Pirbright WOKING Surrey GU24 OQQ Telephone [MOD]: Ref: Facsimile [MOD]: E-mail: See Distribution Mar 2020 ASH SMALL ARMS RANGE COMPLEX (INCORPORATING THE RANGE DANGER AREA) MILITARY TRAINING FACILITIES RISK ASSESSMENT References: A. Ash Range Complex Range Standing Orders. B. JSP 375. C. DSA 03 OME Part 3 D. Inf Training Vol IV Pamphlet No 21. E. Range Complex Safety Instruction. F. Defence Deer Management Procedures. G. LSS Assignment Instructions. H. Site Access Instructions. I. UK Training SHEMS V6. GENERAL 1. The Ash range complex Military Training Facilities (MTF) Risk Assessment has been written in addition to Reference A and in accordance with the other references. Conservation groups, including Deer Management have been notified by the Training Safety Officer of the safety control measures and access limitations across the whole of the Range Danger Area (RDA) and the range complex in general. Trying to do everything possible to reduce any risk to ‘As Low as Reasonably Practical (ALARP)’ is at the heart of all site activities and in accordance with the HSW Act. AIM 2. The aim of this MTF Risk Assessment is to identify existing and potential hazards, demonstrate that the appropriate control measures have been put in place and to monitor the overall safety regime across the range complex. Where possible, hazards will be eliminated in their entirely, or significantly reduced. ASH RANGE DANGER AREA 3. The Ash RDA, and Impact Area contained therein, is classed as OPEN as described in Reference C. Ash range complex and RDA is one of the oldest military training areas in England which dates-back to 1 the 18th Century. The ranges are located 3K East of Aldershot and the main entrance to the range complex may be found off the A321 Ash Vale and Heath Vale Bridge Road. The RDA comprises over 800 acres of heath land. The RDA is enclosed by a 1.4m high chain-link fence with a single strand of barbed wire on top; this fence provides demarcation of the RDA and is a preventative barrier to unauthorised persons trying to enter the area. There are several metal barriers along the fence line and access is controlled during firing. DESCRIPTION AND OUTLINE OF ACTIVITIES ON ASH RANGE COMPLEX 4. The range complex is used predominately by Service units and Cadets but frequented by Civilian Police and occasionally by CPU RMP. 5. The primary activity on the range complex is Live Firing Marksmanship Training (LFMT) on purpose- built Small Arms ranges. The ranges are normally active seven days a week, and up to 45 weeks annually. A variety of ranges are available on the complex including standard Gallery, Electric Target and Pistol ranges. Dry training may be conducted within the main RDA when the red danger flags are down. An area for shooting clay targets is situated on site. This facility is occasionally used by Service units. MAJOR IDENTIFIED HAZARDS 6. A summary of the major hazards, are: a. Authorised/unauthorised persons could be injured by Small Arms fire on the range complex. b. Authorised/unauthorised persons could be injured by Small Arms fire in the RDA. c. Authorised/unauthorised persons could be injured by unexploded ordnance lying within the RDA or the main range complex. d. Heath fires are a major hazard. e. The hazard to aircraft flying over the RDA from Small Arms fire and debris from controlled explosions. f. Range traffic is a hazard to troops marching/running on the range roads. g. Proximity of public ‘Rights of Way’ on the adjacent dry training areas. h. The poor condition of some tracks. i. Wooded areas on the flanks of individual ranges. j. Unauthorised digging (and all forms of ground penetration) on the range complex or in the RDA (the potential risk associated with unexploded ordnance). ADDITIONAL IDENTIFIED HAZARDS 7. Should any person identify an additional, potential hazard it is your responsibility under the HSW Act to report it to Range Control immediately. FIRE RISK ASSESSMENTS AND MANDATORY CHECKS/TRAINING 8. Up-to-date, individual Fire Risk Assessments, building-specific, are consolidated (where appropriate) and displayed in buildings on each range. LSS is contractually responsible for keeping the complex compliant in accordance with current Fire Regulations including ‘Mandatory’ checks; these checks are consolidated by TSO/DTSOs (BFFPs) in a spread sheet, ‘Fire Diary’ record for ease during Audit/Assurance inspections. TSO/DTSOs incorporate Fire Checks as part of their monthly range inspection routine. Observations are recorded in the range monthly reports. 2 9. The received appropriate Fire Training, delivered locally by the qualified site EFFP (STSO) in mid-October 2019. They also complete their online Mandatory Fire Course annually. During the 2019 RAB, Pirbright (incl. Ash and Barossa ranges) Fire Management procedures were identified as being best-practice. RISK ASSESSMENT AVAILABILITY 10. The range complex MTF Risk Assessment is available to anyone who wishes to read it (copies held by the Deputy Training Safety Officer and on display in the Range Control building). In any event, it is released on a wide distribution (including conservationists and contractors) and it is on display in the Training Area Operative’s office on every range within the Ash range complex (including the Clay Target range). The MTF Risk Assessment must be read by all range users/visitors/contractors/range staff. A separate ‘Lone Worker’ Risk Assessment is held for ‘Authority’ staff. REGIONAL OPERATIONS ROOM 11. The Regional Operations Room is the focal point to assist in accounting for individuals and groups who wish to access the range floors and the main RDAs for certain activities e.g. deer management, out-of- hours when the sites are unmanned. Original signed Maj (Retd) Annex: A. Ash Range Complex Military Training Facility Risk Assessment. Distribution: LMS Senior Estate Surveyor LSS Team Leader All Ranges 3 DATED MAR 2020 MILITARY TRAINING FOR LAND SYSTEM Unit/Formation: SE UK Training (Ash) Assessor: Activity / Exercise: Small Arms Live Firing Date Assessment: 31 Mar 2020 Relevant Publications / Pamphlets / Procedures: Review Date: 31 Mar 2021 Steps relate to the Risk Assessment Process Generic Risk Assessment: Yes Is Residual Residual Activity/ Hazards Additional Controls Risk Existing Controls Risk Risk Ser Element Identified Required Identified (Step 4) Acceptable Acceptable1 (Step 1) (Step 2) (Step 6) (Step 3) (Step 5) (Step 7) (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f) (g) (h) 1 Small Arms Injury from Possible death 1. The boundary is very well Yes 1. The perimeter track has Yes live firing Small Arms or serious marked with flags and signs to been repaired to improve the (Safe Place fire (on range injuries from warn the public not to enter the surface for emergency and Safe floor or in the gunshot ranges when the ranges are vehicle movement. Person) RDA/outside wounds live (red flags or lamps are 2. Radios incl. base stations RDA) (authorised or displayed): MILITARY FIRING are used by Training Area unauthorised RANGE KEEP OUT WHEN Operatives (TAOs). access by FLAGS OR LAMPS ARE 3. Extra signage informs the service DISPLAYED. The flags and public when night shooting is personnel or lamps are raised and lowered going to take place. civilians) daily. This forms part of the 4. All authorized contractors perimeter check. will carry out a site visit prior 2. Unused barriers and access to any work. points are secured with 5. Range Standing Orders security padlocks during live which contain the range firing. The security keys are clearance and emergency only issued to those that procedures are available on require them. each range. These are 3. Extra RDA patrols take amended by the DTSO. place during school holidays. 6. Bylaws are displayed at 1 If residual risk remains consult Chain of Command A-1 a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f) (g) (h) 1 4. All authorized contractors specific access points. cont. will report to the Range Control 7. The ranges and their use to gain access to the site, are governed by very strict receive a briefing where rules and regulations laid necessary or read and collect down in various publications. safety information. Range Standing Orders are 5. All live firing is conducted by one such publication that qualified/authorized must be strictly adhered to by Officers/NCOs. They produce user units. their own RASP/RSD to cover 8. Ranges will not be their activities. allocated unless the BAMS 6. Two barriers have been procedures are followed. placed on the perimeter track 9. All users must book in at to restrict movement. Warning Range Control. signs are attached to the 10. The ranges are inspected barriers, and they are locked monthly by the DTSO and on always, unless transit has an annual basis by other been authorized by the Deputy authorized bodies. Training Safety Officer Inspections are recorded in (DTSO). the Land Range Log MOD 7. Authorized users must have 906A. These inspections Range Standing Orders2 which assist in the process of contain the range clearance maintaining a “Safe Place” and emergency procedures. 11. Range control is manned 8. Only those with issued keys and there are members of will gain access through the LSS range staff present gates. during Live firing. 9. A track sits adjacent to the 12. Warning of trespass or boundary fence. This facilitates incidents will be reported to the daily range clearance of Range Control from patrols or the perimeter fence by LSS any range by radio or staff using a 4WD vehicle; they telephone. will also drive through the RDA 13. When the flags and where possible, to detect lamps are lowered, the public have access to the site and should abide by the by laws 2 Range Standing Orders are constantly under review and a routine amendment system is used.