chapter 5 - explosive ordnance disposal 30 jun 07

8/13/2019 Chapter 5 - Explosive Ordnance Disposal 30 Jun 07

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NTSG, Part 1, Edition 8, Version 2

EXPLOSIVE ORDNANCE DISPOSAL

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 For the purpose of this NTSG the term unexploded ordnance (UXO)applies to all ordnance, munitions and landmines which may be found in Sudanand which present a significant risk to human life.

1.2 A mine action organisation or a contractor specialising in explosiveordnance disposal (EOD) may clear UXO. For the purpose of this NTSG allsuch 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 outsideof mined areas. Such operations may involve a single UXO, a number of UXOin a specific location or stockpiled ammunition.

2.2 The establishment and preservation of a safe and effective EODcapability will require varying levels of expertise. EOD operators are onlyauthorised to deal with those items and situations for which they have beentrained and are qualified. All organisations involved in specific EOD operationsshall have at least one qualified level four EOD Technician within theirorganisation.

3. TRAINING AND QUALIFICATIONS

3.1 EOD training and qualifications should be appropriate to the UXO threatencountered in Sudan. The training and qualifications of deminers carrying outEOD activities shall satisfy the requirements and policies of the UNNMAO andbe in accordance with IMAS 09.30. 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 specificallytrained on.

b. Level Two EOD enables a deminer to undertake the destruction,in-situ, of a single small UXO such as sub-munitions, grenades andmortar ammunition up to 84 mm in diameter including high explosive antitank (HEAT) ammunition. The above categories normally represent themajority of UXO found in or around minefields.c. Level Three EOD applies to a deminer who has been specificallytrained in the disposal by detonation of larger UXO such as rocket, tankgun ammunition and artillery ammunition up to 240 mm in diameterincluding HEAT charges. Under the supervision and direction of aqualified EOD supervisor, a level three operator should be qualified andtrained to render safe UXO for safe removal and subsequent destruction:d. Level Four EOD applies to specialist EOD operators who havebeen trained at an internationally recognized institution and are


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subsequently qualified to destroy the remaining EOD hazards usingspecialist EOD techniques and equipment. This includes bulk disposal ofrendered safe UXO and other recovered items of ERW. Such specialistsskills would include the render safe of liquid propellant systems, disposalof depleted uranium and the clearance of conventional munitions withimprovised firing systems. The Level Four EOD qualification shall clearlyindicate the specialist areas of expertise attained by the individual andlevel four tasks shall only be conducted if the appropriate technicalreference documentation and supporting specialised tools are availableto the operator..Note1: Where particular items or ERW are frequently encountered,specific training in the disposal of these items may be given to selectedoperators, therefore enabling them to deal with these items rather thancontinually referring the problem to the next higher level of expertise. Anytraining 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 needfor bulk demolitions. Consideration is required in regard to the need foradditional training in the disposal of some UXO items that presentadditional hazards to the operator or environment.Note 3: It should be noted that sub-munitions are particularly hazardousto deal with and should only be dealt with by appropriately trained andqualified personnel.Note 4: EOD operators shall only carry out operations and techniques forwhich 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 areapplicable in terms of this NTSG:

a. Central Demolition Site an area authorised for the destruction ofbulk UXO1. (Annex A details considerations to be taken into accountwhen choosing the location of a CDS and procedures to be adoptedduring its operation).

b. Net Explosive Quantity/Content (NEQ/NEC) the total amount ofexplosive material contained within a given item of ammunition2.c. Primary Fragmentation in an explosive event fragmentation thatwas originally part of a mine/UXO

5. RESPONSIBILITIES

5.1 UNMAO: The UNMAO shall where applicable establish and/or maintain:

1Approval 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 andtheir agreement sought.2Consideration should be given to any donor charge used when calculating the total NEQ.


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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 EODoperations.d. The capability to monitor the effectiveness and safety of mine actionorganisations involved in EOD operationse. National systems for EOD incident reporting

5.2 Demining Organisations: Demining organisations shall:

a. Establish and maintain SOPs for EOD operations which comply withIMAS and this NTSGb. Recruit, train and maintain appropriate staff to carry out EODoperationsc. Apply the detail of accredited SOPs during EOD operations in aconsistent, effective and safe manner.

d. Cooperate with UNMAO staff responsible for implementing policyand monitoring EOD operations.

6. REQUIREMENTS AND PROCEDURES

6.1 The guidelines for setting up demolitions, contained in IMAS 10.30, mustbe strictly adhered to. The following requirements and procedures shall beapplied during EOD operations:

a. Neutralization and Disarming (1) Whereverpossible 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 unacceptabledamage being inflicted on nearby infrastructure, then alternativetechniques of disposal should be applied. This may include loworder (deflagration) or render safe techniques in which case theUXO can be removed to a safe location for disposal.(3) All techniques planned to be used are to be detailed within theorganisations SOPs.

b. Destruction this applies to UXO destroyed in-situ and thoseremoved for disposal either individually or in bulk:

(1) Appropriate measures shall be taken to contain blast andfragmentation effects. This includes consideration into thesafeguarding of the general public, their livestock, their buildingsand other such concerns that may be affected by operations byimplementing sufficient safety distances and the isolation of anydanger area by the use of sentries and warnings. IMAS 10.20should be referred to for clarification of laying down danger areashowever it should be remembered this is only a guide.


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(2) Sites chosen for bulk destruction shall be sited away frompopulated 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 situationsfor which they have been trained and accredited.(4) SOPs shall contain details of the organisationsprocedures/methodology for calculating and implementing dangerareas.(5) EOD operators shall be conversant with all protective workstechniques, calculations and construction methods. Organisationsare to include protective works measures in their EOD SOP.

c. Initiation Methods The following applies to whichever method isused:

(1) Crimping of detonators, final placement of charges and allclear checks at the completion of a demolition are a one man riskand shall only be completed by the OIC of the disposal site.

(2) Firing points shall be sited outside of the fragmentation hazardzone or be suitably protected against the effects of fragmentationand blast caused from the demolition.(3) SOPs relating to demolitions are to be strictly adhered to andshall include the following safety precautions when conductingeither electrical or non-electrical methods of initiation:

(a) Electrical Initiation This is the preferred method andshould be used whenever possible and/or practicable. Whenused:

i. All electrical firing circuits shall be sited a minimumdistance 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 radiotransmitters is 160 m.iii. The minimum safety distance from all VHF radios is25m.iv. Anti-static precautions shall be taken prior to handlingany electro-explosive items.v. A wait time of 10 minutes shall be applied for allelectrically initiated misfires.

(b) Non-electrical Initiation This should only be used whenelectrical initiation is not possible and/or practicable. When

used:i. Minimum length of safety fuse permitted to be usedper firing serial is 600mm.ii. The first and last 300mm of the safety fuse coil is to bediscarded.iii. Test the burning time of 300mm of safety fuse notingthe burning rate.iv. Calculate the length of fuse required to walk from thedemolition site to the safe area.v. A wait time of 30 minutes shall be applied for all non-electrical misfires.

d. EOD Reporting Comprehensive reports are required following thecompletion of an EOD task. The destruction of a single item of UXO (spotEOD task) shall be recorded in the IMSMA Dangerous Area Report,


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ensuring the appropriate section on EOD spot tasks is completed. Allother EOD tasks are to be recorded in the IMSMA Progress ReportForm.

chapter 5 - explosive ordnance disposal 30 jun 07

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