Preventive measures for safe and healthy working with mines in multinational operations
Abstract
After the re-admission of the Republic of Serbia to the United Nations (UN), members of the Ministry of Defence ( MoD) and the Serbian Army Forces (SAF) have been engaged in multinational operations (MNOP). The first engagement of three military observers was in UN MNOP in East Timor (UNMISET) from 26.06.2002. Until the closing of the mission, there were five members of the MoD and SAF engaged. Currently, there are 247 members of the MoD in 10 UN MNOP worldwide, engaged in different roles. During UN multinational operations, one of the key problems is posed when encountering some kind of explosive ordnance (referred to in the article as MES). In order to avoid consequences of improper explosive ordnance handling, full attention has to be paid to prevention, i.e. good preparation, During the preparation of MoD and SAF members to be sent to UN MNOP, the main problems concern professional staff (a small number of qualified and trained instructors) and necessary literature. The paper presents a review of the currently available literature and the experience of the MoD and SAF members who were engaged in UN MNOP in dealing with explosive ordnance, notably mines.
Introduction
The method of choosing MoD members for participatingin UN MNOP is given as well as the tabular review of the engagement of the MoD and SAF members in UN MNOP from 2002 to the present.
Basic concepts related to mines
This part deals with the basic theoretical aspects of mines according to NATO literature. The basic types of mines, based on the application criterion, are explained.
Measures and procedures for safe work with mines
The basic procedures of detecting land mines and their further treatment, in accordance with the regulations applied in UN MNOP, are given. This part of the text is enriched with illustrations offering a better explanation of the procedures and a possibility of visualizing them.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the article emphasizes a necessity to increase a number of appropriate written sources as well astrained instructors in order to improve training and raise the level of preparation of MoD and SAF individuals and units for their engagement in UN MNOP.
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