Explosive and hazardous items in scrap metal
Specialist training for steelworks, foundries, scrap yards and metal recycling facilities
Global Protection Group prepares operational personnel and managers to recognise observable features that may indicate an explosive or hazardous threat and to respond appropriately when a suspicious item is identified in a delivery or during the handling and processing of scrap metal.
Ammunition, ordnance and other explosive or hazardous items, including items of military origin, may enter a facility within the scrap stream. If they remain unidentified, they may be moved, cut, crushed, fragmented or exposed to high temperatures, creating a serious risk to personnel, machinery, infrastructure and continuity of operations.
The training prepares participants to recognise a potential threat at an early stage, stop the affected operation and initiate the appropriate organisational response without touching, moving or examining the item.
Training scope
Depending on the facility’s operations and participant responsibilities, the training may cover:
- types of explosive and hazardous items that may occur in scrap metal;
- recognising observable characteristics, markings and other indicators that may suggest a potential hazard;
- identifying potential threats during receipt, inspection, sorting, loading and processing;
- stopping work immediately when a suspicious item is identified;
- avoiding contact with the item and restricting access to the affected area;
- withdrawing personnel from the affected area in accordance with site procedures;
- reporting the discovery and communicating essential information;
- cooperating with the police, emergency services and authorised explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) personnel.
The training does not prepare participants to touch, move, open, dismantle, examine or render safe a suspected item.
Training for operational personnel and managers
The programme is relevant to personnel responsible for receiving and inspecting deliveries, sorting and processing scrap metal, operating machinery and supervising production activities. It may also be prepared for team leaders, security personnel, health and safety teams and managers responsible for site security and emergency response.
For managers and supervisory personnel, the programme may additionally cover:
- stopping the affected operation, processing line or item of machinery;
- activating internal reporting and escalation procedures;
- accounting for personnel and supporting evacuation where required;
- coordinating internal communication and access restrictions;
- providing relevant information to the responding authorities and specialist services;
- supporting business continuity and the controlled resumption of operations following clearance by the competent authorities or specialist services.
The scope is adapted to the responsibilities of each participant group and the procedures already in place at the facility.
Practical preparation for a recognised industrial risk
Training may include photographs, safe training aids, case studies and scenario-based exercises illustrating items that may occur within the scrap stream.
Participants learn a clear response sequence: recognise a potential threat, avoid contact, stop the affected operation, withdraw personnel and activate the facility’s reporting and emergency procedures.
Scenarios can reflect the type of material received, the machinery and processing methods used, the layout of the facility and the responsibilities of operational, security and management teams.
Supporting safety and operational continuity
Properly prepared personnel are more likely to recognise a potentially hazardous item before it is moved or introduced into a further stage of the processing operation.
The training supports consistent reporting and response arrangements, improves employee awareness and helps the organisation reduce risks to personnel, infrastructure and continuity of operations.
Training is delivered by practitioners with relevant professional experience in explosive-threat recognition, military ordnance and incident response.
Courses can be delivered at the client’s facility or another agreed location, in Poland and internationally.
Discuss your training requirements
Each programme is prepared individually, taking into account the facility’s operations, the type of material received, processing methods, participant responsibilities and existing emergency procedures.
Based on the information provided, we will recommend an appropriate training scope, delivery format and level of practical content.
Every enquiry is assessed individually and handled in confidence.