Cumbria ACF - Force Protection Newsletter Summer 2013 | Page 2

After what has seemed like a very long winter we now find ourselves occasionally enjoying the feeling the sun on our faces .

With Annual Camp rapidly approaching , so too are the sunnier days and warmer temperatures . These come with different risks especially when undertaking strenuous physical exercise and spending long periods in the sun whilst working .

“ JSP 539 Climatic Illness & Injuries in the Armed Forces : Force Protection and Initial Medical Treatment , Version 2.1 was published in Nov 12 and provides some excellent guidance to Commanders in managing heat related injuries . This article seeks to commend this publication and introduce a number of key points . However , the JSP does need to be understood as a whole .

Commanders Heat Illness Risk Assessment Checklist

The Commanders Heat Illness Risk Assessment Checklist ( JSP 539 , Chap 2 , Annex A , Appendix 1 ) is an easily understood checklist with prompts for nine risk factors to include as part of the risk assessment . The checklist format enables Commanders to record their review of these factors .

We need to risk assess all of our work activities . It is therefore suggested that the Commanders ’ Checklist provides an excellent aide memoire to support the completion of JSP 375 leaflet 39 risk assessment . ( Mod Form 5010a )

Personal Risk Factors

Oceans , rivers and waterways form vital components for developed civilisations . Many population centres are located on rivers and coasts , both of which act as obstacles and lines of communication . It is easy to see how our ACF training operations are likely to be influenced by the freedoms and limitations imposed by water , and hence why it is important to train in , on or around our waterways .

Unfortunately , water ( particularly when using boats and crafts ) also presents a hazardous environment , which can lead to any number of incidents ranging from drowning , hypothermia and exposure , through to sunburn , infection and diseases .

Before conducting any activities involving waterman ship , it is imperative that appropriately trained and experienced personnel are involved with the planning and conduct of the activity . They will ensure that the activity is conducted in a safe manner and that the equipment used is appropriate , serviceable and available for use .

The 10 “ memory joggers ” below will ensure that the challenging and rewarding nature of conducting water based training can also be safe :

We have a responsibility to ourselves as well as to those for whom we have a management or supervisory responsibility . As such , the 12 personal risk factors in JSP 539 are useful points when considering the risk of those under our supervision , but equally importantly , when assessing and managing ourselves :

Being overweight Lack of physical fitness Lack of sleep Smoking ( not ex smokers ) Alcohol intake within the last 48 hrs Mild illness – Diarrhoea , common cold & fever Dehydration Medication or illegal drugs Poor nutritional intake Air travel within the last 48 hrs Un-acclimatised personnel Evidence of previous heat illness Some of these risk factors may be unavoidable in certain training scenarios , however there is no excuse for the lack of physical fitness , significant alcohol intake before a planned event with cadets or the use of illegal drugs . We also need to be attentive to personal factors throughout any physical activity e . g . water intake ( not too much or too little ), nutritional needs and mild illness .