Bomb disposal teams ‘shouldn’t have to return to duty after a 24-hour shift’
TROOPS have called for a ban on work practices which force bomb disposal teams to return to duty immediately after completing a 24-hour shift.
They say the specialist teams can be expected to undertake range duties, where live ammunition is fired, after they have worked round the clock.
They also accused the Department of Defence of ignoring the inherent dangers by failing to implement the working time directive, which was introduced in legislation to ensure the health and safety of workers.
Ger Guinan, general secretary of Pdforra, the representative association for soldiers, sailors and air crew, said yes-
terday that progress in talks with the department had been stalled for “a very long time”.
He said the risks involved in such work practices were not confined to the ordnance teams but affected other military personnel, who worked well beyond the maximum time of 48 hours, averaged over a 17-week period.
Mr Guinan told the association’s annual conference in Castlebar that they were tired of the ongoing procrastination by the department.
He called on Minister with responsibility for Defence Paul Kehoe to “get his house in order. The whole thing seems to be all at sea with no one manning the wheel”.
“Delegates have come to conference year after year to hear the minister tell them that the matter is complex but is on the legislative agenda,” he added.
The conference also called for the immediate employment of a psychiatrist and delegates said the lack of such a vital service for members was inexcusable and created unacceptable risks for people.