MANUAL MINE CLEARANCE

Transcription

1 1. INTRODUCTION MANUAL MINE CLEARANCE 1.1 Humanitarian demining techniques used during each project may differ according to equipment, the terrain, type of mines / UXO, etc. All procedures used in clearance operations are to be fully explained in step-by-step detail in the mine action organisations SOP. The following are established humanitarian demining clearance procedures and although, certain techniques may vary between mine action organisations, these shall be recognised as the minimum standard required by the UNMAO in Sudan. 2. STANDARDS, METHODOLOGY & ACTIONS ON 2.1 The following are established humanitarian demining clearance procedures and although, certain techniques may vary between mine action organisations, these shall be recognised as the minimum standard required by the UNMAO in Sudan. a. Clearance Depth: The minimum depth when searching for mines is 13 cm (130 mm), measured from the surface of the ground to the top of the mine. Any reduction must be authorised by the UNMAO. The depth shall be increased when required. b. Clearance Lane: A manual mine clearance deminer is responsible for clearing a one metre wide lane using one or a combination of the following recognised methods: (1) Hand-held metal detector. (2) Prodding. (3) Excavation. c. Visual Search: Prior to conducting a manual search, a visual search of the unclear area shall be conducted. As a minimum, the area where the manual search is to be performed shall be visually searched. The following should be considered when conducting the visual search: (1) Tripwires, cords. (2) Protruding fuses, mines, UXO, booby-traps. (3) Disturbance to the ground. (4) Depressions, holes, mounds. (5) Suspicious objects (inconsistent to the surroundings). (6) Other mine / UXO indicators (packaging, components, animal remains). Page 1 of 9

2 d. Detection of Tripwires: If the vegetation permits, a tripwire feeler may be used to locate tripwires. This should be made from light-gauge wire and fabricated in such a way to allow the detection of both slack and taut wires. Starting from a crouched/ kneeling or prone position, the tripwire feeler is moved along the ground, forward of the base stick and raised slowly upwards until clear of the vegetation or head height when standing. This is completed a minimum of three times, over the full width of the clearance lane and overlap. In order to deploy the trip wire feeler safely, the operator should be able to see the end of the feeler at all times. If the vegetation does not allow the use of a tripwire feeler, the search is completed using the eyes and hands. After a thorough visual check of the area, search the area by slowly moving the hands forward, gently parting any thick vegetation that may obscure tripwires. The deminer shall not pull vegetation and avoid touching any trip wires. e. Clearance of Vegetation: The clearance of vegetation is to be done in a safe, controlled method, avoiding any disturbance of vegetation outside the width of the lane plus overlap. If necessary, one hand shall be used to hold the tree, branch, or clump of vegetation, while the other uses the cutting tool. All vegetation is to be cut to as close to the ground as is safely possible and placed in a cleared area, ensuring that it does not become an obstacle. When cutting vegetation, the operator shall ensure that a visual inspection is made and that the tool does not make contact with the ground. Caution shall be taken when cutting vegetation to avoid heavy vegetation from falling into the unclear area. f. Use of Metal Detector: Prior to its use, the metal detector shall be checked to ensure that it is functioning correctly. The detector shall be used to check the one metre wide lane and, as a safety margin, a minimum 10 cm and maximum of 50 cm overlap to the sides of the lane. The metal detector search shall be conducted to a maximum distance of 50 cm forward of the base stick, ensuring that the area is checked at least twice. The detector search process shall incorporate an overlap, ensuring that the distance moved forward is at least ten centimetres less than the distance searched with the detector, therefore, providing a minimum of ten centimetres safety margin. The sensitivity of the metal detector is to be checked regularly in accordance with the manufacturer guidelines and organisation SOP to ensure that it is capable of searching the ground to the required depth. Details for the calibration of the detector shall be included in the Organisation SOP s. Page 2 of 9

3 Min 10cm Limit of travel of metal detector Overlap Position of Base Stick after search Max 40cm Cleared Max 50 cm 1m Uncleared Area Progression of lane 10-50cm Overlap Figure 4.1 Use of the Metal Detector g. Detector Signal, Isolation & Marking: Prior to investigating the detector signal, the precise location of the signal shall be identified and marked. Nothing shall be placed on the area of the detector signal. A signal marker shall be placed before the closest point of the signal or isolation markers maybe used to mark the extremities of the signal. No attempt should be made to mark the rear of the signal from this position. If it is deemed necessary, then, it should be approached from a cleared area from another side. Extreme caution shall be taken when using these markers to ensure that they are carefully positioned outside the site of the signal. Page 3 of 9

4 Limit of travel of metal detector Detector Signal Signal Marker Isolation Markers Maximum 50 cm 1m Uncleared Area Progression of lane Figure 4.2 Detector Signal Marking h. Prodding & Excavation: Once the precise location of the signal has been identified using the metal detector, the source of the signal shall be investigated to identify it. This shall be done by prodding and/or excavating (1) Prodding shall commence a minimum of ten centimetres back from the nearest point of the signal and to the required width, which, is dependent on the size of the signal. All prodding is to be at an angle </> than thirty degrees and at maximum intervals of two point five centimetres. The prodder is to be used with an even motion, avoiding any excessive force or stabbing. The depth prodded shall be dependent on the ground conditions, search depth and tool design. If it is not possible to conduct prodding from the surface of the ground to the required search depth, then a certain amount of excavation shall be conducted in order to achieve the required prodding depth. Alternatively, the prodding procedure may be replaced with excavation (sapping) only. In hard ground, resulting from extremely dry conditions, water could be used to soften the ground before prodding commences. (2) Excavation (Sapping) is used to reveal the identity/source of the signal. A hole is dug a minimum of ten centimetres back from the nearest point of the signal to a minimum depth of fifteen centimetres. The trowel (or similar tool) is used to slowly remove the soil towards the location of the source of the signal. Any excessive pressure and Page 4 of 9

5 abrupt movements with the trowel shall be avoided. The prodder may also be used in conjunction with the excavation process. If an object is not located after using the prodder and excavation to the required depth, the Supervisor will decide whether further investigation is required. i. Action on Locating Metal The metal shall be carefully removed from the ground and placed it in the metal contamination pit. The area where the metal was removed from shall be checked visually and with the metal detector for additional signals, prior to moving forward. j. Action on Locating Mines/UXO The deminer shall stop mine clearance activities, place a mine marker a minimum ten centimetres before the mine/uxo and notify the supervisor through the chain of command. The supervisor is responsible for ensuring all actions relating to the removal or destruction of the mine/uxo in situ are carried out correctly and by a qualified EOD operator. The lane may be cordoned and mine clearance activities started in a new lane. No personnel shall be allowed past a located mine/uxo in a one metre wide clearance lane. In circumstances where the mine/uxo is not destroyed or removed immediately, the deminer shall be moved to an alternative lane or clearance shall be conducted to safely bypass the mine/uxo. No mine clearance should be conducted within fifty metres of a located mine/uxo. Min 10 cm Mine Marker Figure 4.3 Marking of Located Mine / UXO k. Disposal of Mines/UXO Where possible all mines/uxo should be destroyed in situ. If this is not possible, or proves to be impractical, the mines/uxo shall be manually neutralised/ disarmed and moved to a secure location. All mines shall be pulled prior to neutralising/disarming if it is suspected that they are booby-trapped. The planned destruction of located mines should be carried out during or after each working day unless a specific safety hazard (or lack/limited amount of explosives) prevents this. Only qualified EOD personnel shall conduct demolitions or render safe procedures. Page 5 of 9

6 Where mines/uxo are not destroyed on the day that they are found, they are to be accurately reported in the organisations daily clearance log and destroyed as soon as possible. If they are not destroyed by the end of the working week, the organisation is to ensure they are included on the weekly progress report for the task submitted to the UNRMAO and an explanation given. l. Action on Locating a Tripwire The deminer shall stop mine clearance activity and place 3 x small red stones a minimum of ten centimetres before and in the direction of the trip wire (see Figure 4.4) and then notify the supervisor. The supervisor is responsible for ensuring that both ends of the tripwire are located and appropriate action is taken depending on what is found at each end. It is stressed that the method employed in tracing the tripwire should at all times ensure that deminers tasked do not become isolated. Conditions should always allow for swift, safe and effective Casevac to be conducted should an accident occur. Whilst tracing a tripwire there shall be no other activities within fifty metres. 10cm Figure 4.3 Marking of tripwire Page 6 of 9

7 m. Pulling Procedure When it is necessary to remotely pull a mine/uxo or other item, the supervisor is responsible for the pulling procedure. All personnel not involved in the pulling operation are to be withdrawn to a safe area and sentries posted. A pulling cable (made of non-stretchable material) shall be unrolled and laid along the clear ground between the pulling point and the location of the item. A sandbag fulcrum should be placed at a safe distance before the item to afford some blast/fragmentation protection, act as a barrier, and provide a greater angle to dislodge the item from its position. Before attaching the cable to the item, a check of the cable and the area of the pull shall be conducted to ensure that there are no kinks, breaks or obstacles which may impede the pulling procedure. EOD evacuation and safety distance calculations should be used to determine how far the pulling point is located from the item to be pulled. This distance shall only be reduced to a minimum of 50 metres when: (1) There is adequate protection from blast and fragmentation in relation to the item to be pulled and the threat from secondary devices. (2) The person conducting the pull is wearing full PPE (helmet/visor and body armour) and is close the ground, ensuring that the PPE is affording the maximum protection possible. This shall only be conducted as a last resort and when there is no alternative protection from blast and fragmentation. (3) The following shall be considered when conducting the pulling drill: (a) The type of ordnance (eg, mine, mortar, grenade, projectile, rocket, sub-munition). (b) The function of the ordnance (eg, blast, fragmentation). (c) The condition of the ordnance (eg, fused/unfused, unfired/safe, blind). (d) The explosive quantity of the ordnance. (e) Booby-traps / secondary devices. (f) Proximity of personnel, animals, equipment and buildings. Once all personnel have retired to the safe area, a hook/clip is attached or the cable is tied to the item. The item is pulled in a slow, continuous movement, avoiding any sharp, jerking action. A minimum wait-time of 60 seconds is to be allowed before approaching the item. The type of UXO or mine being pulled shall dictate requirements for extended wait times. If signs of smoke are seen from the area where the item is located, a wait-time of at least 30 minutes shall be enforced, commencing from the last signs of smoke. After the wait-time has elapsed, the sentries shall remain in position while the pulled item is checked. This is a one-man risk and shall be conducted by an EOD qualified person. Once the item is identified and made safe, the original position of the item is then checked as per normal manual mine clearance procedures for any sign of mines, UXO or boobytrap devices. Page 7 of 9

8 Page 8 of 9 Chapter 4 n. High Metallic Areas In areas where the metallic content of the soil is high, the metal detector may be ineffective. The detector procedure shall be replaced with a complete prodding and/or excavating procedure to ensure that all mines/uxo are located to the required depth. The minimum depth to be excavated is 15 centimetres and the complete width of the one metre wide lane shall be investigated to this depth. The detector should be used to regularly check the soil contamination level and confirm whether the complete prodding and excavation process can be replaced with the detector procedure. Alternatively, mark the boundary of the high metallic area for clearance by MDD or mechanical means. The size of the area, type of terrain and the availability of alternative clearance assets will determine the most efficient method of clearance to use. o. Mountainous and Rocky Terrain In areas where the ground is mountainous and rocky, there may be a requirement to remove rocks (E.g., physical hazard, suspicion that a mine/uxo is beneath the rocks, ghost signal ). Therefore, the Supervisor shall make a decision on the best clearance method(s) (E.g., lifting, detector search, prodding and/or excavation, pulling drill). When removing rocks by hand, caution shall be made so as to avoid disturbing the ground and the rocks should be lifted vertically. p. Clearance of Obstacles During the clearance of minefields, obstacles should be identified and special clearance drills adopted as required. (E.g., sapping, pulling, EOD).Those obstacles that cannot be cleared immediately are to be marked and if necessary fenced for future clearance operations. The supervisor on site must give consideration to the approach and clearance method used for each type of obstacle encountered. q. Burning of Vegetation in Unclear Areas Burning of unclear areas may be conducted in order to remove vegetation to facilitate mine clearance operations. Prior to commencing burning, the organisation concerned shall liaise with the UNMAO and local authorities. Caution must be exercised by the organisation and the burning must be controlled in order to prevent the undesired burning of other areas and cause an unacceptable risk to the local population. The results from burning must be considered, such as, the altered state and instability of mines and UXO. Any demining organisation conduct burning of unclear areas is to ensure that the following precautions are adhered to: (1) Inform the UNMAO and local authorities. (2) If possible, inform the local emergency fire services. (3) If necessary, construct a firebreak to prevent the fire from spreading. (4) Ensure that adequate precautions are taken to extinguish any small fires in cleared areas. (eg, fire extinguishers, sand). (5) Calculate the blast / fragmentation safety distance depending on the threat (eg, mines/uxo) and post sentries accordingly. (6) Inform the UNMAO and relevant authorities on completion of burning. (7) Allow a 24 hour soak time, from the last signs of smoke before conducting demining operations in the burned area.

9 r. Working Hours A manual mine clearance deminer shall not work for longer than sixty (60) minutes before taking a break of at least ten (10) minutes. The working time may vary between organisations and specific situations (eg, climate), however, the aforementioned times shall be adhered to. A normal working day for a manual mine clearance deminer shall not exceed 6 hours actual mine clearance work a day. In excessive climatic conditions, the working hours may be reduced or the daily routine changed. A safe and sensible approach shall be made by the demining organisation supervisor in order to achieve the best possible mine clearance results without compromising the safety of demining personnel. Page 9 of 9