Letter to the Editor
Dear Editor:
I was looking over the Issue 14.3 of the The Journal of ERW and Mine Action yesterday and Mr. Khalid Ibrahim Hamed’s article, “Mine Action in North Sudan” (pages 44-46). I was quite concerned about the chance of the worker’s eyes being injured when I saw he was not wearing his safety glasses properly. In the photo on page 45, open sparks are clearly flying up from his hand-held grinding wheel. Although his body is hiding the workspace, it is clear that his eyes are uncovered, since his glasses are on his forehead. If a spark were to hit him in the face or eye, he would be quickly thrown off balance and fall since he is working with his crutch under his mid-thigh amputated leg. If he falls, the hand grinder’s wheel may still be spinning and could cause additional cuts. Ideally, he should have a prosthetic leg while working. I am also concerned about the workers catching their crutches and tripping on the electrical cords that are lying on the bare earth floor beneath them.
I work in adaptive technology tools as a prosthetic technician. I am curious whether Sudan has occupational health and safety legislation that covers these issues. Certainly preventing secondary injuries is of prime importance for workers with disabilities across mine action. I would ask that you or Mr. Khalid Ibrahim Hamed please contact the victim-assistance program under the National Mine Action Centre and ask them to insist that workers cover their eyes with their safety goggles while working and that electrical cords are safely placed. I have learned that the workers pictured do not have prosthetic legs. Could the NMAC also help with that issue?
I encourage dialogue on safe work practices for all workers in mine action, particularly those living with disabilities, and encourage active support for injured deminers. Thank you; I hope you do not mind me contacting you regarding these safety issues.
Yours sincerely,
Maureen Morton, Project Assistance Inc.
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