🛡️ Assurance in UXO Operations: From Risk Guesswork to Strategic Confidence

UXO clearance isn’t just about identifying threats—it’s about proving that decisions are risk-informed, justifiable, and defensible. That’s where assurance makes the difference.

At complex infrastructure sites like Sizewell C, assurance frameworks ensure that UXO risk is managed As Low As Reasonably Practicable (ALARP)—and that every decision stands up to scrutiny from regulators, insurers, and delivery teams.

🔄 The “Three Lines of Defence” Model:

UK UXO assurance is increasingly structured around a governance-led approach:

1️⃣ First Line: Delivery Teams

UXO contractors responsible for executing technical works—surveys, investigations, and clearance.

2️⃣ Second Line: Management Oversight

Project teams, H&S leads, and principal contractors reviewing plans, RAMS, and operational decisions.

3️⃣ Third Line: Independent Assurance

External experts (like Capreae) who validate decisions, challenge assumptions, and ensure compliance with CIRIA, ALARP, and client governance.

🔍 Why This Matters

Without independent assurance:

• UXO risks can be over- or under-mitigated,

• ALARP arguments may lack supporting evidence,

• And decisions may not hold up under regulator or insurer review.

Assurance is not an audit exercise—it’s a strategic function that adds value throughout the UXO lifecycle.

🧭 Up Next: Land vs Maritime UXO Clearance—how different environments demand different methods, mindsets, and legal frameworks.