Tri-Service

"Health And Safety Measures Affecting Operational Readiness"

One of Britain’s top military officers has warned that parts of the Armed Forces are 'less ready than they need to be' for operations, because of increased worries about safety in training.

The Commander of Joint Forces, General Sir Richard Barrons, was appearing before a parliamentary inquiry into the duty of care on exercises.

He told MPs a balance has to be struck to ensure people are fully prepared for operations - and that means exposing them to risk in training. He said:

"In the middle and lower levels of the Armed Forces, we're beginning to see a misinterpretation of what the health and safety legislation actually means.

"People are bearing down on risk in training - in particular in the operation of equipment and live ammunition. It's now necessary to have another go at this culture.

"In some areas we are acquiring a set of restrictions on training which is making people operate their equipment in such a narrow way that they are not ready to go on operations."

It comes as it emerges that the Ministry of Defence is to be censured over the deaths of three soldiers on an SAS training exercise in the Brecon Beacons three years ago.

A coroner at an inquest into the deaths of Lance Corporal Edward Maher, Lance Corporal Craig Roberts and Corporal James Dunsby ruled that they died as a result of neglect on the 16-mile march.

All three suffered the effects of hyperthermia, with the march on the Brecon Beacons held on one of 2013's hottest days. The MoD has escaped facing prosecution because of crown immunity.

In a statement the Ministry of Defence said it has apologised for the failures and has "made several improvements to reduce the risks on such exercises." It added:

"The Defence Safety Authority is conducting a service inquiry to identify any further lessons to prevent a recurrence of this tragedy. Our thoughts remain with the families."

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