10-year experience of injuries sustained during clearance of anti-personnel mines

Clearance of anti-personnel mines and unexploded ordnance in countries recovering from war usually continues long after conflict has ceased. We prospectively recorded 92 traumatic injuries sustained by 73 mineclearers working in seven countries over a period of 10 years. 15% of injuries were fatal, with an incidence of 116 injuries per 100000 workers per year. Limb injury occurred in 59% of cases, with an overall amputation rate of 30%. 44% of injuries were sustained by workers handling a mine, resulting in severe upper limb and facial injuries. The incidence of facial injuries fell after the introduction of visors.