PSPG | Occupational Health and Safety

The Australian Government Department of Defence

2007 Defence Safety Awards Ceremony

The Defence Safety Awards is a corporate recognition and reward program, supported by Senior Defence Leaders. The awards recognise outstanding performance by areas within Defence in creating safer working environments.

The aim of the Defence Safety Awards is to:

Recognise innovation and excellence in the fields of occupational health, safety and rehabilitation;
Raise the profile and awareness of occupational health, safety and rehabilitation programs in Defence; and
Encourage people at Service and Group workplaces throughout Defence, to develop, implement and evaluate initiatives that help achieve a safer and healthier work environment.

The Defence Safety Awards began in 2004 with only four entrants. Since then there has been a substantial increase in the number of entrants indicating a growing commitment to OHS within Defence as well as the value placed in receiving an award. There were 24 entries received in three out of the five categories for the 2007 Defence Safety Awards.

The Chief of Defence Force and the Minister presented the overall category winners and commendations at the annual Defence Safety Awards at the R1 Theatrette, Russell Offices Canberra on 18 June 2007. The ceremony was attended by the Chief Executive Officer of Comcare, Defence Senior Leaders, Service and Group OHS organisations which made a packed Theatrette.

Defence Safety Award Categories Levels

There are three Award levels of recognition for each category:

Defence Safety Award – recognises and acknowledges exceptional performance by individuals or groups within the Department who meet or exceed the criteria in relation to Occupational, Health and Safety.
Commendation Certificate – recognises and acknowledges performance by individuals or groups within the Department who meet various sections (but not all) of the criteria in relation to Occupational, Health and Safety.
Encouragement Certificate – acknowledges and encourages the initiative of those who entered submissions in the Defence Safety Awards.

2007 Defence Safety Awards Winners and Commendations

Category 1 – Leadership Award for Injury Prevention and Management

There were no submissions for this category

Category 2 – Best Workplace Health and Safety Management System

There were six submissions for this category. A winner was selected and two submissions are to be commended.

Winner: Safety Management System within the SUBSAFE Program

The Royal Australian Navy's SUBSAFE program systematically records, investigates and implements corrections to identified hazards on a risk based priority. It is very strongly based on internet technology rendered via Defence Restricted Network, however, due to the very poor data connectivity of the Submarines the SUBSAFE Intranet Site is issued to submarines on CD every quarter.

Panel Comment: "Very clear management commitment. High degree of integration from inception. Safety inculcated and enduring."

CMDR Greg Chesher Ex-RAN accepted the Award

Commendation: HMAS Mermaid (PALUMA Class Survey Motor Launch) - Safety Culture Improvement Program

Panel Comment: "HMAS MERMAID's safety management system encompasses a "Whole of Ship" approach and has not only been effective in preventing accident occurrences but also provides a great example to the rest of Navy and Defence"

LCDR Michael Pounder accepted the Award

Commendation: Air Force - ALSPO Safety and Environmental System

Panel Comment: "Good example of setting up a safety management system. Applicable to other areas within Defence."

GPCAPT Adam Brown accepted the Award

Encouragement Certificates:

HMAS Parramatta - Exemplarily Application of the Navy's Safety Management System
The Safety Management Advisory Team - HMAS MELBOURNE FFG UPGRADE
Australian Clearance Diving Team Four - Safety Management Database

Category 3 – Best Solution to an Identified Workplace Health and Safety Issue

There were ten nominations for this category. One winner was selected and two submissions were commended.

Winner: Scientific and Engineering Services for DSTO - Sheet Metal Handling Trolley

In the rehabilitation of a staff member who returned from an unrelated back injury, it was highlighted that the manual handling process of lifting timber sheets from a trolley to the table saw was a concern to him and to the case manager. A design concept was realised to eliminate lifting the sheet onto the trolley; then the ability of the trolley to then rotate to the horizontal position and be at the correct height for sliding the sheet onto the machine. After approval from the design engineer and input from operators, DSTO OH&S Unit and the Rehabilitation section the "Sheet Material Handling Trolley" was manufactured by the Mechanical Fabrication section of Scientific & Engineering Services.

Panel Comment: "A great design to not only assist the employee returning to work, but also preventing injuries to all through manual handling. Great potential to be used in other areas."

Michael Bone accepted the Award

Commendation: Air Force -Management of Asbestos Components in Inventory (MACHI)

Panel Comment: "The management of Asbestos is such a large issue and important one. Great to see the Air Force taking the initiative and leading the way in Asbestos Management and training."

Mark Manson accepted the Award

Commenation: RAN Marine Boarding Party Ladder

Panel Comment: "An excellent piece of original design. The ladder has been adopted by Australian Customs Service, NSW Water Police and other Australian State Police Services.

WO Tom Hodges accepted the Award

Encouragement Certificates:

DSTO - Edinburgh Sports Field Establishment Program
DSG Defence Health Services- Aircrew and Crewstation Anthropometry Project
DMO - Management of Test Driver Exposure to Vibration
Navy Cadet Induction Program - 'Work Safe, Play Safe'
HMAS Rankin - Soft Bridle System
HMAS Penguin - Risk Assessment of the hazards and controls at Gateway
Fleet Base East Port Services - Safety Barrier Storage

Category 4 – Best Individual Contribution to Health and Safety

There were eight nominations for this category. One winner was selected and one submission was commended.

Winner: Captain Sharryn Batt - Inorganic Lead Safety Education Package

SOCOMD's Indoor Weapons Ranges are located at Campbell Barracks and Luscombe Field, Holsworthy (NSW). Since both facilities were built, the health risks presented by the inorganic lead dust and fumes generated by the activity of the ranges have been better understood as a result of formal surveys.

CAPT Sharryn Batt has conducted a review of the blood testing program at Campbell Barracks to determine if an effective monitoring, review and counselling process is applied. Her review found significant deficiencies. As a result, she has developed and implemented an education program covering the personal risk management of lead. This training package did not exist prior to her review.

Panel Comment: "Captain Batt's exceptional initiative and motivation have made an outstanding improvement to the management of the health risks presented by inorganic lead at Campbell Barracks.

Captain Sharryn Batt accepted the Award

Commendation: Major Michael Tyquin

Panel Comment: "Major Michael Tyquin has demonstrated an outstanding contribution to OHS through a variety of projects and has succeeded in raising the profile of OHS within Army, Defence and to the wider community.

Major Michael Tyquin accepted the Award

Encouragement Certificates:

Duncan Allan
Petty Officer Christopher Spiro
Lieutenant Commander Ken Ferguson
Lieutenant Kathryn Ford
Dr Naresh Bains

Category 5 – Rehabilitation and Return to Work Award

There were no submissions for this category

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