IMAS 09.31 – PRINCIPLE 6. PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE) ON ALL APPROACHES Appropriate PPE should be worn on all manual approaches to a suspected IED.
Image 5. MA IEDD operator using a full explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) suit during the RSP of a VBIED
PPE should be used as mitigation in the event of an accident (as referred to in IMAS 10.30 Safety & occupational health - PPE).
The primary mitigation should be factors reducing the likelihood of an accident occurring in the first place. A risk assessment should therefore be conducted to ensure that the PPE is suitable and does not in itself increase the probability of an accident occurring. It is important to remember that IEDD bomb suits were originally designed to protect an IEDD operator on the approach to and from an IED. This was not only to mitigate the threat of an active time or command initiated IED, but to take account of an IED’s improvised and unpredictable nature. IEDD operators in an MA context are frequently dealing with buried or concealed victim operated IEDs (VOIEDs), and in such circumstances avoiding degradation, and maintaining dexterity and situational awareness are paramount.
ׁ HINT. Situations may arise where wearing the full PPE specified in SOPs could increase the risk to the IEDD operator. There should be appropriate provisions and referrals to control the removal of PPE.
IEDD in mine action – overview
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