Range Safety Brief – Diggle Rifle Range
Aim
The aim of this brief is to ensure that the competition / practice
detail is carried out safely and efficiently as possible in accordance with
Diggle Range Orders and keeping associated risks as low as reasonable
practicable for all.
Staffing
The following are nominated to to fill the appointments as follows:
RCO
First Aider
Butts Duty IC (If Applicable)
Butts Team (If Applicable)
Safety Supervisors (If Applicable)
Scoring / Admin (If Applicable)
Admin
Vehicles / Parking / Signing In (Inc visitors and fees and verify FAC)
/ Range Fees / Facilities
Course of Fire
Course of Fire – inc range / sighting in / scoring / ammunition
requirements / specific words of command / timings
Firearms / Ammunition Permitted to be Used
It is the shooters responsibility to comply with the ranges safety
certification limits – Max calibre 0.577in / Max Muzzle Energy 6000ft/lb / Max
Muzzle Velocity 4000fps. HME weapons (4500 joules) should be pre-zeroed. HME
shooters should advise the RCO prior to the commencement of the shoot and the
local HME requirements discussed. Tracer and S5 firearms may only be used with
permission of the PSSA Committee.
Range Layout (as required)
Firing Point / Butts Loc inc routes to and from / Concurrent ranges in
use and restrictions / Range in use flag / Danger Area (inc visibility) / Stop
Board or red butts flag / Range restrictions eg usage of the plate box / Admin
area / No fumble zones / Shot Marker IP 192.168.100.1 (if used)
Range Procedure
At all times the directions / instructions of the RCO are
to be followed by all participants. If the RCO leaves the firing point due to unforeseen circumstances no
shooting may take place.
Each shooter has a personal responsibility to ensure that
their conduct, actions and drills maximise the safety of themselves and others
whilst minimising risk. Shooters
must be fully familiar with the weapon and its function that they are using on
the range. Shooters must ensure that their weapon and ammunition are fully
serviceable prior to firing. The following points are to promote a safe range
environment for all:
1. No weapons are to
be taken onto the firing point until instructed.
2. No bolts are to be placed into rifles until instructed and no one is to aim a rifle or insert a bolt unless on the firing point. ***Shotguns? / Semi Auto .22 specific details***
3. Load and fire only
on the instructions of the RCO.
4. Weapons to be pointed down range in the direction of the butts at all times. Cross lane firing is not permitted.
5. Weapons must not be handled when the red marker board or red stop butt flag is shown. If the board or flag are raised during firing then shout STOP STOP STOP.
6. Weapons must not be
handled when anyone is forward of the firing point.
7. Misfires – Observe for 30s / keep pointing down range / inform RCO. Defective ammunition should not be re-fired
8. ND’s – To be
reported immediately to the RCO
9. Hard Extractions / Stoppages – 2 hard extractions or stoppages maximum before dismissal from the detail for that particular weapon. Defective ammunition should not be re-fired.
10. Hearing protection is mandatory and is to be worn at all times when the range is ‘live’ by all persons on the range. Hearing loss due to noise exposure is permanent. Eye protection is optional but strongly advised. All persons must ensure that their eye and ear protection is serviceable.
11. Only shooters are
allowed onto the firing point other persons are to stand well back.
12. Remove all brass /
casings at the end of the detail as well as any litter.
13. Alcohol must not be consumed before or during shooting. Smoking is not permitted in the covered firing points.
14. Range vehicles are used at each individuals personal risk and operators and passengers are to ensure they are familiar with the vehicles use.
15. Shooters are advised to ensure that they have adequate personal and 3rd party accident insurance for the activity in the event of any claim or injury prior to shooting (BASC / NRA / CPSA)
16. Report any damages
/ breakages / injuries to the RCO for recording prior to leaving the range.
Weapon Clearance – The RCO is responsible for ensuring that all weapons
are inspected and cleared before they are taken from the firing point, however it is the individual shooters
responsibility to ensure that the weapon is presented for inspection and
cleared before leaving the firing point.
STOP STOP STOP Procedure – Everyone involved in the practice should be mindful
of human incursions into the RDA, if there is any livestock incursion into or
close to the line of fire, an unsafe practice observed, accident has or is
about to occur or you see the red stop board or butt flag raised during firing
then you must shout STOP STOP STOP loudly. Anyone may give this command,
however only the RCO may authorise firing too recommence.
If the RCO requires firing to STOP then the command STOP STOP STOP will
be given. Similarly this may be given by another RCO via the radio system.
Actions on STOP STOP STOP – Shooters will immediately stop
shooting, lay down their weapons and step back from the firing point. Weapons
will be cleared once the immediate danger has been alleviated.
Medical / Accident Procedure
Actions on Medical / Casualty (IA) – STOP STOP STOP to be
declared and firing to cease. The RCO or nominated staff will move to the scene
to assess the casualty. Immediate first aid will be administered and Range
House and other ranges informed as required. There is a first aid kit in the range
house (state any other loc). All participants should be prepared to undertake
tasking as directed by the RCO.
Actions on Medical / Casualty (Minor Casualty) – After the IA has been
carried out specific first aid will be carried out either at the range house or
on the range as appropriate with the casualty being moved on foot or by vehicle
as needed with follow on care at the nearest hospital / medical facility as
required.
Actions on Medical / Casualty (Major Casualty) – After the IA has been
carried out the RCO will direct that a call for an ambulance using the 999
system is made. The location is Diggle Rifle Range, Diggle, Oldham, OL3 5LB.
approx 1 mile east of Diggle Village. Range House Grid Ref: SE022083 /
What3Words: nylon.pets.prompts. State the type of incident, casualty numbers
and nature of injuries along with any other identified hazards. The RCO will
deploy 1 x person to the main gate to act as a guide for arriving emergency services. All participants
should be prepared to support the RCO in preserving life and maximising safety
of the casualty and others. No one should leave the range complex until
instructed.
The nearest hospital is Tameside General Hospital, Darton Road,
Ashton-under-Lyne 0161 330 8373.
Injuries to livestock must be reported to the RCO who will then
complete the relevant reporting.
After the casualty has been dealt with the RCO will complete the
relevant accident reporting as required.
Dynamic Risk Assessment
All shooters and visitors should be mindful of slips, trips and falls
as well as manual handling when on the range complex. All persons should
conduct their own dynamic risk assessment in line with their own physical
abilities as required in line with the activities being undertaken prior to and
whilst participating in the practice to ensure their own personal safety and
that of others.
COVID
Detail any COVID-19 restrictions / regs / PPE requirements in force.
Questions? If in doubt ask.
Range Staff Tasking
Safety Supervisors –
The Safety Supervisors are responsible for the safe conduct of firing as
directed by the RCO and in particular they are to:
1. Ensure the safe
handling of weapons on the firing point at all times.
2. Ensure that correct
targets are engaged.
3. Intervene if a
breach of safety is about to occur.
4. Stay alert at all
times.
Butts Duty IC –
The Butts IC is responsible for the operation of the targets as directed
including where applicable shot marking / scoring as tasked by the RCO in
particular they are to:
1. Listen via radio or other means for signals from the RCO during the practice and present targets and signal flags / boards as instructed by the RCO.
2. The Butts IC is to brief the butts party and is to ensure that the safety rules are explained and understood as well as the scoring / marking requirements.
3. The Butts IC must ensure that all butts party understand that no one may leave the butt without permission of the Butts IC.
4. The Butts IC must not give permission until told to do so by the RCO. The butt flag / stop board must be raised before any movement to or from the butts.
5. In the event of loss of communications to the firing point or other emergency (including RDA incursions observed) the Butts IC will instruct the butts flag / stop board to be raised and await contact from the firing point.
6. Ensure that the
butts party remains under ballistic cover during the practice.
Prior to Firing the Butts IC is to:
1. Test communications
to the RCO as well as any alternative / back up system
2. Brief the butts party as required and remind to stay under ballistic cover. NB if .22 is being used over 100yards then butts party to remain in cover at the designated location as per range orders.
3. Detail butts team
to target frames and test the frames that are to be used and install targets.
4. Test the marking
system to be used as required / patch out any old shot holes.
5. Install wind flags
as required.
6. Advise butts party
about the requirement for hearing and eye protection as required.
7. Ensure that first
aid pack is taken to the butts as required.
Key Locations
Diggle Access Road – Grid SE019081
Diggle Range House – Grid SE022083 / What3Words: nylon.pets.prompts.
RVP Main Gate – What3Words: everybody.limiting.harder
Clay Range – What3Words: flushed.spine.conforms
A Range 100 yard Covered firing point – What3Words:
modem.juicy.ordering
B Range 300 yard Covered firing point – What3Words:
went.licks.crucially
B Range Butts Entry – What3Words: condition.audio.contrived
C Range 600 yard Covered firing point – What3Words: dolls.asks.advice
C Range 1000 yard Covered firing point – What3Words: shunning.transit.flask
C Range Butts Entry – What3Words: challenge.unites.losing
D Range Covered firing point – What3Words: rocker.greyhound.flame