Armed Forces Training Accidents

Armed Forces Training Accidents

In order to take part in military activity it is inevitable that some strenuous training must be put in place to ensure that soldiers are capable of the job at hand, that they are adequately provided for in terms of weaponry, and are able to use the equipment they’re provided with.

Invariably being part of the armed forces involves the use of dangerous and highly technical equipment. In order to use this equipment effectively a huge amount of training is required – in some cases this can prove as dangerous as active combat.

Weapons training

Guns, knives, missiles, bombs and hand-grenades are just some of the weapons our military are trained to use during times of war, and that involves learning how to use them in the first place. These implements are designed to hurt, kill or maim enemy personnel, yet they can be just as dangerous for the people operating them. When being taught to use these devices safely it is imperative that the personnel responsible for the training are suitably qualified and that the equipment itself is properly maintained. In addition to this it is crucial that appropriate personal protective equipment is provided during the training regime. As with all such situations, a proper and thorough risk assessment should be carried out to identify risks during training.

Adventurous training

As well as the safe and correct use of equipment, military personnel undergo a range of adventurous pursuits as an ‘essential part of the tri-service training’. This type of training can contribute to the leadership skills, self-discipline, courage and endurance of our troops, but can also come with a range of potential risks that come hand-in-hand with activities such as parachuting, climbing, skiing, even white-water rafting. When taking part in this kind of activity it is imperative that supervisors and trainers are properly qualified, that equipment is used appropriately and is properly maintained and that all participants have access to proper personal protective equipment.

 Musculoskeletal disorders

The potential dangers of military service come not only from weapons and jumping out of aeroplanes, a lot of the injuries sustained during MOD training are injuries that are found in workplaces throughout the world. Repetitive strain injuries (also referred to as musculoskeletal disorders) can arise from the physical activities carried out by soldiers, sailors and the Air Force. These injuries form the primary medical reason for a huge number of troops who are unable to be deployed in active service. In the USA an estimated 68,000 soldiers are unable to be deployed due to sustaining this type of injury each year, often as a result of training exercises and repetitive movements performed during their employment – outside of combat situations.

Contact us today for free, no obligation advice regarding your Armed Forces claim – either by calling us free on 0800 999 1875, or by requesting a free call back, whereby one of our team will contact you at a time of your choosing to discuss your situation. When you contact us you are under no obligation to continue with the case unless you wish to do so.

We’re here to help – contact us today.