Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Ddasaccident820, Hd-Aid

Global CWD Repository

It appears that the explosive hazard was a small IED concealed or wrapped in plastic (which is common with IEDs). The only recorded injury was a severe foot injury that resulted in surgical amputation, from which it is reasonable to infer that the Victim stepped on a pressure initiated explosive device that he had missed during his search.

Ddasaccident821, Hd-Aid

Global CWD Repository

A bomb explosion killed two of three “unlicensed” men who were hired to carry out mine clearance in O’Svay commune, in Oddar Meanchey province’s Trapaing Prasat district.

The primary cause of this accident is listed as ‘Inadequate training’ because the deminers were working without applying basic safety rules. This is apparent because Victim No.2 was brewing tea alongside the excavation being conducted by Victim No.1. The secondary cause is listed as a ‘Field control inadequacy’ because the mature team member (who may have been experienced) was not paying attention to the work of the young men as he went to …

Ddasaccident819, Hd-Aid

Global CWD Repository

The primary cause of this accident is listed as a ‘Field control inadequacy’ because the person in charge at the site had decided to move fuzed explosive hazards and did not enforce safety distances that would have reduced the casualty toll in the event of an accident.

The secondary cause is listed as ‘Inadequate training’, because, while all of the victims had extensive experience, it seems that their training had not prepared them to conduct this task safely.

It is surprising that five ex-pat specialists who had been supervising the teams of national deminers who found the mines should have …

Ddas: Investigating A Metal Detector Reading, Hd-Aid

Global CWD Repository

What follows are basic procedures that you can edit and refine to suit your equipment and working preferences. They presume that deminers operate in a "One-man procedure ", with the same deminer performing all tasks during a working shift. When there is not enough equipment for each deminer to be issued with a detector and tools, two-man teams can be deployed. In a two-man team, a one-man procedure is still used. One person works while the other rests, and each individual performs all the tasks required for clearance during his/her shift.

Ddas: Crunching Data From The Database Of Demining Accidents, Hd-Aid

Global CWD Repository

In the database of demining accidents, injuries are classed as either Severe or Minor. Injuries likely to be life threatening, to require surgery or to result in permanent disability are rated as Severe. All others are rated as Minor. This distinction is for convenience and is not intended to reflect on the discomfort and/or hardship associated with the injury. In some cases, injuries were not recorded in detail but I have resisted the temptation to infer detail. Note that, in very severe injuries, only the most severe injury is generally recorded.

Ddas: Manual Demining Handtool Design Criteria, Hd-Aid

Global CWD Repository

The research I have carried out on tool development has been based on accident studies, field trials and my experience in both demining and in manufacturing in small workshops. The research led to the evolution of the following criteria and constraints. I believe that these are essential requirements when designing hand-tools for use when excavating anti-personnel blast mines. Tools used during other demining activities may not have the same requirements.

Ddas Suggested Training Uses: Management Training, Hd-Aid

Global CWD Repository

Increasingly, managers in HD are management specialists with little or no field experience. If so, they usually delegate responsibility for training and operational needs to another person, often an "Ops Manager". The manager or Ops Manager will be in charge of all training and/or refresher training, so they should read the training suggestions for deminers, paramedics and field supervisors as well as those given here.

Because the accident database is a collection of reports covering events when things did not go as planned, the examples drawn from it are usually "negative" - what not to do, rather than what to …

Ddas: Using The Database Of Demining Accidents, Hd-Aid

Global CWD Repository

The author has maintained a database of demining accidents for four years. It contains records of many of the explosive accidents that deminers suffer while going about their work. This article explains the uses and limitations of the database and the software developed to contain it.

Ddas: Metal Detector Set-Up, Hd-Aid

Global CWD Repository

There must always be absolute confidence in the metal-detector’s ability to locate the target device at the required depth before Metal-detector clearance drills are applied. It is important to set-up the metal-detector appropriately for two main reasons. First it gives the Supervisors confidence that the ground can be cleared to the required depth. Second, it gives the deminers confidence that they can and will find every mine.

What follows is a basic procedure for use with all the current models of metal-detector that I know. It is intended to provide a basis that you can edit and refine to suit …

Ddas Suggested Training Uses: Paramedic Training, Hd-Aid

Global CWD Repository

The examples of medical treatment in the database are rarely well detailed. When they are, they provide examples of both "positive" and "negative" responses to accidents. some of the worst negative responses are not the responsibility of the medic - who were simply not provided with the equipment or ambulance that they need. Parts of the reports may be used in lectures or presentations or they can be distributed for critical discussion.

Ddas Suggested Training Uses: Deminer Training, Hd-Aid

Global CWD Repository

The database provides real-world examples that can be used as training aids. This will often reinforce what is considered to be common sense. Be aware that the database records prove (beyond reasonable doubt) that some commonsense wisdom is incorrect.

For example, it is a myth that the most dangerous time for deminers is shortly after their initial training. On the contrary, there is some evidence to suggest that deminers actually become more likely to have an accident the longer they work as a deminer.

Ddas: Suggested Training Uses, Hd-Aid

Global CWD Repository

The most common use of these records in training is to provide an example of what happens when things are done in the wrong way. This can be a powerful reinforcement of a lesson about doing things the right way. The database can also be a training aid for paramedics and for field and office managers.

Ddas Suggested Training Uses: Supervisor/Field Management Training, Hd-Aid

Global CWD Repository

Field supervisors or managers should also read the suggested training needs for deminers because they will often be in charge of the deminers' training and/or refresher training. When they have any training concerns, they must report this in writing to the Senior Management in order to avoid censure if accidents result from inadequate training.

Because the accident database is a collection of reports covering events when things did not go as planned, the examples drawn from it are usually "negative" - what not to do, rather than what to do. They can be useful to explain the need for rules. …

Ddas Or Rapid?, Hd-Aid

Global CWD Repository

In 2015, Tajikistan became the first country to make all of its demining accident data available. Congratulations to the Tajikistan National Mine Action Centre (TNMAC), a government controlled body that has set an international standard for transparency.

Despite its popularity, and the frequent reference made to the database when updating international and national Mine Action standards, the DDAS has no formal support.

The nominal Humanitarian Mine Action industry leader is the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS). UNMAS make no effort to collect and study accident records but, in 2011 when I left the IMAS Review Board, they began to …

Ddas: "Accidents" Or "Incidents", Hd-Aid

Global CWD Repository

When I started writing about demining accidents I tried to form a sensible distinction between the terms "accident" and "incident". I decided to call an unintended explosive event (or an intended explosive event that resulted in injury) an "incident". This was because an "Incident report" would be generated from which lessons that might prevent repetition of the event might be derived. I noted that the word "accident" was used for all unintended occurrences, from dropping the kettle to a car crash, but did not always apply to an intentional event that resulted in an injury. So, at that time, the …

Ddas: Introduction, Hd-Aid

Global CWD Repository

The DDAS software was designed by me in 1998 using the Microsoft Access engine and a Visual Basic front-end. This was revised and became a relational database in 2003. The software can be used to display existing datasets or to record your own. Field names can be edited and replaced with names in another language and the content of dropdown pick-lists is easily customised. Originally distributed on CD, it is not generally given out any more but despite being dated and cludgy, it can still be used many later operating systems.

Ddas: Metal Detector Search, Hd-Aid

Global CWD Repository

What follows are basic procedures for use with all the current models of metal detector that I know. It is intended to provide a basis that you can edit and refine to suit your equipment and working preferences.

Ddasaccident813, Hd-Aid

Global CWD Repository

The report of this accident is compiled from press reports, edited for anonymity. Text in square brackets [ ] is editorial.

In a land mine clearance operation along the China-Vietnam boarder in Yunnan Province, Southwest China on October 11, [the Victim] chose to handle the complex situation by himself after asking his partner to step back. The explosion took [the Victim]'s both hands and eyes.

The Victim was defusing a mine when the accident occurred. Although no particular mine is mentioned, a Chinese Type 58 anti-personnel blast mine is inferred because it is shown in photographs and a fragmentation mine …

Ddas: The Database Of Demining Accidents - A Driving Force In Hma, Hd-Aid

Global CWD Repository

I started the Database of Demining Accidents (DDAS) in 1998 using public data gathered for the United States Army Communications-Electronics Command, Night Vision & Electronic Sensors Directorate. When they declined to publish and update the database, I did so with their tacit approval but no funding support. I did this in the hope of improving safety for deminers. The database is an easy-to use system containing the original demining accident reports overlaid with easy-search summaries.

Ddasaccident816, Hd-Aid

Global CWD Repository

Three workers of the [International demining organisation] have been killed and two injured in a mine explosion in Azerbaijan's separatist Nagorno-Karabakh region. All the victims were local residents.

Employees of the [International demining organisation] … were in a vehicle conducting surveys when the explosion occurred. Two individuals were also wounded and have been taken to hospital with both requiring surgery.

Ddasaccident815, Hd-Aid

Global CWD Repository

Mine explodes when Australian military trainers were working with Cambodian colleagues 50km from Phnom Penh. An Australian and a Cambodian were killed and a second Australian injured when a landmine was accidentally detonated during a military training exercise west of Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

The primary cause of this accident is listed as a ‘Management control inadequacy’ because either the base was being used for training that the senior management did not know about or it was being used to allow tourists to fire weapons, which the senior management did not know about. Either way, the senior management failed to retain …

Ddasaccident829, Hd-Aid

Global CWD Repository

On the 6th of February 2018 at [International demining organization] task MF-1115, an uncontrolled detonation of 2 No 4A AP mines occurred while [International demining organization] MAT 2 Site Supervisor [the Victim] was preparing for demolitions.

The injuries sustained by [the Victim] resulted in: Amputation for both hands at forearm level, loss of left eye and some damage to the right eye without knowing if can see with it or not, fractures in the jaw, swelling and small bleeding in the brain, severe wounds and fractures in the face, and partial lung rupture caused by blast-wave but no fragmentations, shrapnel …

Ddasaccident814, Hd-Aid

Global CWD Repository

The accident occurred in one of the remote Mine Field (MF) tasks (HZTJ-335-MM10) located in TAB region of Tajikistan, Shamsiddin Shohin district: 30 km from nearest hospital, 60 min of driving by narrow and bad condition restricted border zone road, and was caused due to hand excavation tool (demining trowel) penetration into the liquid explosive container of an AP blast mine type PFM-1. Penetration, fortunately, did not provoke any detonation, but resulted in rupturing the plastic mine casing and spraying of the liquid explosive charge contents into the eyes, mouth and facial area of the deminer operating the demining tool.

Ddasaccident826, Hd-Aid

Global CWD Repository

On the 6th of September 2017at [International demining organisation] task CBU-575 FO, an uncontrolled detonation of an M77 sub-munitions occurred while [International demining organisation] BAC 2 searcher [the Victim] was working in his lane at 07:33 am, 5 minutes before taking his first break, and led to an injury.

The injuries sustained by [the Victim] resulted in severe wounds and fractures in his hands and legs, fragmentations in the chest and head and injuries to the eyes.

Based on all available evidences, the BOI team concludes that the accident occurred with the searcher while he was cutting vegetation in his …

Ddasaccident817, Hd-Aid

Global CWD Repository

A deminer from the NGO [International demining organisation] was killed in Pailin province on Friday after detonating a mine while attempting to clear an area in the former Khmer Rouge stronghold.

One employee of the British demining organisation [name removed] died and another was injured after an antipersonnel mine exploded while they were working in Pailin province.

The anti-personnel blast mine in this accident was reported as having been a GYATA-64 and as having been a PMN-2. The source reporting it as a PMN-2 was the Cambodian Mine Action Centre so that identification is accepted, especially as the mine is …

Ddasaccident825, Hd-Aid

Global CWD Repository

On the 29th of November 2016 at [International demining organization] task NDO-235 S, an uncontrolled detonation of a GYATA 64 AP mine occurred while [International demining organization] MTT 1 deminer [the Victim] was working in his lane (11 minutes into his second shift) and led to an injury.

The injuries sustained by [the Victim] resulted in the amputation of his left pinky finger, and severe wound in his left index finger, burns in his left wrist, severe wound in his right forearm and some minor wounds and scratches in the front area of his legs.

Based on all available evidences, …

Ddasaccident812, Hd-Aid

Global CWD Repository

On 17/05/2016 the operation manager of [Demining organization involved] has contacted us by telephone to inform about explosion of an IED in their worksite or the risk (Hazard) area 012 in the village of Tal Al-Rabiea /Daquq /Kirkuk and after the call, the in-charge person of Quality Assurance: [Name removed] and his assistant: [Name removed] we have moved toward the location in order to collect necessary information and taking the photos of the place of the incident. According to the information gained by the board it was found that the affected person: [the Victim] has intended to render some IEDs …

Ddasaccident807, Hd-Aid

Global CWD Repository

At 10:50am TL announced a regular ten minutes break and deminers took their rest close to the base line of the MF. TS took one of the deminer’s metal detector MineLab F3S and entered 3m deep into uncleared area. He started investigation of subsurface metal signals. TS called TL [Name removed] who was sitting in the safe area in proximity of 15m from TS. When TL took his first step towards TS the explosion occurred. As a result of explosion force, TS’s helmet hit TL’s chest and TL fell down to the ground. When TL stood up he saw the …

Ddasaccident806, Hd-Aid

Global CWD Repository

The explosion occurred in the mined area of the Khoshima Novobod Qabodiyon community. As a result of a PMN explosion a deminer received light injuries This de-miner had been sent by [Demining group] for the mine clearance operation according to the task.

Ddasaccident804, Hd-Aid

Global CWD Repository

Deminer investigated the mound by detector, than removed it up to the original surface of the ground. During checking the hard surface by detector the deminer detected a subsurface signal. During the excavation of the second layer the sudden detonation of mine occurred.