Thông tư 121/2012/TT-BQP

CIRCULAR

ON THE PROMULGATION OF THE NATIONAL TECHNICAL REGULATION N^o QCVN 01:2012/BQG ON MINE ACTION

Pursuant to the 2008’s Law of legislative document promulgation;

Pursuant to the 2006’s Law of Technical Standards and Regulations;

Pursuant to the Government's Decree No. 127/2007/ND-CP dated August 01, 2007 on the implementation of certain articles of the Law of Technical Standards and Regulations;

Pursuant to the Government’s Decree No. 104/2008/ND-CP dated September 16, 2008 on the functions, missions, authority and organizational structure of the Ministry of National defense;

At the request of the Head of the Directorate for Standards - Metrology - Quality;

Minister of National Defense hereby decides:

Article 1. This Circular is enclosed with the national technical regulation regarding the military and national defense sector:

National technical regulation n^o QCVN 01:2012/BQP on mine action.

Article 2. This Circular comes into effect as of January 01, 2013.

Article 3. Heads of the relevant agencies and organizations shall be responsible for implementing this Circular./.

QCVN 01:2012/BQP

NATIONAL TECHNICAL REGULATION ON MINE ACTION

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Foreword

1. GENERAL PROVISIONS

1.1. Scope

1.2. Regulated entities

1.3. Terminology

2. TECHNICAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS

2.1. Non-technical and technical surveys

2.2. Safety

2.3. Preparation and implementation of mine action

2.4. Disposal of mines and explosive ordnances retrieved

2.5. Acceptance and delivery

2.6. Medical support

2.7. Investigation of demining incidents

3. RESPONSIBILITIES OF ORGANIZATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS

4. IMPLEMENTATION

Annexes

FOREWORD

QCVN 01:2012/BQP is compiled by the drafting board for national technical regulations on mine action under the Engineering High Command, presented by the Directorate for Standards - Metrology - Quality for approval and promulgated pursuant to the Circular No. 121/2012/TT-BQP dated November 12, 2012 by the Minister of National defense.

NATIONAL TECHNICAL REGULATION ON MINE ACTION

1. GENERAL PROVISIONS

1.1. Scope

The Regulation stipulates the technical and administrative requirements for post-war mine action and the responsibilities of relevant organizations and individuals.

1.2. Regulated entities

Ministries, bodies, People's Committees of provinces and central-affiliated cities, investors, project management boards, local and foreign entities, companies, social organizations and individuals concerning the mine action in the territories of Vietnam shall all adhere to this Regulation.

1.3. Terminology

In this Regulation, the following words and phrases are construed as follows:

1.3.1. Non-technical survey

The activity which involves the collection, analysis and evaluation of information on bomb, mine, explosive ordnance and mine-contaminated area within a certain site.

1.3.2. Working license

The certificate issued by the government authority (or an agency mandated for) managing the mine action to a mine action organization as the accreditation of such organization’s eligibility to conduct mine action activities.

1.3.3. Technical survey

The detailed intervention with verification and clearance devices into a part of a part of a possibly contaminated area confirmed after the non-technical survey has been conducted.

1.3.4. Contaminated area

Referring generally to an area where a bomb, mine or explosive ordnance is identified.

1.3.5. Accident response plan

A documented plan developed for each demining site, which details the requisite procedures for moving victims from an accident site to an appropriate treatment or surgical care facility.

1.3.6. Demining

The activities of clearing a contaminated area by detecting, disposing (removing or destroying) all types of bombs, mines and explosive ordnances in that area.

1.3.7. Demining incidents

An incident amid the demining processing, which leads to accident(s), at a demining workplace.

1.3.8. Signal

All magnetic (or non-magnetic) materials under the ground or in the water, including iron, steel, mine or bomb pieces, munitions, bombs, mines and explosive ordnances that can be detected by people or detectors currently employed.

2. TECHNICAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS

2.1. Non-technical and technical surveys

2.1.1. Non-technical survey can tap the following variety of sources: Documented records, local residents, military force, police, accidents, incidents or other signs of bomb, mine and explosive ordinance with the primary aims of: Confirming the contamination with bomb, mine or explosive ordinance for demining; deciding the clearance of bomb and mine to reclaim land; soothing local residents to use land without full area demining.

2.1.2. Activities of non-technical survey:

2.1.2.1. Utilizing the existing war database: Maps of battles, bombardment and minefield placement shall be used;

2.1.2.2. Interviewing witnesses: The elders who have lived the longest in the locality, those with good memory and consideration knowledge of the local events that occurred during the time of war; those with thorough knowledge and understanding of the local land use; those participating actively in every public activity; and those conversant with the local contamination status shall be interviewed;

2.1.2.3. Interviewing governmental leaders: The individuals firmly knowledgeable about the whole status of local contamination shall be interviewed to gather the governmental authorities' documents and records. At least 5 officials shall be interviewed, who may include: 01 managerial official representing the People’s Committee or People’s Council, 01 chief of the relevant commune’s self-defense force, 01 chief of the communal police, 01 cadastral official and 01 statistical official of the office of the People’s Committee;

2.1.2.4. Surveyed area mapping and marking of bomb, mine and explosive ordnance on the map. The minimum scale of the map shall be 1:5000.

2.1.3. The information collected during a non-technical survey includes minefield setup files; positions of strikes and ground battles; positions of former bases and military inventory; suspected contaminated areas; sites where bomb, mine and explosive ordnance have been seen or detected; demined areas.

2.1.4. Non-technical survey's criteria for assessing and identifying a non-contaminated area:

2.1.4.1. There is no evidence on the occurrence of local armed clashes in the area;

2.1.4.2. It is not strategically reasonable to deploy bomb, mine or explosive ordnance in the area;

2.1.4.3. People have used the land for a certain period but no evidence on bomb, mine and explosive ordnance has been found;

2.1.4.4. No local accident related to bomb, mine and explosive ordnance has occurred;

2.1.4.5. If the surveyed area meets the criteria 2.1.4.1 to 2.1.4.4, the land may be released without the need of technical survey and demining. The assessment and decision shall be based on the evidences defined in Annex A to this Regulation;

2.1.4.6 If the surveyed area fails such criteria, it shall undergo technical survey for confirmation.

2.1.5. Activities of technical survey: Locate the positions for technical survey, conduct the technical survey on-site then hand over the surveyed positions to local supervisory authorities.

2.1.6. Locating the positions for technical survey based on the analysis of: The contaminated area markings on the map after the non-technical survey has finished; the traits of the contaminated area; the sections highly valuable for local economic and social development or typical of a contaminated area. The technical survey shall not examine construction areas, residential land and perennial fields.

2.1.7. The chosen positions shall be marked for on-site technical survey. The technical survey has to cover at least 1% of the total area. Every information ensuing during the technical survey shall be detailed in the surveyed area delivery record. The coordinates of the technical survey’s positions shall be specified by the global positioning system (GPS), marked on the map and written onto the delivery record. The surveyor shall directly hand over the record and technical survey's positions to the representative of the local authority and the government authority in charge of mine action.

2.1.8. The information collected during a technical survey includes: The entire area's signal density determined through the clearance of bombs, mines and explosive ordnances in the sequential manner prescribed in Clause 2.3.6 to 2.3.8; the forest classification, topography, soil classification, magnetic level of the land, weather, climate, hydrograph; the safety, political status, local population status and expected camping position during the progress of demining. The classification of cleared forests and excavated soil is defined in Annex B and Annex C.

2.1.9. The following equipment for non-technical and technical surveys is subject to functional agencies’ testing and certification of technical eligibility and permissibility: Prodder, (near-surface) mine detector; (deep-seeking) bomb detector.

2.1.10. Personnel of a non-technical or technical survey team shall undergo health examination pursuant to Clause 2.6.3. Such individuals have been proficiently trained in technical specialization. In addition, they possess solid knowledge of features, structure and operational principles of common bombs, mines and explosive ordnances while comprehending firmly the technical procedures and safety principles of mine action. Moreover, they are experienced and accredited to carry out demining activities.

2.1.11. Composition of a non-technical or technical survey team:

2.1.11.1. Personnel: 01 captain, 01 vice captain, 01 medic on elementary or higher level, and 10 persons undertaking missions.

2.1.11.2. Equipment: One 2.5-ton truck, one GPS device, one first-aid kit synchronous to medical equipment, one deep-seeking detector, two near-surface detectors, one manual detection and demining kit, one mapping tool kit.

2.1.12. Progress: Notices and documents approved by competent bodies shall be sent to the relevant localities covered in the non-technical and technical surveys of the endorsed project. Local authorities shall be notified of the plan and schedule of such surveys. The time, location, personnel and equipment planned for the surveys shall be coordinated.

2.1.13. The non-technical and technical surveys, upon concluded, shall be reported to government authorities in charge of mine action. The report shall exhibit the following information in full: The methods for selection of surveyed areas; the geographic names of such areas and relevant supervisory agencies; the size of surveyed areas; the time of the surveys; the GPS-defined coordinates of the center of the surveyed positions; the evaluation of the areas' contamination status previous surveyed; the topographic and natural features of the surveyed areas; the type, condition, quantity and depth of the bombs and mines collected; the maps of the surveyed areas and coordinates of the signals of bomb, mine and explosive ordnance or other suspicious signals; the localities’ expected purpose of use of the surveyed areas.

2.2. Safety

2.2.1. Demining activities have to adhere to all technical safety requirements to maintain the safety of the process and the subsequent use of the areas.

2.2.2. The requirements concern: Personnel, equipment and implementation.

2.2.3. The persons searching and handling bombs, mines and explosive ordnances shall be specialized, fundamentally trained, certified in writing and given health checkup pursuant to Clause 2.6.3. The managers of mine action units, site administrators, captains, safety staff and technicians shall conform to all safety principles and rules.

2.2.4. Mine action units at work shall be adequately equipped with devices for searching and handling bombs, mines and explosive ordnances. In addition, there shall be protective gears for people and devices, ambulance, utility van, vehicle carrying bomb, mine and explosive ordnance to destruction site (if required), and communication system.

2.2.5. The assessment and formulation of technical plans for searching and handling bombs, mines and explosive ordnances shall incorporate all safety requirements.

2.2.6. The planning of works shall incorporate measures and activities to safeguard people and equipment.

2.2.7. The mine action team, when undertaking the works, shall be thoroughly informed of relevant plans, procedures and regulations. In addition, they shall receive supplemental training.

2.2.8. During the works, the safety procedures and regulations shall be obeyed.

2.2.9. Every task of the mine action process shall be performed based on the work plan approved. The sequence of actions shall be strictly organized and synchronously managed in a sequential manner. It is prohibited to alter technical procedures unilaterally during the works. Changes to certain steps of an approved procedure are subject to written approval of competent authorities.

2.2.10. The organizations, when conducting a mine action project, are required to: Possess the practicing license issued by a competent authority, capacities, personnel and equipment necessary for mine action; enter a mine action contract with the investor by selection (bidding or designation) as per current regulations; have a technical plan approved by competent authorities for searching and handling bombs, mines and explosive ordnances; have a detailed work plan and schedule approved by the supervisory organization; carry out measures to supervise and maintain the safety of the entire work process.

2.2.11. The mine action organizations, when conducting the work, are required to have auxiliary facilities: Office, accommodation, life necessities, medical apparatus; medical emergency site, temporary pre-disposal warehouse for bombs, mines and explosive ordnances; destruction site (if available); marking and guiding system for dangerous areas.

2.2.12. Requirements for in-land mine clearance:

2.2.12.1. Site preparation adheres to Clause 2.3.6.2;

2.2.12.2. Before each work shift, technicians shall re-examine the technical status of the equipment as per requirements.

2.2.12.3. Deminers:

- Possess technical expertise, be fully equipped with detectors and protective gears during their work as per regulations;

- Perform the work in order according to the sequence and content defined in Clause 2.3.6.3, 2.3.6.5 and 2.3.6.7. It is strictly prohibited to work neglectfully or hasten the searching steps;

- Be prohibited from smoking and consuming stimulant drinks in demining areas.

2.2.12.4. The boundary of the work site shall be marked with flags and signposts and guarded to prohibit the entry of non-authorized people and vehicles.

2.2.12.5. Deminers shall only move within their assigned space and be strictly prohibited from walking freely in the work site.

2.2.12.6. The positions of bombs, mines and explosive ordnances shall be marked with flags and signposts. The access to such positions shall be granted only to handlers assigned by the site administrator.

2.2.12.7. The total duration of each uninterrupted work shift shall be 6 hours. A mine detector user shall not take 2 continuous shifts in a day. The staff shall be given mid-shift break.

2.2.12.8. The handling of signals shall be assigned to handling technicians equipped with sufficient handling devices and protective gears and adhere to the sequence and content defined in Clause 2.3.6.4, 2.3.6.6, 2.3.6.8 and 2.3.6.9. 

2.2.12.9. Signal handling devices shall suffice in quantity and quality and be non-magnetic.

2.2.12.10. The dismantling of bombs, mines and explosive ordnances by hand or by special equipment shall abide by Clause 2.4 of this Regulation and only proceed with the permission of competent authorities. Bombs, mines and explosive ordnances, when dismantling is not feasible, shall be destroyed on-site (if applicable).

2.2.12.11. The gathering, sorting and transportation of the bombs, mines and explosive ordnances found shall be governed by the national technical regulation n^o QCVN 02:2008/BCT on safety in the storage, transportation, use and disposal of industrial explosive materials annexed to the Decision No. 51/2008/QD-BCT dated December 30, 2008 by the Minister of Industry and Trade, and:

- Only bombs, mines and explosive ordnances deemed safe for collection and conveyance are gathered and transported. Bombs, mines and explosive ordnances unsafe for transportation but not disposable on-site shall only be transported for destruction with the written permission of competent authorities after rendered safe by special technical measures;

- Bombs, mines and explosive ordnances detected then collected cannot be carried home and to residential places.

- The vehicle carrying bombs, mines and explosive ordnances for destruction shall be always maintained in good conditions and its tank is made of wood. The driver shall be highly skilled, careful, composed and courageous. The floor of the vehicle’s tank shall be covered in a sand layer thicker than 25 cm. Petroleum and oil shall not be contained in the same tank that carries bombs, mines and explosive ordnances;

- Bombs, mines and explosive ordnances shall be arranged in a position parallel to the vehicle’s direction of movement and in separation from each other to avoid collision. Bombs, mines and explosives on which detonators are fitted shall not be transported;

- A vehicle carrying bombs, mines and explosive ordnances shall carry at most 3 persons who are: Main driver, escorting officer and supporting driver (if necessary);

- Vehicles transporting bombs, mines and explosive ordnances shall not pass through cities and crowed places. If it is unavoidable, the vehicles shall take empty routes at night with the written permission of competent authorities and under a strict agreement on the routes with the organization held responsible. Such vehicles shall not park or stop at crowded places or in dangerous proximity to storage places;

2.2.12.12. The destruction of bombs, mines and explosive ordnances shall adhere strictly to Clause 2.4 of this Regulation. Destruction methods shall depend on the type of bombs, mines and explosive ordnances collected. The destruction plan shall be made and approved by competent authorities prior to the destruction process. Safety guard posts shall be placed at essential positions of the site for destruction of bombs, mines and explosive ordnances. Hiding positions shall be made available for the operators, commander and safety guards. After each session of destruction, the entire destruction site shall undergo safety check before the squad leaves. Destruction shall not proceed when there is rain, lightning and storm. If rain, lightning and storm succeed the complete setup of a blast hole, the destruction site shall be evacuated and guarded.

2.2.13. Safety requirements for underwater demining:

2.2.13.1. Examination of underwater environment: Zone the work site and mark positions; clear away obstacles on water surface; mark large obstacles to the search; measure the water depth and flow velocity.

2.2.13.2. Before each work shift, technicians shall re-examine the technical status of the equipment as per requirements.

2.2.13.3. Zone the area under scrutiny with buoys on which flags are fitted. Assign guards at the demining area to guide and divert vessels from such area. The work shall be subject to Clause 2.3.7.1.

2.2.13.4. Deminers at work shall be fully equipped with personal protective gears as per regulations and perform the work in the sequential manner defined in Clause 2.3.7.2 and 2.3.7.5.

2.2.13.5. Demining vessels shall only move within their designated positions in the searching area.

2.2.13.6. The total duration of each uninterrupted shift for searching activities shall be 6 hours. A mine detector user shall not take 2 continuous shifts in a day. Signal handling divers shall not work in more than 2 hours per shift. The staff shall be given mid-shift break.

2.2.13.7. The marking of positions where signal is detected shall be subject to Clause 2.3.7.3 and 2.3.7.6.

2.2.13.8. Signal handlers shall be technical capable and healthy divers certified by competent authorities, be fully equipped with regulated personal protective gears at work and follow the sequence of actions defined in Clause 2.3.7.4, 2.3.7.7 and 2.3.7.8 and other regulations on diving safety for underwater work.

2.2.13.9. The technical status and safety of the following underwater signal handling equipment shall be examined and maintained as per regulations: Underwater bomb detector; synchronous diving apparatus (scuba diving or free-diving); composite and rubber boats, high-pressure sand and mud pumps; specialized salvage equipment; buoys, anchors, prodders, shovels, nylon cables and protective gears.

2.2.13.10. The manual and mechanized dismantling of bombs, mines and explosive ordnances shall abide by Clause 2.4 of this Regulation.

2.2.13.11. Only bombs, mines and explosive ordnances rendered safe are salvaged. Salvage shall be done with specialized equipment. Explosive ordnances shall be slowly pulled out of the water onto the specialized composite, rubber or wooden boat. Warheads shall then be fixed tightly on the boat to avoid collision. Bombs, mines and explosive ordnances shall not be carried on the boat that transports workers and equipment.

2.2.13.12. The gathering, sorting, transportation and disposal of bombs, mines and explosive ordnances salvaged shall be governed by Clause 2.2.12.11 and 2.2.12.12.

2.3. Preparation and implementation of mine action

2.3.1. Requirements for mine clearance

2.3.1.1. Deminers shall undergo health checkup defined in Clause 2.6.3, training and certification as per regulations;

2.3.1.2. Detectors and technical equipment for demining shall suffice in quantity and maintained in quality. Technical conditions shall be regularly examined and inspected (by functional agencies authorized by state management authorities); therefore, the parts and components not technically compliant and synchronized are immediately replaced;

2.3.1.3. Mine clearance shall adhere closely to technical procedures. Subjectivity, plain reasoning, shortening and omission of regulated steps are strictly prohibited. It is not allowed to focus merely on the output target, which results in negligence, omission of explosive ordnances, precarious incidents during the mine clearance or the construction and permanent use of the facilities;

2.3.1.4. The quality of the facilities and the compliance with safety regulations shall be regularly examined during the demining process to eradicate errors. At least 1% of the demined area shall be examined periodically by a probability method:

2.3.1.5. The demining organization possesses a license (or certificate) issued by the government authority in charge of mine action (or an agency authorized thereof);

2.3.16. Technical plans have been made and approved by competent authorities (unless otherwise regulated by state management authorities in special circumstances).

2.3.2. Demining team captain:

2.3.2.1. Be capable of management and command; possess deep knowledge in bomb, mine and explosive ordnances; have taken basic technical training and team leadership course by organization(s) and training institution(s) and obtained relevant certificates (if working for a domestic demining organization) or by training institutions internationally recognized (if working for a foreign demining organization or non-governmental organization);

2.3.2.2. Have at least 2 years’ experience in managing and commanding directly the demining activities; have solid technical knowledge of the demining process; understand deeply the composition and mechanism of bombs, mines and explosive ordnances commonly demined; grasp the safety principles of demining; comprehend and employ proficiently the demining equipment;

2.3.2.2. Swim and dive excellently if performing sea demining.

2.3.3. Technician:

Be technically trained and proficient; grasp the functions, composition and mechanism of common bombs, mines and explosive ordnances; understand firmly the technical procedure and safety principles of demining; comprehend firmly and use proficiently the machines, equipment and specialized gears; have been certified and trained in demining by the Corps of Engineers or agencies authorized thereof (if working for a domestic demining organization) or by training institutions (if working for a foreign demining organization or non-governmental organization).

2.3.3.2. Swim and dive excellently if performing sea demining.

2.3.4. Requirements for personnel of a demining team

The disposition of a demining team only concerns the quantity of officials and staff and the organizational structure of the post-war demining team. The team captain shall arrange and adjust the quantity of the staff in each group according to the requisite workload. The basic structure of a post-war demining team is defined below:

2.3.4.1. Inland demining team: With the total quantity of 25 persons and the following groups:

- Command: 01 captain and 01 vice captain;

- Ground preparation, searching and signal marking group;

- Digging and signal handling group;

- Safety guard group;

- Service group (logistics, medical care and technical equipment).

2.3.4.2. Underwater demining team: With the total quantity of 25 persons and the following groups:

- Command: 01 captain and 01 vice captain;

- Ground preparation, searching and signal marking group;

- Diving, digging and signal handling group;

- Safety guard group;

- Service group (logistics, medical care and technical equipment).

2.3.4.3. Sea demining team: With 30 to 35 persons and the following groups:

- Command: 01 captain and 01 vice captain;

- Positioning and navigating group;

- Sonar, magnetometer and acoustic positioning group;

- Bomb salvaging group;

- Positioning, diving and signal handling group;

- ROV-employed signal processing group;

- Safety guard group;

- Service group (logistics, medical care and technical equipment).

2.3.5. Requirements for demining and supportive equipment

2.3.5.1. General requirements

- Post-war demining teams shall be equipped adequately with machines, equipment, first-aid instruments and protective gears as per regulations;

- The machines and technical equipment for inland, post-war underwater and sea demining shall suffice in quality and quantity as defined in Table 1, Table 2 and Table 3. Technical conditions shall be examined on 6-month basis (by the organizations authorized by state management authorities). The components and parts not meeting technical requirements and not synchronized shall be replaced.

2.3.5.2. Inland demining team

Table 1 - List of machines, equipment and vehicles of an inland demining team

2.3.5.3. Underwater demining team (to the depth of 15 m)

Table 2 - List of machines, equipment and vehicles of an underwater demining team

2.3.5.4. Sea demining team (to the depth of more than 15 m)

Table 3 - List of machines, equipment and vehicles of a sea demining team

2.3.6. Inland demining sequence

2.3.6.1. Zoning of demining areas

- Set up a ring 4-meter to 6-meter wide, which encloses the entire area for detecting, moving, transporting and isolating the searching area from its surroundings based on the positions marked during the survey.

- Examine and prepare the site, then initiate the demining process within the ring according to Clause 2.3.6.2 to 2.3.6.5.

2.3.6.2. Site preparation

- Manual site preparation:

+ Applicable to all types of terrain: Lowland, midland, woods, mountain, swarm and coastal mangrove forest;

+ Equipment: Machete and handheld tools, military equipment for examining explosive ordnances, piles and signs;

+ Set the piles to divide the area into cells sized 25m x 25m or 50m x 50m according to the local topography (or which are 25m in length and run the width of the demining area at narrow strips);

+ Clear all creeper, grass, trees less than 10cm in diameter; retain stumps 5cm or lower in height (trees larger than 10cm in diameter are only cut down when signal emits from under their stumps), take all obstacles them out of the range of the demining work (if the demining area is a minefield, the clearing process shall proceed simultaneously with manual demining to the depth of 7cm).

- Prepare the site by hand in combination with petrol-fueled incineration:

+ It is only applicable to mined and non-mined areas densely occupied by trees and creeper on the condition that the forest management authority issues an approval;

+ Equipment: Machete and handheld tools, military equipment for examining explosive ordnances, piles and signs, petrol, oil and sprayers;

+ Clear the plants to create paths 2m to 3m wide to divide the area into cells sized 25m x 25m or 50m x 50m according to the local topography (or which are 25m in length and run the width of the demining area at narrow strips). On minefields, the clearing of plants to make cells separated by paths 2m to 3m wide shall proceed simultaneously with the demining process pursuant to Clause 2.3.6.3 to 2.3.6.5;

+ Spray petrol and oil to burn down all plants in each cell at an appropriate time;

+ Take the plants and obstacles out of the range of each cell’s demining work (at the same time with the progress of demining to the depth of 7cm or 30cm).

- Prepare the site by hand with explosives:

+ It is applicable to minefields surrounded by barbed wire and densely covered by trees and creeper;

+ Equipment: Machete and handheld tools, military equipment for examining explosive ordnances, piles and signs, explosive, firing equipment, detonators and other materials;

+ Observe, inspect and use a large amount of explosive to destroy the barriers; open small paths 2m to 3m wide, set piles to divide the area into cells sized 25m x 25m or 50m x 50m according to the local topography (or which are 25m long and run the width of the demining area at narrow strips);

+ Take the plants and obstacles out of the range of each cell’s demining work (at the same time with the progress of demining to the depth of 7cm or 30cm).

2.3.6.3. Manual demining to the depth of 7cm

- It applies to minefields in which highly responsive mines, pressure-triggered mines and plastic mines are buried and identified by detectors for dry soil or in which there are various magnetized materials obstructing detectors;

- Furnish trackline marking wire, towing hook (on a rope 25m to 30m in length), prodder, machete, dagger, shovel, safety pins, small white and red pennants and collection tools;

- From the cell-dividing lines, mark the detection range with white pennants (1m to 1.5m in width) while conducting the detection task (distance between two pennants is 1.5m). It is allowed to reuse successively the pennants marking a completed detection range for the subsequent one;

- Observe and probe from left to right, from the nearest to farthest positions. The prodder is tilted at an angle of 30^o to 40^o with the ground. Probe in the shape of an apricot flower. Probe heads shall be 3 cm to 5 cm from each other and infiltrate to the depth of 7cm to 10cm;

- Probe to confirm a signal, when detected, then dig and inspect the signal by basic technical methods. Take the object found, if not an explosive ordnance, to the defined place; or render the exposed bomb, mine or explosive ordnance safe before taking it to the defined place. If such bomb, mine or explosive ordnance is precarious or unusual, mark it with a red flag for separate subsequent processing;

- The smallest distance between two persons in a demining area shall not be less than 15m.

2.3.6.4. On-site examination and destruction of bombs, mines and explosive ordnances to the depth of 7cm

- It applies to bombs, mines and explosive ordnances unsafe for collection and transportation only with competent authorities' permission;

- Equipment: Prodders, daggers, shovels, explosive, firing equipment and detonators;

- Amass a certain amount of explosive, according to each type of bomb, mine and explosive ordnance defined in the Regulation of blasting work, directly on the explosive ordnance to be destroyed;

- After the process of destruction, inspect and confirm the full clearance of bombs, mines and explosive ordnances. If explosive ordnances remain, the said sequence repeats;

- Examine and clean detonating materials and fragments (if any) from the demining area.

2.3.6.5. Demining with mine detector to the depth of 30cm

- It applies to minefields demined at the depth of 7cm and other non-mined areas;

- Equipment: Detectors, prodders, white and red pennants, wooden piles and trackline marking wire;

- Set the piles and wire to mark detection ranges, which are 1m to 1.5m wide each;

- Carry out the demining process with the detector as per technical requirements. Probe from left to right and vice versa. A probe track has to cover one third of the previous one while the probe range encroaches on the previous one by 10cm to 20cm;

- When a signal is indicated, the deminer shall probe in a crisscross pattern to determine and mark the center of the signal with a red pennant. The pennant may be set on the left or right of the signal’s center (at the commander's discretion) provided that the tip of the pennant, when pulled down vertically, points straight at the signal’s center;

- The minimum distance between two detectors in the same area shall be 7m.

2.3.6.6. Digging and handling of signals to the depth of 30cm

- It applies to all marked signals as stated in Clause 2.3.6.5;

- Equipment: Detectors, prodders, shovels, daggers, safety pins, explosive, firing equipment and detonators, collection tools;

- Use the detector and prodder to re-examine the positions of marked signals. Use the shovel to bore a hole 0.5m to 0.6 in width (in line with the signal's magnitude). Each layer of soil shall be removed carefully downwards and from the edge to the center of the hole. The processes of digging and examination occur simultaneously. When the signal is detected, use the dagger to dig around until the signal-reflecting object fully emerges;

- Examine and identify the object: Take the object, if not an explosive ordnance, to the defined place; or render the bomb, mine or explosive ordnance safe before taking it to the defined place. If such bomb, mine or explosive ordnance is unsafe for gathering and transportation or unusual, mark it with a red flag for separate subsequent processing;

- After the signal is handled, re-check the vicinity and the underneath of the processed signal with the detector to confirm the clearance of signal. If signal is still picked up, repeat the said sequence.

2.3.6.7. Demining with bomb detector to the depth of 0.3m to 3m, to 5m or to 10m (according to the searching depth defined in Annex D)

- It applies to the areas demined to the depth of 0.3m but still contaminated with bomb, mine or explosive ordnance at a depth of greater than 0.3m;

- Equipment: Bomb detectors, red flags for marking signals, wooden piles and trackline marking wire;

- Prepare the detector, determine the magnetic level of the area’s soil to tune the detectors accordingly;

- Set the piles and wire to mark the detection ranges, which are 1m from each other;

- Carry out the demining process with the bomb detector as per technical requirements. When a signal is indicated, the deminer shall probe in a crisscross pattern to determine and mark the center of the signal with a red flag;

- The minimum distance between two detectors in the same area shall be 7m.

2.3.6.8. Digging and handling of signals to the depth of 3m

- It applies to all marked signals;

- Equipment: Bomb detectors, prodders, shovels, daggers, safety pins, explosive, firing equipment and detonators, collection tools; Water pump(s) shall be required if groundwater exists; 

- Prepare, examine and use handheld tools to dig around the marked center of the signal in a careful manner. Dig inwards, and infer the size of the hole from the signal’s magnitude and depth (via the detector). Dig by layer less than 10cm in thickness when approaching closer the signal-reflecting object, use the detector and prodder to check around the signal’s center before digging a layer until the object fully emerges;

- Examine and identify the object: Take the object, if not an explosive ordnance, to the defined place; or render the bomb, mine or explosive ordnance safe before taking it to the defined place. If such bomb, mine or explosive ordnance is unsafe for gathering and transportation or unusual, mark it with a red flag for separate subsequent processing;

- After the signal is handled, re-check the vicinity and the underneath of the processed signal with the detector to confirm the clearance of signal. If signal is still picked up, repeat the said sequence;

- No more than 2 persons are assigned to a digging and signal handling shift. The minimum distance from the digging and signal handling group to other groups shall not be less than 25m.

2.3.6.9. Digging and handling of signals to the depth of 5m to 10m

Deploy the equipment in the sequential manner defined in Clause 2.3.6.8 for greater depths.

2.3.7. Underwater demining

It applies to underwater or sea demining areas at a water depth of less than 15m.

2.3.7.1. Site preparation

- Base on the positions marked during the technical survey to zone the demining area by setting up concrete poles (0.15m x 0.15m x 1.2m) on the shore and dropping 1-m³ buoys fitted with 50-kg anchor to determine and mark essential positions in the water. Only use buoys with anchor to mark positions in a demining area at a depth of greater than 3m and larger than 50m in width;

- Clear aegiceras, grass, alga, water-fern or piles from the area. Handle oversized obstacles that cannot be salvaged in the following manner:                      

Damaged bridge girdles and piers and sunken ships shall be marked as a special reminder to disregard interfering objects during the process of demining.

2.3.7.2. Demining to the depth of 0.5m from the bottom of a water body

- It applies to the areas contaminated with bombs, mines or explosive ordnances to the depth of 0.5m from the bottom of a water body;

- Equipment: Bomb detectors, composite and rubber boats, buoys, anchors (weighed 50kg and 20kg, made of non-magnetic materials), trackline marking wire, safety equipment and protective gears;

- Determine the magnetic level of the soil at the water body's bottom to tune the detectors. The sensitivity level of the detectors is set at 1 to 3 according to the magnetic level of the soil at the water body’s bottom;

- Set up the wire with the 1-m³ buoys, 20-kg and 50-kg anchors to divide the area into 25m x 25m or 50m x 50m cells according to the local topography. Stretch out the wire to divide cells into tracklines, which are 0.5m wide each (the tracklines' direction should coincide with that of the water flow);

- Place the bomb detector on the rubber or composite boat, drop the probe head vertically into the water until it is 10cm to 20cm from the water body’s bottom, then probe along a trackline. After finishing with that trackline, move the probe to the next one;

- Underwater demining shall only proceed when the water flow speed does not exceed 1 m/s. If demining is inevitable despite the water flow speed greater than 1 m/s, the measures for safety, technical compliance and work quality shall be reinforced.

2.3.7.3. Marking of signals to the depth of 0.5m from the bottom of a water body

- It applies to all signals found during the process of underwater detection at the depth of 0.5m from the water body's bottom;

- Equipment: Bomb detectors, composite and rubber boats, buoys, anchors (weighed 10kg and 20kg, made of non-magnetic materials), nylon cable, marking flags, safety equipment and protective gears;

- When the bomb detector indicates the existence of a magnetic object in the demining water body's bottom, move the detector along the relevant trackline to determine the signal's center;

- Drop the 20-kg anchor (if the water flow speed exceeds 1 m/s and the water depth is greater than 3m) or 10-kg anchor (in other conditions) at a position beside the signal's center. Use the nylon cable 12mm in diameter to attach the anchor to a plastic buoy larger than 30cm in diameter, set a red flag on the buoy as the marking;

- If the water depth is less than 3m, a bamboo pole may be set to mark the signal.

2.3.7.4. Diving and handling of signals to the depth of 0.5m from a water body’s bottom

- It applies to all marked signals as stated in Clause 2.3.7.3;

- Equipment: Bomb detectors, diving suits, composite and rubber boats, buoys, anchors, prodders, shovels, nylon cable, safety equipment and protective gears;

- Prepare and implement the safety measures in full. Divers shall carry diving gears and handheld tools such as prodder and diver’s shovel down to the position of the marked signal's center, prod and dig up each layer until the object fully emerges;

- Examine and identify the object: Salvage the object, if not an explosive ordnance, with the nylon cable onto the boat before convey it to the defined place; or render the bomb, mine or explosive ordnance safe before salvaging it with the nylon cable onto the boat for transportation to the defined place. If such bomb, mine or explosive ordnance is unsafe for gathering and transportation or unusual, mark it with the buoy, anchor and red flag for separate subsequent processing;

- After the signal is handled, re-check the vicinity and the underneath of the processed signal with the bomb detector to confirm the clearance of signal. If signal is still picked up, repeat the said sequence.

2.3.7.5. Demining to the depth of 0.5m to 3m or to 5m from a water body’s bottom (according to the searching depth defined in Annex D)

- It applies to the areas where bomb, mine or explosive ordnance exists at the depth of 0.5m to 3m or to 5m from the water body’s bottom after the demining process at the depth of 0.5m from such water body’s bottom completes;

- Equipment: Bomb detectors, composite and rubber boats, buoys, anchors, trackline marking wire, safety equipment and protective gears;

- Determine the water depth and the magnetic level of the soil in the water body's bottom to tune the detectors. Set the sensitivity level of the detectors from 4 to 7 according to the magnetic level of the soil in the water body’s bottom and the required depth level of the demining process;

- Set up the wire with the 1-m³ buoys, 20-kg and 50-kg anchors to divide the area into 25m x 25m or 50m x 50m cells according to the local topography. Stretch out the wire to divide cells into tracklines, which are 1m wide each (the tracklines' direction should coincide with that of the water flow);

- Place the bomb detector on the rubber or composite boat, drop the probe head vertically into the water until it is 10cm to 20cm from the water body’s bottom, then probe along a trackline. After finishing with that trackline, move the probe to the next one;

- Underwater demining shall only proceed when the water flow speed does not exceed 1 m/s. If demining is inevitable despite the water flow speed greater than 1 m/s, the measures for safety, technical compliance and work quality shall be reinforced.

2.3.7.6. Marking of signals at the depth of 0.5m to 3m or to 5m from a water body's bottom

- It applies to all signals found during the process of underwater demining at the depth of 0.5m to 3m or to 5m from the water body’s bottom;

- The equipment and tasks are defined in Clause 2.3.7.3.

2.3.7.7. Diving and handling of signals at the depth of greater than 0.5m to 1m from a water body’s bottom

- It applies to all marked signals as stated in Clause 2.3.7.6.

- Equipment: Bomb detectors, diving suits, composite and rubber boats, mud and sand blowers, buoys, anchors, prodders, shovels, nylon cable, safety equipment and protective gears;

- Prepare and implement the safety measures in full. Divers shall carry handheld tools such as prodder, shovel and pump's suction head down to the signal's center, prod, suction and dig up each layer until the object fully emerges;

- Examine and identify the object: Salvage the object, if not an explosive ordnance, with the nylon cable onto the boat before convey it to the defined place; or render the bomb, mine or explosive ordnance safe before salvaging it with the nylon cable onto the boat for transportation to the defined place. If such bomb, mine or explosive ordnance is unsafe for gathering and transportation or unusual, mark it with the buoy, anchor and red flag for separate subsequent processing;

- After the signal is handled, re-check the vicinity and the underneath of the processed signal with the bomb detector to confirm the clearance of signal. If signal is still picked up, repeat the said sequence.

2.3.7.8. Planning, underwater digging and signal handling to the depth of greater than 1m to 3m or to 5m from a water body’s bottom

- It applies to all marked signals as stated in Clause 2.3.7.6 in the event that the object is yet found though the digging depth reaches 1m;

- Equipment: Bomb detectors, diving suits, composite and rubber boats, high-pressure blowers, mud pumps, buoys, anchors, prodders, shovels, frames, safety equipment, protective gears and frame installation and removal tools;

- Divers shall use the excavator, high-pressure blow head and mud pump to prod and dig or blow until the object fully emerges, then proceed according to Clause 2.3.7.7;

- In the areas with geological complications such as running sand or mud, iron frames shall be set up. Divers shall blow the sand and mud, lower the frames and dig until the object fully emerges, then proceed according to Clause 2.3.7.7.

2.3.8. Sea demining

It applies to underwater or sea demining areas at a depth of 15m or more. The process consists of the following steps:

- Mobilization and removal of the equipment;

- Positioning of the markings of the demining range;

- Detection on seabed surface and from the seabed to the depth of 0.5m with underwater bomb detector, at the water depth of 15m to 30m;

- Detection to the depth of 0.5m to 3m or to 5m from the seabed with underwater bomb detector, at the water depth of 15m to 30m;

- Detection on seabed surface and from the seabed to the depth of 3m or 5m with sonar device and magnetometer, to the water depth of 300m:

+ Each trackline shall run the length of the demining area according to the daily workload but shall be limited to 5km in length.

+ The sonar device and magnetometer shall be disposed 8m to 10m from the seabed;

+ Each trackline shall cover one third of the previous one.

- Positioning and marking of signals to the water depth of 30m;

- Diving and handling of signals to the depth of 0.5m from the seabed, at the water depth of 15m to 30m;

- Diving and handling of signals to the depth of 1m from the seabed, at the water depth of 15m to 30m;

- Diving and handling of signals to the depth of 1m to 3m from the seabed, at the water depth of 15m to 30m;

- Diving with ROV and handling of signals on seabed surface, at the water depth of 30m to 300m;

- Digging and handling of signals to the depth of 1m, at the water depth of 30m to 150m;

- On-site destruction of bombs, mines and explosive ordnances at the water depth of 30m to 150m;

- Planning, digging and handling of signals at the depth of greater than 1m to 3m or to 5m from the water body’s bottom.

2.3.9. Demining equipment

2.3.9.1. Mine detector (near-surface)

2.3.9.1.1. Synchronization: Pursuant to the manufacturers’ standards.

2.3.9.1.2. Technical requirements

- Detection depth required:

+ Anti-personnel mine: at or beyond the depth of 10cm;

+ Anti-tank mine: at or beyond the depth of 60cm.

- Test field:

+ Size: 10m x 10m x 5m;

+ Be not contaminated with magnetic objects (iron, steel);

+ Be covered in clean sand (without magnetic objects).

2.3.9.2. Bomb detector (deep-seeking)

2.3.9.2.1. Synchronization: Pursuant to the manufacturers’ standards.

2.3.9.2.2. Technical requirements

- Turn on the detector then wait for its stabilizing and sounding the word “standard level”;

- Detection depth required:

+ Anti-tank mine: at or beyond the depth of 150cm;

+ 250-kg bomb (or equivalents): at or beyond the depth of 500cm.

- Test field:

+ Size: 10m x 10m x 5m;

+ Be not contaminated with magnetic objects (iron, steel);

+ Be covered in clean sand (without magnetic objects).

2.3.9.3. Equipment for identification and positioning of bombs, mines and explosive ordnances in the sea

2.3.9.3.1. Synchronization: Pursuant to the manufacturers’ standards, embedded with operating software.

2.3.9.3.2. Technical requirements:

- According to the size of bombs, mines and explosive ordnances;

- Sea state: Degree 4;

- Operational depth: from 30m to 300m;

- Positioning accuracy: 1m.

2.3.9.4. Long-range detector

2.3.9.4.1. Synchronization: Pursuant to the manufacturers’ standards.

2.3.9.4.2. Technical requirements:

- Cover a width of 50m to 2000m;

- Cover a range of 50m to 2000m in the existence of obstacles.

2.3.9.5. Water velocity meter

2.3.9.5.1. Synchronization: Pursuant to the manufacturers’ standards.

2.3.9.5.2. Technical requirements:

Measure the water flow speed at 0.1 m/s to 8 m/s.

2.3.9.6. Total station

2.3.9.6.1. Synchronization: Pursuant to the manufacturers’ standards.

2.3.9.6.2. Technical requirements:

- Angle measurement: Display 1”, accuracy 7";

- Optics: Magnification 30x, field of view 1^o30’ (26m to 1000m), minimum focus 1.7m;

- Mode of measurement: Measurable distance of 3500m with single prism (infrared); distance of more than 1000m without prism and 7500m with prism (laser).

2.3.9.7. Personal protective set

2.3.9.7.1. Synchronization: It includes headgear, jacket and footwear (life vest for underwater and sea demining).

2.3.9.7.2. Technical requirements: Pursuant to the manufacturers’ standards, capable of protecting deminers against shock wave and flying fragments.

NOTE:

- - When demining a minefield, the detection and handling staff shall be equipped with protective gears;

- When demining other areas, only handling staff shall be equipped with protective gears.

2.4. Disposal of bombs, mines and explosive ordnances retrieved

2.4.1. Regulations on the gathering, sorting, management, transportation and disposal of bombs, mines and explosive ordnances found during the demining process.

2.4.2. Methods for disposal of bombs, mines and explosive ordnances retrieved: Dismantling of casing for explosive removal; steam sterilization for detachment of casing and explosive; incineration and detonation.

2.4.3. Gathering and sorting of bombs, mines and explosive ordnances retrieved:

2.4.3.1. The warheads of harmless bombs, mines and explosive ordnances, when gathered and transported, shall be rendered safe and stored for scheduled disposal.

2.4.3.2. Bombs, mines and explosive ordnances, when gathered for storage before disposal, shall be sorted by type into various sectors. Bombs, mines and explosive ordnances of different types shall not be mixed up. Bombs, mines and explosive ordnances unstable or filled with inflammables, chemicals, et cetera shall be maintained by technical methods in line with their type.

2.4.3.3. The quantity of bombs, mines and explosive ordnances collected or processed each day shall be fully recorded in a written log and the work journal to avoid errors and omission. Bombs, mines and explosive ordnances found each day shall be transported to the storage site and be not left overnight at the site.

2.4.3.4. If a bomb, mine or explosive ordnance cannot be dug up, salvaged and rendered safe in the day of its detection, signs and guards shall be disposed until the process completes.

2.4.4. Transportation of bombs, mines and explosive ordnances retrieved:

2.4.4.1. Common bombs, mines and explosive ordnances safe for transportation shall be gathered in a defined place, transported at the end of each shift, sorted and arranged at the storage site.

2.4.4.2. Bombs, mines and explosive ordnances, before transported from the gathering place to the storage site for sorting and safeguarding, shall be contained in wooden boxes filled with sand or straw in adherence to the type-oriented principles of safe transportation.

2.4.5. Safekeeping of bombs, mines and explosive ordnances:

2.4.5.1. The site for safekeeping of bombs, mines and explosive ordnances collected during the demining procedure has to be distant from residential areas, demining team's camp, other warehouses and buildings. Bombs, mines and explosive ordnances shall be stored safely and appropriately according to their quantity and types. Safe distance shall be subject to the national technical regulation n^o QCVN 02:2008/BCT on safety in the storage, transportation, use and disposal of industrial explosive materials, annexed to the Decision No. 51/2008/QD-BCT dated December 30, 2008 by the Minister of Industry and Trade.

2.4.5.2 The impact range of explosive waves from the safekeeping site, if the bombs, mines or explosive ordnances stored are detonated for any reasons, shall not reach adjacent buildings (as determined by the total quantity of bombs, mines and explosive ordnances in storage).

2.4.5.3. The safekeeping site shall be guarded and secured closely and strictly in accordance with the General Staff’s regulation of guarding.

2.4.6. Disposal of bombs, mines and explosive ordnances retrieved:

2.4.6.1. The disposal process shall adhere to current technologies. The procedure of disposal of bomb, mine and explosive ordnance is defined in Annex E. If the equipment of the disposal station does not adhere to the regulated procedure, competent authorities shall be reported in writing to provide relevant guideline. The intake and release of bombs, mines and explosive ordnances shall be similar to the management procedure of a true ordnance warehouse.

2.4.6.2. The boxes, wrapping, safety level (bombs, mines and explosive ordnances defused), type, batch, quantity and quality of bombs, mines and explosive ordnances, before disposed, shall be examined.

2.4.6.3. The disposal plan shall adhere to the disposal procedure’s format and be presented to competent authorities for approval.

2.4.6.4. The disposal site shall be convenient for transportation, operations, be environmental friendly and be safely away from buildings and residential areas. Each operation shall proceed at an appropriate position in line with the diagram, distance and size of each defined position of the procedure.

2.4.6.5. Disposal commanders shall possess university-level or higher expertise in weapon and hands-on experience in disposing of bombs, mines and explosive ordnances safely by multiple equivalent methods.

2.4.6.6. Technicians shall possess basic or higher proficiency in weapon, have been trained in disposing of bombs, mines and explosive ordnances by equivalent methods, have passed tests and have been certified in writing.

2.4.6.7. The equipment, materials and vehicles have to comply with the current procedure and norms.

2.4.6.8. Before a disposal process, the relevant plan shall be disseminated while supplemental training and field test(s) are conducted. Relevant agencies, authorities, military units, local residents and drivers of vehicles that often traverse the area shall be notified.

2.4.6.9. The operations based on current technological processes for each type of bomb, mine and explosive ordnance are defined in Annex E.

2.4.6.10. Dismantling of casing for explosive removal shall apply only to the bombs, mines and explosive ordnances defused and composed of a non-metal casing, TNT, Comp B and C-4 for which the handling procedure is available.

2.4.6.11. Steam sterilization for removal of casing and explosive shall only apply to the bombs, mines and explosive ordnances defused. The melting point of the explosive filling, for which the handling procedure is available, is below 100^oC.

2.4.6.12. Incineration shall only apply to the bombs, mines and explosive ordnances defused and rendered unable to explode, blast or discharge or release toxic when burnt.

2.4.6.13. Detonation shall only apply to the post-war bombs, mines and explosive ordnances to which dismantling, steam sterilization and incineration are not applicable (often applicable to the bombs, mines and explosive ordnances that do not qualify for transportation and retrieval).

2.4.6.14. Every object retrieved shall be fully registered for management after being processed. The subsequent plan shall be recommended to competent authorities for approval.

2.4.6.15. Safety principles of the handling procedure for each type of bomb, mine and explosive ordnance shall be obeyed to maintain absolute safety.

2.4.6.16. The result of the disposal process, when completed, shall be reported to relevant functional agencies.

2.4.7. The gathering, sorting, transportation and disposal of bombs, mines and explosive ordnances retrieved shall be governed by Clause 2.2.12.11 and 2.2.12.12.

2.5. Acceptance and delivery

2.5.1. Only the demining tasks adhering to the regulated technical procedure, the technical plan approved and the requirements defined in Clause 2.5 shall qualify for acceptance.

2.5.2. The projects (works) incompletely finished, if their shortcomings do not affect their quality, may be accepted and shall be subjected to rectification then re-inspection.

2.5.3. The process of acceptance of the projects (works) shall abide by the technical plan approved and the regulated technical procedure.

2.5.4. The acceptance reports during the work and upon the launch of the facilities shall evidence the finalization of payments for the projects (works) completed.

2.5.5. The finished projects (works) redone but failing quality requirements shall not qualify for acceptance.

2.5.6. The investor or its supervisory unit shall regularly inspect the field works.

2.5.7. The steps for acceptance of work quality shall consist of the acceptance of workload and the acceptance of facilities for practical deployment.

2.5.8. The content of acceptance of project (work) quality shall consist of the acceptance of works, the acceptance of work phases and the acceptance of project (work) completion for practical deployment.

2.5.8.1. Work acceptance

- Participants in the acceptance process include the investor’s supervisor or supervisory advisor, and the contractor’s chief of works;

- Such participants shall be responsible for inspecting and accepting directly the sections completed during the work;

- The necessary conditions are that the candidate for acceptance has been completed, fully documented, accepted internally in writing and recommended by the contractor in writing for acceptance;

- Content and sequence of acceptance: Inspect the site, examine the documents indexed, compare the findings with the technical plan approved and technical procedure, evaluate the quality and conclude;

- Site inspection:

+ Inspect the work quality at certain positions (generally 20m x 20m) by probability method; however, the inspection shall not cover less than 1% of the total area demined;

+ Check and compare the area's markings with the as-built drawing of the demined area, check the workload completed.

- Conclusion: Accept the works under inspection; reject the works inconsistent with the technical plan approved or the regulated technical procedure;

- The acceptance form is defined in Annex F.

2.5.8.2. Phase acceptance

- Participants in the acceptance process include the investor’s chief of work supervision or supervisory advisor, and the contractor’s chief of works;

- Such participants shall be responsible for conducting directly the process of acceptance in no later than 3 days upon receiving the contractor’s request;

- Necessary conditions for acceptance: The candidate for acceptance has been completed in regard to all tasks, phases and acceptance process defined in Clause 2.5.8.1 and the relevant documents are fully accessible;

- Content and sequence of acceptance: Inspect the site, examine the documents indexed, compare the findings with the technical plan approved and technical procedure, evaluate the quality and conclude;

- Conclusion: Accept the works under inspection, reject the works inconsistent with the technical plan approved or the regulated technical procedure;

- The phase acceptance form is defined in Annex G.

2.5.8.3. Acceptance of project (work) completion for practical deployment

- Participants in the acceptance process include: The investor (its legal representative and chief of work supervision, the contractor (its legal representative and chief of works), the technical planning contractor at the investor’s request (its legal representative and the planner) and other individuals (as requested by the investor);

- Such participants shall be responsible for: Conducting directly the inspection and acceptance procedure for practical deployment in no later than 5 days upon receiving the contractor's or the investor’s written request, and ending the acceptance procedure by the schedule defined by the investor;

- Necessary conditions for acceptance: The candidate for acceptance has been completed in regard to all tasks and phases defined in Clause 2.5.8.1 and 2.5.8.2; and the documents on legal matters, completion and contractor’s internal acceptance of the candidate for acceptance are full accessible;

- Content and sequence of acceptance: Inspect the completed project (work) on-site; examine the documents indexed; examine the preparatory conditions for the practical deployment of the project (work); examine and evaluate the demining quality of the candidate for acceptance; compare the work result with the technical plan approved; assess and conclude;

- Conclusion: Accept the works under inspection, reject the projects (works) upon detecting flaws in the work quality;

- The form for acceptance of project (work) completion for practical deployment is defined in Annex H.

2.5.9. The delivery of the project (work) means the contractor’s delivery of the entire completed project (work) site under the employer’s use and care.

2.5.10. The principles, content and delivery of the projects (works) completed for practical deployment shall be regulated.

2.5.11. The projects (works) completed and delivered for practical deployment consist of all works that adhere to the technical plan approved. The delivery of the projects (works) shall only progress after the technical acceptance process completes according to "project acceptance" standards and the flaws stated in the acceptance record have been rectified.

2.5.12. Content of project (work) delivery:

2.5.12.1. Participants: The representative of the investor (Party A) as the lead coordinator; the representative of the supervisory and advisory organization (if any); the representative of the contractor (Party B); the representative of the technical planning contractor.

2.5.12.2. Tasks of project (work) delivery: Set the delivery schedule; examine the documents on technical acceptance of the project (work); reckon the quality-related errors exposed during the inspection for delivery and hold relevant entities responsible for settling such errors; record the delivery of the project (work) in writing. The form for delivery of completed project (work) is defined in Annex I.

2.5.12.3. The contractor shall transfer the following documents to the investor upon the process of delivery: The as-built drawing of the project (work); documents regarding changes to the design; documents on the acceptance of phases of the project (work); and the record of project (work) acceptance.

2.5.13. The investor shall bear the following responsibility and rights: Formulate the project (work) delivery schedule; organize the project (work) delivery meetings; receive the project (work) and all documents regarding the technical and work plans; reject the delivery of the project (work) that has not been accepted or rectified by the contractor in regard to the flaws stated in the technical acceptance record.

2.5.14. The contractor bears the following responsibility and rights: Deliver the project (work) to the investor on schedule; rectify the flaws on schedule according to the technical acceptance and project (work) delivery records; handle the formalities for finalization of payments for the project (work); file complaints to quality-assessing government authorities if the project's quality is assured but the investor rejects or does not initiate the delivery process on schedule.

2.5.15. Responsibility and rights and the technical planning contractor: Participate in the delivery of the project (work); refuse to sign the project (work) delivery record if the work does not adhere to the design; approve (or disapprove) the temporary delivery of works for practical deployment prior to the full delivery.

2.6. Medical support

2.6.1. Deminers shall be from 18 years of age.

2.6.2. Individuals recruited for demining activities shall be accordingly healthy and succumb to no diseases that affect the assignments planned.

2.6.3. All workers on the demining site shall undergo health checkup once or twice a year by a capable doctor in a medical facility capable of performing health examination for demining tasks. Deminers shall not contract physical, mental, contagious and allergic diseases or other illnesses that may affect their ability to perform demining tasks.

2.6.4. Demining organizations shall formulate and maintain the plan(s) for response to demining accidents in each demining site. Such plan shall indicate: The required training and certificates of all workers in the demining site; the apparatus necessary for implementing the accident response plan; the location of hospital(s) with appropriate medical staff and equipment.

2.6.5. Measures for minimizing risks of demining incidents and collective accidents shall be established and maintained. The scout team is capable of performing first aid and equipped with medical equipment necessary for responding to demining accidents.

2.6.6. Formulate and retain the documents on demining site management (blood type, infectious diseases and allergies of each worker), on transportation of victims to medical facilities with appropriate medical staff and equipment, and on insurance policies for various events.

2.6.7. Examine the emergency response procedure and transfer of wounded individuals upon an accident to an appropriate treatment or surgery facility.

2.6.8. Propagate to all deminers the health risks such as insects, contagions, diseases originating from water, venomous animals or insects in the demining area, infection with toxics (e.g. dioxins, hazardous chemicals, radioactive substances, etc.) in the demining area;

2.6.9. Provide medicines, antibiotics and other protective equipment when necessary. Vaccinate against diseases such as tetanus, yellow fever and hepatitis in timely manner according to the advises of local or international health specialists.

2.6.10. The plan for demining accident response shall stipulate responsibilities for:

2.6.10.1. Management of on-site emergency response procedure, for example: Moving of victims out of danger or demining machines;

2.6.10.2. On-site first aid and medical support: General recuperation and resuscitation techniques; temporary hemostasis; wound bandaging; temporary fixation of broken bones; moving of victims out of danger;

2.6.10.3. Transfer of victims to medical facilities with appropriate expertise and surgical capacities: Transfer route (by air, by land, by water) and vehicles (airplane, ship, ambulance or equivalents); transfer security; fuel, food and vehicle repair accessories during the transfer;

2.6.10.4. Medical care and treatment of victims during their transfer from the accident site to a surgery facility;

2.6.10.5. Establishment and maintenance of facilities, equipment and medicines for responding to demining accidents: Medicines, facilities and equipment for on-site medical care; specialized or stationary first aid apparatus that support the monitoring of victims during their transfer to a treatment or surgery institution; prepare and maintain on-site and in-transfer communication. Organize personnel and minimum equipment for medical support on the demining area as stated in Annex K.

2.6.11. Demining teams in each demining site shall have resources to:

2.6.11.1. Transfer victims swiftly out of danger;

2.6.11.2. Provide first aid to the victims in 3 to 5 minutes after their demining work accident;

2.6.11.3. In no more than 6 hours afterwards, the victims have to be transferred to an appropriate medical treatment institution;

2.6.11.4. Provide health care during the transfer;

2.6.11.5. Contact medical facilities, emergency teams or other organizations to cooperate in supporting the demining organization's response to demining accidents.

2.6.12. The staff in each demining site shall be equipped and trained to:

2.6.12.1. Move victims away from danger or demining equipment;

2.6.12.2. Evaluate victims’ wounds and prioritize emergency care and transportation;

2.6.12.3. Perform first aid processes: General recuperation and resuscitation techniques; shock prevention; temporary hemostasis; wound cleaning and bandaging; temporary fixation of broken bones; moving of victims according to guidelines.

2.6.12.4. Provide anti-tetanus vaccine and medicine if the victims receive no support defined in Clause 2.6.12.3 in 6 hours following the accident.

2.6.13. Demining organizations shall assure that each demining team has:

2.6.13.1. Member(s) trained in (5 basic) first aid techniques and given resources (including communication tools) necessary for responding to accidents and transferring victims to the intermediate or nearest medical treatment institution;

2.6.13.2. Deploy sufficient personnel to manage and initiate appropriate emergency response processes, including the reduction of demining accident risks against numerous people.

2.6.14. Workers or site supervisors at work shall be adequately trained in warning measures to prevent demining accident risks and take essential actions upon demining accidents. The training of demining personnel in medical support is defined in Annex L.

2.7. Investigation of demining incidents

2.7.1. Reporting of demining incidents to state management authorities in charge of mine action:

2.7.1.1. Accidents caused by bombs, mines or explosive ordnances against demining personnel, inspection teams or local residents in the demining area;

2.7.1.2. Destruction of demining equipment or properties due to demining incidents;

2.7.1.3. Detection of bomb, mine or explosive ordnance in a demined area;

2.7.14. Deminers in jeopardy by employing standards, technical processes and demining equipment (in this case, such standards, technical processes or equipment are faulty and lead to incident risks when deployed at work);

2.7.1.5. All unplanned explosions in the demining site, regardless of reasons or consequences.

2.7.2. The reporting of demining incidents consists of preliminary and detailed reports pursuant to Annex M and Annex N.

2.7.3. Preliminary report of demining incidents is made in two manners: By phone and in writing, by fax or by email. The preliminary report shall furnish basic information on demining incidents for the state management authorities in charge of mine action to provide timely supports in emergency events and to give a universal warning to other demining organizations in regard to the incidents that result from the utilization of standards, technical processes and equipment.

2.7.4. The detailed report indicates the result of the demining organization’s internal investigation, which has to completes swiftly (in no more than 7 days) after the occurrence of an incident. The investigation of incidents shall be at the discretion of state management authorities in charge of mine action on case basis.

2.7.5. The investigation of demining incidents aims at determining the possibilities of demining incidents to preclude similar events for heightened safety and quality of the demining procedure. The investigation of demining incidents shall be independent from the legal investigation of accidents. The following demining incidents shall be subjected to investigation:

2.7.5.1. Bomb and mine accidents that inflict human casualties;

2.7.5.2. Bomb and mine incidents that dilapidate assets;

2.7.5.3. Bomb and mine incidents whose resultant damage leads to a community member's claim for restitution;

2.7.5.4. Bomb and mine incidents in relation with a large-scale event of significant devastation;

2.7.5.5. Bomb and mine incidents in connection with the detection of bombs, mines or explosive ordnances omitted in a demined area;

2.7.5.6. Bomb and mine incidents that jeopardize deminers due to their utilization of standards, technical processes or demining equipment;

2.7.5.7. Bomb and mine incidents concerning an explosion of a bomb, mine or explosive ordnance in a demining area;

2.7.5.8. Bomb and mine incidents that attract the attention of the media.

2.7.6. An investigation of demining incidents shall be subject to the following requirements:

2.7.6.1. The investigation begins as soon as possible;

2.7.6.2. Designated participants in an official investigation are not connected with the incident and are capable, experienced and skilled accordingly;

2.7.6.3. The incident area shall be guarded for the longest duration possible until the investigation ends in order to avoid the loss of valuable information;

2.7.6.4. Photos of the incident area have to be taken promptly;

2.7.6.5. An investigation report shall be delivered according to regulations and be (along with conclusions and recommendations for improving the situation, if available) assuredly evident and accurate, except special circumstances.

2.7.7. An investigation of demining incidents is composed of the internal and independent investigations, the level of which is defined in Annex O.

2.7.8. Internal investigation shall be conducted by an appropriate specialist and an experienced member of the demining organization, who is not directly involved in the incident. A detailed report on the demining incident shall normally constitute this investigation.

2.7.9. Independent investigation shall be conducted by specialists with proper expertise and experience from state management authorities in charge of mine action. An independent investigation team shall consist of 3 members, one of who belongs to the demining organization but is not directly involved in the incident.

2.7.10. State management authorities in charge of mine action shall be responsible for propagating the information on demining incidents. The following information shall be publicly disclosed:

2.7.10.1. The events that cause the incidents and consequential impacts;

2.7.10.2. The analysis of the information gained during the investigation;

2.7.10.3. Conclusions and assessments upon the completion of the investigation.

2.7.11. State management authorities in charge of mine action:

2.7.11.1. Formulate the principles of reporting and investigation of demining incidents;

2.7.11.2. Assign personnel to investigate demining incidents;

2.7.11.3. Propagate the findings of all reports and investigations of demining incidents to demining organizations.

2.7.12. Demining organizations:

2.7.12.1. Report every demining incident to the state management authorities in charge of mine action with the regulated form(s) and within the defined time;

2.7.12.2. Take on-site photographs of a demining incident promptly and guard the site until the incident undergoes investigation;

2.7.12.3. Provide equipment and personnel (if necessary) for investigating the incidents;

2.7.12.4. Prepare the documents on initial technical surveys, technical processes, training and demining equipment for the investigation process;

2.7.12.5. Support the individuals designated to investigate demining incidents;

2.7.12.6. Be prepared to furnish investigation findings to other demining organizations (upon request).

2.7.13. Deminers:

2.7.13.1. Conform strictly to the standards and technical processes announced and endorsed to preclude demining incidents;

2.7.13.2. Report the shortcomings that pose the risk of incidents during the training process or deployment of standards or technical processes;

2.7.13.3. Report the incidents ensuing in timely manner;

2.7.13.4. Support the organizations investigating the incidents.

3. RESPONSIBILITIES OF ORGANIZATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS

3.1. Domestic and foreign organizations and individuals concerning the mine action in the territories of Vietnam have to abide by Article 2 of this Regulation.

3.2. Corps of Engineers shall be responsible for instructing and guiding demining organizations to perform demining activities pursuant to this Regulation.

3.3. Directorate for Standards, Metrology and Quality shall be responsible for cooperating with the Corps of Engineers in formulating standards as the technical basis for implementing this Regulation.

4. IMPLEMENTATION

4.1. Directorate for Standards, Metrology and Quality shall be responsible for cooperating with the Corps of Engineers in guiding and inspecting the implementation of this Regulation.

4.2. The effect of the documents mentioned in this Regulation shall adhere to their amendments and replacements, if ensuing.