Guidelines for Evaluation of Canadian Forces Indoor Firing Ranges.

Abstract

Indoor Firing Ranges (IFR) within DND are typically used by Canadian Forces (CF) personnel, Cadets, RCMP, and civilian organizations for firing small bore weapons in support of both operational/ occupational and recreational requirements. As indoor ranges are an enclosed space, control measures must be in place to ensure that contaminants generated during weapons' firing are kept within acceptable exposure limits. The contaminant of most concern when firing a weapon in an enclosed space is lead. During firing lead from the round is physically chaffed off as the round passes down the barrel and further lead is released as the round strikes the backstop. All of this contributes to the presence of airborne lead and exposure to a contaminant which can cause a major respiratory health concern. Thus, it is important to ensure that lead exposures are kept As Low As Reasonably Achievable (ALARA) through the consistent, thorough evaluation of all aspects of an IFR. Assessment of the potential lead exposure, within an IFR, requires an evaluation of the current cleaning procedures, sanitation practices of users, assessment of IFR ventilation, air monitoring of lead concentrations, and monitoring of blood lead levels of personnel when required. Due to the potential health implications it is essential that inspections of FR be complete. Thus, this guideline has been written with the intention of providing a comprehensive "step by step" methodology for evaluating IFR's within DND. It is intended for use by Preventive Medicine Technician's (PMed Techs) who are aware and comfortable with the principles and practices of Industrial Hygiene: specifically those trained in the use and handling of air sampling pumps; velometers; calibrators; and, the general concepts of conducting an Indoor Firing Range survey.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 1999
Accession Number
ADA361661

Entities

People

  • B. H. Sabiston
  • Y. D. Severs

Organizations

  • Defence Research and Development Canada

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Carbon Monoxide
  • Diagrams
  • Dielectric Gases
  • Engineering
  • Environmental Monitoring
  • Environmental Pollutants
  • Health Services
  • Hygiene
  • Industrial Hygiene
  • Measurement
  • Medical Personnel
  • National Security
  • Occupational Safety And Health
  • Phase
  • Pressure Measurement
  • Preventive Medicine
  • Safety

Readers

  • Aviation Safety Risk Assessment.
  • Occupational Health and Safety.
  • ballistics.

Technology Areas

  • Space