Ammunition find

Any explosive ordnance found or suspected explosive ordnance must be reported to the law and order department (during office hours), the police or the fire brigade.
The site must be supervised until the arrival of the specialised services or the police.

Correct behaviour with found ammunition

There is still a very high risk of being injured or even killed if munitions are found. Therefore, please observe the following instructions for behaviour when explosive ordnance is found:

● Any explosive ordnance, regardless of its size or external condition, must always be regarded as a high-explosive device that is extremely sensitive to contact, vibration or a change in its position. Explosive ordnance found must be left at the site where it was found. They must not be touched.

● If explosive ordnance has been accidentally picked up, it must be carefully put down again. Never throw it!

● To prevent unauthorised access, the site must be secured by marking and
cordoning off.

● Work at the site must be stopped.

● As soon as the explosive ordnance found is a bomb, machines must be removed as far as possible without shaking the explosive device.

● Whenever a bomb is found, all persons must leave the construction site immediately and secure it by cordoning off at least a 50 metre radius.

● If the position of the bomb changes due to sliding debris, breaking off soil, the action of an excavator or similar, the time of the change in position and the original position of the bomb body must be recorded as precisely as possible.

● If the bomb has already been picked up by a grab, it must be left in the respective position and the machines must be switched off. However, if it has already been lifted, the position of the basket must not be changed.

● If a bomb is only noticed after it has been loaded onto a vehicle, it must not be transported any further under any circumstances. The vehicle must remain at its location and the engine must be switched off. The location must also be cordoned off.

● If persons provide information about the presence or suspected presence of explosive ordnance on the respective construction site, their name and address must be recorded as a basis for further police investigations. The local police station responsible must be informed.

● The responsible supervisor is responsible for notifying the regulatory authority or police and implementing the aforementioned safety measures until they arrive.

● The instructions of the regulatory authority or police regarding the continuation of work, the use of machinery and equipment, partial or complete closure of the construction site, etc. must be complied with at all times.

Legal bases in general

Explosive ordinance NRW