO watching brief ↗
Specialist observation and technical support during agreed site activities, delivered within the coverage and responsibilities defined for the project.
UXO — unexploded ordnance ↗
Explosive ordnance that has been used or prepared for use but has not functioned as intended. In construction discussions, UXO commonly refers to potential buried ordnance from past bombing or military activity.
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