IMAS 09.31 – PRINCIPLE 5. SAFE WAITING (SOAK) TIMES Appropriate safe waiting times should be applied after a positive action is conducted.
Safe waiting times are used to mitigate a number of risks during an RSP.
As with any demolition, there is a risk of a misfire occurring that could subsequently cause the IED to detonate. For IEDs that do not incorporate timers, a safe waiting period of 10 minutes for electrical IEDs or 30 minutes for non-electrical IEDs should be applied after positive actions that could cause a misfire to occur. For example, if an action such as severing an electrical link were to cause a misfire in an electrical IED, then applying a safe waiting period before the next manual approach would mitigate this risk to the IEDD operator. Safe waiting periods can also be used for IEDs that incorporate timers as firing switches or as safe-to-arm switches. This is especially pertinent for mechanical timers that may have become ‘stuck-fast’ by dust or dirt after the device has been emplaced by the armed group. Movement caused by remote or semi- remote action could then cause the mechanical clockwork mechanism to restart.
ׁ WARNING. MA organisations should not be faced with a time IED that is still actively ‘counting down’. However, in some circumstances, it will be essential to consider longer safe waiting times than these 10-min. or 30-min. periods.
If there is any possibility of a mechanical timer restarting during an RSP, the safe waiting time should be the maximum period which the timer can be set to, plus a reasonable safety factor. For example, if the known or assessed mechanical timer is 60 minutes, then it would be appropriate to apply a safe waiting period of 80 minutes.
ׁ WARNING. At times it is essential to consider applying safe waiting times longer than 10-minute or 30-minute periods. The application of these longer safe waiting times is applicable whether the timer is being used as a firing switch or a safe-to-arm switch.
IEDD in mine action – overview
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