Occupational Health Overview

Occupational Health (OH) is the term used for the protection and promotion of the health and wellbeing of all Defence people (ADF members, APS employees and contracted staff). OH covers:

• preventing and controlling occupational diseases and accidents
• eliminating occupational factors and conditions hazardous to health and safety at work
• development and promotion of healthy and safe work, work environments and work organisations
• enhancement of physical, mental and social well-being of all Defence people.

Defence Centre for Occupational Health and Safety

The role of the DCOHS is to promote work health and improve the prevention of occupational illness and disease through the identification and effective control of hazards in line with Objective 4 Preventative Measures of the Defence Work Health & Safety Strategy 2012 - 2017.  The DCOHS comprises the Directorate of Work Health & Safety Advisory Services (WHSAS) and the Directorate of Work Health & Safety Capability Development (WHSCD).
The DCOHS provides advice to Services and Groups to assist them in undertaking their responsibilities in managing high risk occupational work health and safety issues. The DCOHS also has a specialist role in anticipating and responding to emerging and future work health & safety threats to the Defence workforce.

DCOHS Contact Details

In line with the COH enquiry handling process, occupational health queries should initially be addressed to your Group/Service OHS contact officer/adviser(s). If they are unable to assist, the COH can be contacted via email WHS.COH@defence.gov.au

Occupational Health Issues

Under direction from the Defence WHS Committee, the Centre of Occupational Health and Safety is addressing a range of high priority Work Health & Safety Programs

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