Risk assessment at outdoor operating small arms ranges: A Canadian case study

Efrosyni-Maria Skordaki, Nicholas Vlachopoulos

In the proceedings of: GeoOttawa 2017: 70th Canadian Geotechnical Conference; 12th joint with IAH-CNC

Session: Reliability and Risk II

ABSTRACT: Proactive risk management of operating small arms ranges (SAR) is necessary as spent ammunition at outdoor ranges can have a damaging effect on the environment. Heavy metals from projectiles or targets used at a range can potentially migrate in the environment. The RMC Green Team of the Royal Military College of Canada has conducted multiple risk assessments on SAR sites across Canada. This paper presents a best-practices methodology that is based on our results obtained from long-term case studies on SAR in Canada. This methodology takes into account environmental and intrinsic (physical) parameters as well as usage and maintenance practices. The effective monitoring of firing ranges operations that is grounded in environmental stewardship principles can minimize impacts on human health, the environment and support sustainable usage of firing ranges.

RÉSUMÉ: Gestion proactive des champs de tir des armes légères est nécessaire car les munitions usée en ces champs Des métaux lourds de projectiles ou utilisés à champs de tir verte du CMR du Collège Militaire Royal du Canada a effectué plusieurs évaluations des risques sur ces champs partout au Canada. Cet article présente une méthodologie de pratiques de gestion exemplaires qui repose sur nos résultats obtenus à partir des études de cas à long terme sur les champs de tir des armes légères au Canada. Cette méthodologie prend en compte les paramètres (physique) intrinsèque et environnementales ainsi que pratiques surveillance efficace des opérations des champs de tir qui est ancrée dans les principes de gérance de soutien des champs de tir.

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