Sandstorms Incident Management

Incident Management Guidelines

Sandstorms are recognizable as large clouds traveling over the ground, occurring frequently in most deserts. Some sandstorms occur for only a matter of hours, whereas some, like the Seistan desert wind in Iran and Afghanistan, blow constantly for up to four months. The IMP provides guidelines for project staff operating in such regions in order to allow them to protect themselves during a sandstorm, as well as protect their facilities and valuable or vulnerable resources.

In the event of a sandstorm incident occurring, the following points should be addressed:

✓ Action Points

1. Stand up the Incident Management Team using the SAD CHALETS system. The Crisis Response Team should be alerted only if the event is likely to result in threats to personnel or significant disruptions to operations.
2. The location, direction, and speed of traveling sandstorms should be determined in order to evaluate which areas will most likely be affected.
3. Prior to a sandstorm occurring, windows, vents, and skylights should be closed to prevent dust from entering facilities.
4. Vehicles should be turned off (unless especially prepared) to avoid damaging their engines.
5. If personnel are required to operate outside, they should be advised to lubricate their nostrils with petroleum jelly (if available) to prevent the mucus membranes from drying out.
6. Personnel should be instructed to tie cloths over their noses and mouths and to wear goggles to protect their vision when exposed to the sandstorm.
7. Personnel should also be instructed to remove contact lenses, tuck in clothes (tops into pants, pants into socks) to prevent burns from the sand, and wear long sleeves and trousers.
8. Visibility may become extremely limited, and groups working outdoors should be attached together by ropes to prevent personnel from become disorientated and lost.
9. Personnel should be mustered within a defined space and missing persons accounted for.
10. Other elements of the IMP should be implemented as appropriate.
11. Provide an IMP Risk Assessment Report as soon as possible.

Key People to Call (see the IMP Communications Plan)

Group	Yes/No	Group	Yes/No
• Medical organization		• Organic QRF
• Military interface		• Crisis response team
• Embassy or consulate		• Security provider (vendor)
• Police, fire, or ambulance		• Other groups