IMAS 09.31 – PRINCIPLE 7. CORDON AND EVACUATION Appropriate cordon and evacuation should be in place before conducting any positive action. Cordon and evacuation during an explosive incident save lives. Appropriate distances can be assessed using TNMA 10.20/01 Estimation of Explosion Danger Areas. The danger area should be cordoned off and evacuated prior to any positive EOD action taking place. This underpins IMAS IEDD Principle 4 (one-person risk) and ensures that in the case that an IED functions prematurely, or as a direct result of positive EOD action, then the community remains safe from the effects of blast and / or fragmentation. Cooperation from other agencies such as the security forces may be required to achieve these cordons and evacuations, as MA staff are unlikely to have any legal remit. It is extremely unlikely that a safe and robust cordon and evacuation plan can be put in place without liaison with these agencies. IMAS 09.31 – PRINCIPLE 8. COMPONENT HANDLING All IED components should be moved remotely or semi-remotely prior to any manual handling.
Image 6. Preparing H&L equipment to semi-remotely remove a main charge. The spade handle will act as a fulcrum to lift and pull the main charge
The level of movement should be sufficient to provide confidence that the item(s) is safe to handle manually. At a minimum an item should be moved through all its planes and entirely out from its original location. Often it is not feasible to completely search around an item, such as a buried main charge, or inside an item where there could be a secondary device.
If the threat assessment identifies a likely secondary device or switch / initiation system, then further remote and semi-remote actions should be considered prior to manual handling.
IEDD in mine action – overview
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