Accident Response to Mitigate Risk: A Call to Action

Gates: Accident Response to Mitigate Risk A Call to Action By Lillian Gates [ Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement, Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, U.S. Department of State ] E ffective accident response in humanitarian mine action (HMA) contributes to increased safety in future demining work. Mine action organizations play a variety of roles in the improvement of accident response, with the U.S. Department of State’s Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement in the Bureau of Political-Military Affairs (PM/WRA) being the most recent to adjust their accident response process by establishing the Accident Review Panel (ARP). This panel consolidates the office’s efforts and allows for standardized accident response protocol and the collection and analysis of accident data. Other organizations active in cultivating better accident responses include the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS), The HALO Trust (HALO), Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD), private accident specialists such as Andy Smith and his Database of Demining Accidents (DDAS), and other mine action actors. Accident response continues to improve as organizations focus on best practices such as accident preparedness, conducting quality investigations and reports, and promoting a culture of openness when sharing lessons learned. Through continuous dedication to best practices in accident response, the HMA community may see improved safety in future projects and demining endeavors. Although members of the HMA community employ an array of safety protocols to mitigate risk, the unfortunate reality is that accidents happen. Effective accident response is key to learning from mistakes and enhancing the safety of future demining projects. PM/WRA recently launched an initiative designed to take steps towards improved accident management. The newly established ARP will standardize PM/WRA’s response to accidents happening within the office’s grant-funded projects, as well as enable the office to store and track trends in accident data over time. This approach is one of many ways that the HMA community is responding to accidents. Accident response continues to improve, especially with a greater focus on preparedness, quality investigations and response, and the promotion of a culture of openness. This technical report surveys the current state of accident reporting and concludes with potential best practices and improvements for future accident management. IMAS One of the most well-known guides for accident response is the International Mine Action Standards (IMAS). IMAS 10.60 was first published in 2001 and has most recently been updated in the 2020 revised second edition titled, “Safety & occupational health – Investigation and reporting of accidents and incidents.”1 The IMAS Review Board—under the leadership of UNMAS, with secretariat support from the GICHD and comprised of over twenty national representatives, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), and other entities—must reach consensus among the many stakeholder perspectives. As a result, the standards reflect a baseline level of compliance but provide a plethora of elective recommendations for ideal accident response. Most members of the HMA community follow IMAS guidance and recommendations. Published by JMU Scholarly Commons, 2021 This newest iteration of IMAS 10.60 streamlines the postaccident process into two stages: an immediate report completed within twenty-four hours of the accident or incident, followed by a detailed investigation and final report completed as quickly as possible. The revised second edition also places a heavy emphasis on gathering evidence through interviews, physical examination, etc., as well as conducting investigations that are “clear, comprehensive, evidence-based, and timely” to “reduce the likelihood of harm to the lowest practicable level.”2 During the reporting process, investigators are encouraged to conduct a causal analysis to identify potential causes of accidents that could inform remedial actions. IMAS 10.60 also promotes unbiased investigating/reporting and suggests practices of peer review, extensive evidence ISSUE 25.2 @ FALL-WINTER 2021 1 19 The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction, Vol. 25, Iss. 2 [2021], Art. 5 gathering, and detailed recordkeeping throughout the entire accident reporting process. 3 These standards provide guidance for how accident responses should be conducted and set the precedent for many in the HMA community. The Department of State In 2021, PM/WRA introduced the ARP as a new method for If insufficient, the panel can draft suggestions for the implementing accident reporting management. Before the ARP was established, organization. The ARP has been established to emphasize the United States’ accidents occurring within U.S.-funded projects were managed by PM/WRA’s respective grant officers and program managers. The commitment to the safety of all demining personnel on U.S.-funded implementing partners would notify the office of accidents and projects. To ensure an environment of openness, Tirre emphasized submit a formal report on the event. In contrast to the now central- that the panel’s goal is not to carry out punishments or conduct ized system, individual grant officers would maintain jurisdiction independent PM/WRA investigations of incidents, but to promote over the accident reports and remedial actions deemed appropriate a culture of safety and cooperation. Should remedial action be for each situation. ARP chair Michael Tirre, a program manager in necessary, the panel can suggest potential corrective actions to the PM/WRA, expressed that this traditional “one-off” process made grant manager. The ARP will also contribute to international mine it difficult to ensure a standardized approach to cataloging and action literature. Tirre stated that the ARP will consolidate cases responding to accidents on U.S.-funded awards. It also limited PM/ the panel reviews and potentially could share general information WRA’s ability to identify trends over time. on any trends observed with the greater mine action community In 2020, PM/WRA received an unusually high number of dem- that could contribute to more effective preventative training and ining accident reports, underscoring the importance of address- education for deminers, and ultimately fewer accidents.5 ing accidents in the field. Responding to this concern, in 2020 the office established the Safety and Accountability Working Group to improve safety with implementing partners. The working group identified the need for a more permanent Accident & and standardized response to accidents. As a result, the ARP Initial Response was established in the spring/summer of 2021 as a standing panel ready to convene in response to accident reports. Tirre explained that the panel seeks to better report and respond Improved Safety Full Investigation to accidents as well as identify trends that can infor (...truncated)