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UXO Risk Assessment for Hydroelectric Project

Risk assessment

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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
31 views6 pages

UXO Risk Assessment for Hydroelectric Project

Risk assessment

Uploaded by

royalojado2022
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Risk Assessment (HIRAC) – UXO Operation

Project Title: Pakil Pumped Storage Hydroelectric Power Plant Project


Location: Pakil, Laguna, Philippines
Activity: UXO Detection, Clearance, and Disposal
Prepared by: Roy Dela Torre
Date: July 31,2025
Reviewed and Approved by: Safety Department

1. HAZARD IDENTIFICATION, RISK ASSESSMENT AND CONTROL (HIRAC)

Initial Residual Recommended


Work Activity / Hazards Potential Existing Control Person
Risk Risk Additional
Task Identified Consequences Measures Responsible
Rating Rating Controls

Use of trained
and certified
Deploy advanced
UXO personnel;
UXO detonation non-invasive
Visual survey UXO Team
UXO Survey and due to Fatalities, detection
Critical without High Leader / Safety
Reconnaissance accidental severe injuries equipment (e.g.,
disturbing Officer
disturbance GPR); site-specific
suspected
UXO safety briefing
items; Area
cordoning

Daily equipment
Detection using Equipment Use of
Burns, trauma, intrinsically safe Medium inspection; UXO Technician
Magnetometers / malfunction; High
EM fatalities devices; establish exclusion / Site Engineer
GPR
interference; calibration zones
Risk Assessment (HIRAC) – UXO Operation

Initial Residual Recommended


Work Activity / Hazards Potential Existing Control Person
Risk Risk Additional
Task Identified Consequences Measures Responsible
Rating Rating Controls

checks;
inadvertent
maintain safe
triggering of
standoff
UXO
distance

Color-coded
Marking of Proximity to live marking system; Install warning
Serious injury; UXO Team /
Suspected UXO ordnance; High GPS logging; no Medium signage and
missed UXOs Safety Officer
Locations terrain hazards physical contact restrict access
with UXO

Manual
Use of remote-
excavation only
controlled tools
Explosion from by certified
Excavation of Fatalities, site where possible; Bomb Expert /
mechanical Critical bomb High
Suspected UXO damage maintain UXO Supervisor
disturbance technicians;
evacuation
PPE; blast
perimeter
shields in place

Vibration or Secure Escort by security;


UXO Transport to mishandling Fatalities, packaging in route risk UXO Transport
Critical approved Medium
Disposal Site causing severe injuries assessment and Officer
detonation containers; clearance
transport by
Risk Assessment (HIRAC) – UXO Operation

Initial Residual Recommended


Work Activity / Hazards Potential Existing Control Person
Risk Risk Additional
Task Identified Consequences Measures Responsible
Rating Rating Controls

certified UXO
transporter

Establish blast
zones and
safety cordon; Use remote
UXO On-site Misfire, Fatalities, detonation by ignition systems;
UXO Blasting
Disposal premature ground shock, Critical licensed Medium weather
Team
(Blasting) detonation flying debris personnel; monitoring before
emergency detonation
response plan in
place

Strict access
Use barriers and
Unauthorized Exposure to control; posted
24/7 surveillance Safety Officer /
Personnel high-risk area; Fatality, injury High guards; warning Low
of UXO staging Site Security
Access triggering UXO signage in local
areas
dialect

Mandatory UXO
Conduct
Lack of UXO Unintentional safety induction;
Serious injury or simulation drills Safety Officer /
Awareness disturbance of High posters and Medium
death and refresher UXO Trainer
Among Workers UXO toolbox
trainings
meetings
Risk Assessment (HIRAC) – UXO Operation

Initial Residual Recommended


Work Activity / Hazards Potential Existing Control Person
Risk Risk Additional
Task Identified Consequences Measures Responsible
Rating Rating Controls

Data logging
UXO Mapping
Incomplete using GIS; third- Regular audits and UXO
and Undetected
clearance; false High party validation; Medium digital archiving of Documentation
Documentation UXO; future risk
negatives daily field clearance maps Officer
Errors
reports

Enforce
Reduced work/rest
Fatigue / Heat Pre-task fitness
alertness; Serious injury or cycles; shaded UXO Team
Stress during High Medium screening; real-
mistakes during death rest areas; Leader / Medic
UXO Operations time monitoring
critical tasks hydration
program

2. RISK RATING CRITERIA (Based on DOLE Standards)

Likelihood Consequence Risk Rating

Likely Major/Fatal Critical

Possible Major High

Possible Moderate Medium

Unlikely Minor Low


Risk Assessment (HIRAC) – UXO Operation

3. HIERARCHY OF CONTROLS APPLIED

 Elimination – Not applicable; presence of UXO is a site condition.

 Substitution – Not applicable.

 Engineering Controls – Use of blast shields, barriers, remote tools, detection equipment.

 Administrative Controls – UXO SOPs, access control, documentation, training, PTW system.

 PPE – Anti-blast suits, safety boots, helmets with face shields, gloves, hearing protection.

4. TRAINING & COMPETENCY REQUIREMENTS (Aligned with DOLE & International UXO Standards)

Training Program Target Personnel Certification Validity

Basic UXO Awareness All project workers Every 2 years

UXO Detection and Clearance Course UXO Technicians Annually

Advanced Explosive Ordnance Disposal Bomb Experts Annually

Emergency Response and First Aid UXO Team, Safety Staff Annually

5. MONITORING AND REVIEW

 Monitoring: Daily site inspection, weekly UXO safety audits, third-party clearance validation

 Review Frequency: Quarterly or after any UXO-related event or near miss

 Documentation: UXO logbooks, clearance maps, hazard reports, toolbox meeting records
Risk Assessment (HIRAC) – UXO Operation

6. EMERGENCY RESPONSE PLAN FOR UXO INCIDENTS

 Immediate evacuation of affected area

 Notification to local police, military EOD unit, and DOLE field office

 Medical assistance on standby

 Incident investigation and reporting within 24 hours

Common questions

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Regular auditing and digital archiving of clearance maps are critical in UXO operations to ensure that all UXOs are accurately documented and cleared, preventing incomplete clearance and false negatives that could pose a future risk. This process ensures that the accuracy of data logging using GIS is maintained and validated by third parties .

To mitigate the risk of UXO detonation due to accidental disturbance during survey and reconnaissance, it is recommended to deploy advanced non-invasive detection equipment such as Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR), provide site-specific UXO safety briefings, and ensure trained and certified UXO personnel are used .

The emergency response plan includes immediate evacuation of the affected area, notification to local police, military Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) units, and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) field office, as well as having medical assistance on standby. An incident investigation and reporting are conducted within 24 hours of the UXO-related event .

Errors in UXO mapping and documentation can result in undetected UXOs leading to incomplete clearance and a future risk. Control measures include data logging with GIS, third-party validation, daily field reports, regular audits, and digital archiving of clearance maps to maintain accuracy in UXO documentation .

Recognizing fatigue and heat stress is crucial as they reduce alertness and increase the likelihood of mistakes during critical UXO tasks. Implementing control measures such as work/rest cycles, shaded rest areas, and a hydration program, along with pre-task fitness screening and real-time monitoring, can significantly improve operational safety and reduce the risk of accidents .

A UXO documentation officer is pivotal in managing risk by ensuring the integrity and completeness of the UXO clearance records. Through meticulous logging using GIS, third-party validation, and maintaining detailed and accurate documentation, they help prevent future risks posed by undetected UXOs and ensure that all clearance maps are up-to-date and reliable .

The use of remote-controlled tools is recommended during the excavation of suspected UXO to prevent direct human contact with potentially explosive materials. This minimizes the risk of explosion from mechanical disturbances by ensuring that only certified bomb technicians using appropriate protective measures handle the UXOs indirectly .

Training requirements include a Basic UXO Awareness program for all project workers every two years, a UXO Detection and Clearance Course for UXO technicians annually, and an Advanced Explosive Ordnance Disposal course for bomb experts annually. Emergency response and first aid training is also mandatory for the UXO team and safety staff every year .

Engineering controls reduce risks in UXO operations by minimizing human exposure to hazards. This is achieved through the use of blast shields and barriers, remote tools for detection and destruction, and sophisticated detection equipment which limit the need for direct human interaction with potentially explosive materials .

The hierarchy of controls applied in managing UXO risks includes engineering controls such as blast shields, barriers, and remote tools. Administrative controls involve establishing UXO Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), access control, comprehensive training, and a Permit to Work (PTW) system. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) like anti-blast suits and safety gear are also used .

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