3.1.5. PHASE 5 - FINAL DISPOSAL AND REPORTING
FINAL DISPOSAL
All IED components containing explosives will need to be subject to final disposal actions. The preferred method for this is by explosive demolition. This highlights an additional benefit of conducting destruction in situ as this disposal procedure eliminates the requirement for final disposal. Even when it may not be possible to conduct demolition of an IED in situ, the situation may permit for explosive demolition nearby in a local disposal area with no, or only minor, changes to the cordon that was enforced for the RSP. This eliminates transportation and storage difficulties. Where explosive components need to be transported and / or stored for subsequent disposal, NMAS must be applied. If national standards do not exist, MA organisations should apply the general principles given in IMAS 10.50 Storage, transportation and handling of explosives. Collecting explosive IED components for subsequent bulk demolition is logistically a more efficient approach than disposing of all items individually. The advantages are apparent when large quantities of IEDs are being disposed of, or when working in an urban environment in which finding an appropriate disposal site locally is difficult. One item that may present significant difficulty with handling, transportation and storage is an improvised detonator. Where demolition in situ of an IED main charge is not possible, consideration should be given to demolition of the improvised detonator only, which will have a smaller NEQ and is therefore likely to pose less of an issue.
Other disposal techniques which can be used, although with limitations, are:
• Disposal by burning (low order techniques). Useful when a high order technique is not suitable. However, effectiveness of this technique varies greatly depending on the type, quantity and condition of the explosives. It takes far more time to complete the procedure, whilst still requiring the same size cordon as for a high order technique. It is advisable to only dispose of small quantities at a time. • Mechanical breakdown. The use of a demining machine to break apart the IED main charges is a potential option when they are not deemed safe to transport by other means. However, the remaining bulk explosive must be dealt with appropriately, and with the high probability that toxic chemicals are present, due consideration to environmental factors is essential.
REPORTING
Gathering technical information on IEDs and reporting it is an essential process in an MA IED clearance operation. This technical data informs many other processes from national threat analysis, tasking, planning, search and disposal. IMAS 05.10 Information Management for Mine Action gives guidance on information collection and analysis. An IEDD operator will be responsible for three main reports: Post disposal reporting to the search team. On completion of a disposal task it is recommended the IEDD operator gives a verbal report on the IED to the search team. It is advised that at a minimum it should include:
• Method of initiation;
• Description of main components (particularly firing switches);
• Depth, layout and orientation of components.
Where possible, the IEDD operator should show the search team the recovered components. This will aid in recognising components specific to the task site. It will also aid supervisors in ensuring that detectors are set to the appropriate sensitivity and, if necessary, amend the operational threat assessment and clearance plan.
IEDD task conduct
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