EXPLOSIVE ORDNANCE DISPOSAL

Transcription

1 EXPLOSIVE ORDNANCE DISPOSAL 1. INTRODUCTION Page 1 of 5 Chapter For the purpose of this NTSG the term unexploded ordnance (UXO) applies to all ordnance, munitions and landmines which may be found in Sudan and which present a significant risk to human life. 1.2 A mine action organisation or a contractor specialising in explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) may clear UXO. For the purpose of this NTSG all such activities are included as EOD operations. 2. GENERAL PRINCIPLES 2.1 EOD may be undertaken during humanitarian demining when UXO is encountered in a minefield and also at times when UXO is encountered outside of mined areas. Such operations may involve a single UXO, a number of UXO in a specific location or stockpiled ammunition. 2.2 The establishment and preservation of a safe and effective EOD capability will require varying levels of expertise. EOD operators are only authorised to deal with those items and situations for which they have been trained and are qualified. All organisations involved in specific EOD operations shall have at least one qualified level four EOD Technician within their organisation. 3. TRAINING AND QUALIFICATIONS 3.1 EOD training and qualifications should be appropriate to the UXO threat encountered in Sudan. The training and qualifications of deminers carrying out EOD activities shall satisfy the requirements and policies of the UNNMAO and be in accordance with IMAS The following is a guide: a. Level One EOD enables a deminer to locate, expose and destroy, under supervision, in situ mines that the deminer has been specifically trained on. b. Level Two EOD enables a deminer to undertake the destruction, in-situ, of a single small UXO such as sub-munitions, grenades and mortar ammunition up to 84 mm in diameter including high explosive anti tank (HEAT) ammunition. The above categories normally represent the majority of UXO found in or around minefields. c. Level Three EOD applies to a deminer who has been specifically trained in the disposal by detonation of larger UXO such as rocket, tank gun ammunition and artillery ammunition up to 240 mm in diameter including HEAT charges. Under the supervision and direction of a qualified EOD supervisor, a level three operator should be qualified and trained to render safe UXO for safe removal and subsequent destruction: d. Level Four EOD applies to specialist EOD operators who have been trained at an internationally recognized institution and are

2 subsequently qualified to destroy the remaining EOD hazards using specialist EOD techniques and equipment. This includes bulk disposal of rendered safe UXO and other recovered items of ERW. Such specialist s skills would include the render safe of liquid propellant systems, disposal of depleted uranium and the clearance of conventional munitions with improvised firing systems. The Level Four EOD qualification shall clearly indicate the specialist areas of expertise attained by the individual and level four tasks shall only be conducted if the appropriate technical reference documentation and supporting specialised tools are available to the operator.. Note1: Where particular items or ERW are frequently encountered, specific training in the disposal of these items may be given to selected operators, therefore enabling them to deal with these items rather than continually referring the problem to the next higher level of expertise. Any training of this nature is to be approved and accredited by the UNMAO. This does not include Render Safe Procedures (RSP). Note 2: Some UXO items present a specific or additional threat. Examples are items containing white phosphorous, missiles or the need for bulk demolitions. Consideration is required in regard to the need for additional training in the disposal of some UXO items that present additional hazards to the operator or environment. Note 3: It should be noted that sub-munitions are particularly hazardous to deal with and should only be dealt with by appropriately trained and qualified personnel. Note 4: EOD operators shall only carry out operations and techniques for which they have been suitably trained, are qualified and for which they have been accredited. 4. DEFINITIONS 4.1 The following definitions are not included in the glossary but are applicable in terms of this NTSG: a. Central Demolition Site an area authorised for the destruction of bulk UXO 1. (Annex A details considerations to be taken into account when choosing the location of a CDS and procedures to be adopted during its operation). b. Net Explosive Quantity/Content (NEQ/NEC) the total amount of explosive material contained within a given item of ammunition 2. c. Primary Fragmentation in an explosive event fragmentation that was originally part of a mine/uxo 5. RESPONSIBILITIES 5.1 UNMAO: The UNMAO shall where applicable establish and/or maintain: 1 Approval for the establishment of a CDS is to be obtained from the Director of Mine Action in Sudan. Local authorities and affected population (if any) need to be involved in the site selection process and their agreement sought. 2 Consideration should be given to any donor charge used when calculating the total NEQ. Page 2 of 5

3 a. National standards for the qualification of EOD operators. b. National standards for EOD procedures. c. The capability to accredit mine action organisations involved in EOD operations. d. The capability to monitor the effectiveness and safety of mine action organisations involved in EOD operations e. National systems for EOD incident reporting 5.2 Demining Organisations: Demining organisations shall: a. Establish and maintain SOPs for EOD operations which comply with IMAS and this NTSG b. Recruit, train and maintain appropriate staff to carry out EOD operations c. Apply the detail of accredited SOPs during EOD operations in a consistent, effective and safe manner. d. Cooperate with UNMAO staff responsible for implementing policy and monitoring EOD operations. 6. REQUIREMENTS AND PROCEDURES 6.1 The guidelines for setting up demolitions, contained in IMAS 10.30, must be strictly adhered to. The following requirements and procedures shall be applied during EOD operations: a. Neutralization and Disarming (1) Wherever possible and/or practicable UXO shall be destroyed in-situ by detonation. (2) If not possible to destroy in-situ because of safety factors, environmental considerations or the possibility of unacceptable damage being inflicted on nearby infrastructure, then alternative techniques of disposal should be applied. This may include low order (deflagration) or render safe techniques in which case the UXO can be removed to a safe location for disposal. (3) All techniques planned to be used are to be detailed within the organisations SOPs. b. Destruction this applies to UXO destroyed in-situ and those removed for disposal either individually or in bulk: (1) Appropriate measures shall be taken to contain blast and fragmentation effects. This includes consideration into the safeguarding of the general public, their livestock, their buildings and other such concerns that may be affected by operations by implementing sufficient safety distances and the isolation of any danger area by the use of sentries and warnings. IMAS should be referred to for clarification of laying down danger areas however it should be remembered this is only a guide. Page 3 of 5

4 (2) Sites chosen for bulk destruction shall be sited away from populated areas so as to represent no risk to the local inhabitants, live stock or infrastructure. (3) EOD Operators shall only deal with those items and situations for which they have been trained and accredited. (4) SOPs shall contain details of the organisations procedures/methodology for calculating and implementing danger areas. (5) EOD operators shall be conversant with all protective works techniques, calculations and construction methods. Organisations are to include protective works measures in their EOD SOP. c. Initiation Methods The following applies to whichever method is (1) Crimping of detonators, final placement of charges and all clear checks at the completion of a demolition are a one man risk and shall only be completed by the OIC of the disposal site. (2) Firing points shall be sited outside of the fragmentation hazard zone or be suitably protected against the effects of fragmentation and blast caused from the demolition. (3) SOPs relating to demolitions are to be strictly adhered to and shall include the following safety precautions when conducting either electrical or non-electrical methods of initiation: (a) Electrical Initiation This is the preferred method and should be used whenever possible and/or practicable. When i. All electrical firing circuits shall be sited a minimum distance of 300m from the nearest radio or radar transmitting aerial when the wattage output is unknown. ii. The minimum safety distance from all HF vehicle radio transmitters is 160 m. iii. The minimum safety distance from all VHF radios is 25m. iv. Anti-static precautions shall be taken prior to handling any electro-explosive items. v. A wait time of 10 minutes shall be applied for all electrically initiated misfires. (b) Non-electrical Initiation This should only be used when electrical initiation is not possible and/or practicable. When i. Minimum length of safety fuse permitted to be used per firing serial is 600mm. ii. The first and last 300mm of the safety fuse coil is to be discarded. iii. Test the burning time of 300mm of safety fuse noting the burning rate. iv. Calculate the length of fuse required to walk from the demolition site to the safe area. v. A wait time of 30 minutes shall be applied for all nonelectrical misfires. d. EOD Reporting Comprehensive reports are required following the completion of an EOD task. The destruction of a single item of UXO (spot EOD task) shall be recorded in the IMSMA Dangerous Area Report, Page 4 of 5

5 ensuring the appropriate section on EOD spot tasks is completed. All other EOD tasks are to be recorded in the IMSMA Progress Report Form. Page 5 of 5