Manual
Overview
Ever since the concept of physical de-mining began the primary
clearance method has been focused on manual de-mining and the
techniques associated with it. In recent history scenes of individuals
clearing fields or suspect areas by prodding with drawn bayonets
has given way to more specialized personal equipment and in some
cases personalised or adapted equipment designed to reduce the
injuries to the de-miner and make the clearance method safer and
more effective.
Although there are now a variety of clearance methods in the
de-mining “Toolbox” no one method currently manages
to address all the situations that can arise.
Adverse weather has a detrimental effect on clearance by animals,
humans and machines; terrain, topography, rocky ground and vegetation
can also affect all the clearance assets in different ways. Tiredness
and poor training can hinder any clearance involving human intervention.
Research into alternate methods as diverse as infrared technology,
odour detectors through to trained rats all pose as possible inroads
to speed up the process of mine removal. However, the manual deminer
equipped with a detector is without a doubt the most efficient
and effective asset in dealing with the threat within the OES
project area.
At some stage of most mine clearance tasks, even those involving
remote mechanical clearance, there will be a person with a detector
or a prodder or both somewhere in the clearance equation, even
if it is just in a QA role. Once the human element is introduced
then the risk factor to human safety is substantially increased.
It is particularly at this juncture that all and every effort
is made to protect the de-miner and to minimise the risk(s) to
the individual concerned.
Manual De-Mining within OES
All deminers working in the OES project wear an Apron and Visor
as minimum standard protective personal equipment (PPE). In addition
one of the OES contractors insists that the de-miner wears safety
goggles under the visor while working in the minefield. Also in
theatre de-miners wear kneepads, and on occasion elbow pads and
Kevlar gloves. Not all these measures are to protect the de-miner
from blast injuries; some are for protection against sharp vegetation,
rocks and hard ground in the minefield.
As with all de-mining tasks, the most important aspect of the
project is the actual physical clearance. This has to be done
both safely and effectively. While the emphasis and responsibility
placed upon every de-miner varies from site to site, the success
of a project lies ultimately with him/her. Within the minefield
a variety of systems are put in place to assist and ensure that
targets can be met and safety reinforced at every level and stage
of the operation. These are laid down in the organisations SOP
and adherence is monitored by the Team Leaders, Supervisors and
internal Quality Assurance mechanism’s to ensure these procedures
are implemented as defined.
In addition to well maintained equipment the MCT is supported
with Medics and adequately equipped ambulances, trained drivers
and good communication systems to support their team colleagues.
All of the above factors are obviously important, however without
correct and thorough training in all aspects of the de-miners
role and responsibilities then problems will invariably occur
in the field. Correct and thorough training is the responsibility
of the clearance organisation and confirmation of this is sought
through the accreditation
process.
The UN has a responsibility to the UAE government to ensure that
the project achievements are effective and as efficient as possible.
In this regard, the MACC SL has an external system of Quality
Assurance in place to ensure that in addition to the company’s
SOP, the mine clearance contractors are also adhering to the country
specific National Technical Standards and Guidelines (TSG)’s
drawn from the International Mine Action Standards (IMAS).
Prior to any demining operations beginning on the ground a “chain”
of events and key personnel exists in various positions with various
agencies all interacting to ensure that the de-miner is supported
to the best standard possible. All these systems are designed
to make the de-mining environment safer, if not the actual act
of demining.
One key support to the Manual Clearance Team (MCT) is a detailed
Task Dossier the mine clearance organisation receives for each
Task Site from the MACC SL. See Example
Task Dossier.
To further assist in making the information contained in the
Task Dossier more reliable the MACC SL has their own Community
Liaison Team whose role it is to enhance the reliability of
information passed by the community through to the MACC SL about
further suspected or Dangerous Areas.
Only after an exhaustive system of General and Technical Survey
is conducted and a risk assessment made will an asset by deployed
into an area to conduct clearance.
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