DAOD 2051-0, Range Safety

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Definitions
3. Policy Direction
4. Consequences
5. Authorities
6. References

1. Introduction

Date of Issue: 2019-12-12

Application: This DAOD is a directive that applies to employees of the Department of National Defence (DND employees) and an order that applies to officers and non-commissioned members of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF members).

Supersession:

• CFAO 9-20, Range Safety Officers
• CFAO 50-11, Rifle Associations
• CFAO 50-15, Small Arms Competitions  ̶  Canadian Forces
• CFAO 50-16, Recreational Shooting Competition
• CANFORGEN 225/11, Management Authority for DND/CF Range and Field Safety

Approval Authority: Chief of the Army Staff (C Army)

Enquiries: Canadian Army Command Senior Safety Officer (CA CSSO)

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2. Definitions

danger (danger)

Any hazard, condition or activity that could reasonably be expected to be an imminent or serious threat to the life or health of a person exposed to it before the hazard or condition can be corrected or the activity altered. (Subsection 122(1) of the Canada Labour Code)

explosive (explosif)

Any thing that is made, manufactured or used to produce an explosion or a detonation or pyrotechnic effect, and includes any thing prescribed to be an explosive by the regulations, but does not include gases, organic peroxides or any thing prescribed not to be an explosive by the regulations. (Section 2 of the Explosives Act)

firearm (arme à feu)

A barrelled weapon from which any shot, bullet or other projectile can be discharged and that is capable of causing serious bodily injury or death to a person, and includes any frame or receiver of such a barrelled weapon and anything that can be adapted for use as a firearm. (Section 2 of the Criminal Code)

hazardous occurrence (situation comportant des risques)

An event or series of events that results, or has the potential to result, in injury, illness or death, or damage to materiel, real property, immovables or the environment, regardless of the severity of the injury, illness or damage.

Note: DND and CAF policies and instructions set out notification, investigation and reporting requirements for all hazardous occurrences. (Defence Terminology Bank record number 694257)

hazardous range occurrence (situation comportant des risques dans le champ de tir)

A hazardous occurrence that happens during the conduct of, or results from, a range activity. (Defence Terminology Bank record number to be assigned)

range (champ de tir)

A designated sub-surface, surface or aerial space where there is the presence of danger due to the use of weapons, ammunition or explosives. (Defence Terminology Bank record number to be assigned)

range activity (activité dans le champ de tir)

An activity conducted within a range. (Defence Terminology Bank record number to be assigned)

range safety (sécurité dans le champ de tir)

Protection from danger and hazards arising out of, linked with or occurring in the course of a range activity. (Defence Terminology Bank record number to be assigned)

weapon (arme)

Any thing used, designed to be used or intended for use

             (a)  in causing death or injury to any person, or

             (b)  for the purpose of threatening or intimidating any person

and, without restricting the generality of the foregoing, includes a firearm and, for the purposes of sections 88, 267 and 272 of the Criminal Code, any thing used, designed to be used or intended for use in binding or tying up a person against their will. (Section 2 of the Criminal Code)

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3. Policy Direction

Context

3.1 Detailed range safety-related responsibilities for DND employees and CAF members are set out in the National Defence Range Safety Orders and Directives (NDRSOD).

Policy Statement

3.2 The DND and the CAF are committed to ensuring:

1. that DND employees, CAF members, employees of the Staff of the Non-Public Funds, Canadian Forces (NPF employees) and members of the public are protected from occupational health and safety risks during the conduct of, or resulting from, range activities; and
2. that all range activities are planned, conducted, implemented and managed within a range safety framework that is consistent with applicable practices and standards to the extent practicable in a military context.

Requirements

3.3 The DND and the CAF must:

1. develop, implement and manage a National Defence Range Safety Programme (NDRSP);
2. provide orders and directives to prevent or control dangers and hazards associated with weapons, ammunition and explosives during the conduct of range activities;
3. provide orders and directives regarding the requirement for, responsibilities to conduct, method of conduct of, reporting on and review of investigations into hazardous range occurrences;
4. establish a safety management process with systematic and standardized methods for assessing the performance of range safety;
5. identify range safety related trends, risks and vulnerabilities to make risk-based decisions that shape the range safety environment and provide effective and efficient oversight;
6. establish standards, conditions and restrictions on the employment of weapons, ammunition and explosives during the conduct of range activities;
7. establishes safety standards for the employment of weapons, ammunition and explosives;
8. establish conditions and restrictions in respect of access to, and observation of, range activities;
9. establish training standards and qualifications for DND employees and CAF members who supervise, control or otherwise participate in range activities;
10. ensure training standards and qualifications are applied to NPF employees and members of the public who may be granted access to range activities;
11. establish, manage and deliver range safety awareness, training and education in order to foster the range safety culture and awareness of DND employees and CAF members;
12. ensure that range safety requirements and suitability for service of weapons, ammunition and explosives are considered during the materiel acquisition and support process;
13. provide for advice to be given regarding the use of specific weapons, ammunition and explosives prior to their deployment;
14. provide orders and directives regarding the provision of services to support range activities, including competitions and concentrations, conducted by recreational groups, associations, clubs and commercial businesses; and
15. provide orders and directives regarding the participation by DND employees and CAF members in range activities, including competitions and concentrations, conducted by recreational groups, associations, clubs and commercial businesses.

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4. Consequences

General

4.1 Should clarification of the policy statement, requirements or authorities set out in this DAOD be required, DND employees and CAF members may seek direction through their channel of communication or chain of command, as appropriate. The anticipated results set out in the policy statement may not be achieved by the DND and the CAF if the requirements specified in this DAOD are not properly implemented. Not achieving the anticipated results could affect the ability of the DND and the CAF to ensure that the CAF is prepared to undertake missions for the protection of Canada and Canadians and the maintenance of international peace and stability.

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5. Authorities

Authority Table

5.1 The following table identifies the authorities associated with this DAOD:

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6. References

Acts, Regulations, Central Agency Policies and Policy DAOD

• Criminal Code
• Explosives Act
• Canada Labour Code, Part II, Occupational Health and Safety
• Canada Occupational Health and Safety Regulations
• QR&O article 4.20, General Responsibilities of a Commanding Officer
• DAOD 1000-8, Policy Framework for Safety and Security Management

Other References

• DAOD 2007-0, Safety
• A-GG-040-001/AG-001, General Safety Program, Volume 1, Policy and Program
• C-02-040-009/AG-001, General Safety Program, Volume 2, General Safety Standards
• B-GL-381-001/TS-001, Training Safety
• National Defence Range Safety Orders and Directives (in draft)
• LFCO 11-56, General Safety Program