2008 Defence OHS Awards

Winner: HMAS HARMAN Safety Management System, NAVY

About the winner

HMAS HARMAN has developed from its commissioning as a Navy communication station in 1943, to a multi-user Defence establishment under Navy command in 2007. The hundreds of people who live or work in HARMAN today comprise permanent and reserve Navy, Army, Air Force personnel, as well as APS members, Cadets, contractors and civilians.

As a Navy shore establishment, HARMAN has based its OHS system on the provisions of ABR 6303 – Navy Safety Systems Manual, which embodies the key elements of OHS legislation and Defence policy – with a view to achieving compliance with National Standards on OHS management systems (AS/NZS 4801/4804) and risk management (AS/NZS 4360).

The HARMAN OHS Management System now comprises the following components:

1. Commanding Officer HMAS HARMAN Safety Policy Statement;
2. Culture of Safety Presentation Series;
3. Safety and Emergency Management Committee (SEMC);
4. Designated Work Groups (DWG) / Health & Safety Representatives (HSR)
5. Commanding Officer’s OHS Inspections;
6. OHS Reporting and Notification;
7. Standing Risk Assessments; and
8. Education and Training.

Panel Comment: "Demonstrates significant improvement in prevention of incidents and injuries. Further implementation and evaluation will enable the opportunity to realise the value of the OHSMS as a model for other Defence multi tenanted site."

Recognition Certificates:

• The School of Armour (SOA) Safety Management System (SMS), ARMY
• The Army Logistics Training Centre (ALTC) Workplace Health and Safety Management System (SMS), ARMY
• 92 WG LOGOPS SMS, RAAF
• Australian Defence Satellite Communications Station – HSMA, IS&IP
• DS Riverina and Murray Valley Occupational Health and Safety Management System – Setting the Standard for Industry Best Practice, DSG
• DSG OHS Integrated Management System (OHSMIS), DSG

Winner: "Flying the Falcons" an Alternative Approach to Bird Management on a RAAF Base, DSG

About the winner

Bird Management has been identified as a priority at RAAF Edinburgh (RAAF-E). Large flocks of Little Corellas establish their colony on the Base commencing with scout birds arriving around October each year.

These birds “call in” the main flock which steadily increases over the following months with final flock numbering 5,000 to 7,000 during January and early February.

“Flying the Falcons” is a program of sustained flying over a number of weeks by several Peregrine Falcons. These raptors are hand-reared and respond to a lure swung by their handler. They chase, but do not catch, the Little Corellas which are their natural prey, dislodging and dislocating them from the Base and moving them away from the environment, reinforcing to them that the site is not a “safe area” to stay in.

This program was actioned prior to and during the recent 2007 RAAF Base Edinburgh Defence Force Air Show with good results, and with the activity continuing after the Air Show, it was noted that the number of birds decreased.

Panel Comment: "An innovative, well researched, environmentally friendly solution that potentially saves lives and property, and can be applied at many other Defence sites."

Commendation: Medical Emergency Response Team’ (MERT), DSTO

Panel Comment: "The potential of the issue is life threatening and the solution could be regarded as best practice for a civilian base with multiple tenants and a vast array of hazards."

Commendation: RMC-A Duntroon Physical Conditioning Optimisation Review (PCOR), ARMY

Panel Comment: "A thorough investigation into the extent of the issue which debilitates many trainees before their career starts. Has great potential as a model to be applied across Defence."

Commendation: Handheld Environmental Stress Index Monitor (ESIM), DSTO

Panel Comment: "A very good solution to an ADF issue. The heat sensor can be used by troopers in the field and has potential broader community application."

Recognition Certificates:

• Use of Combat Body Armour (CBA) to Reduce Injuries to Trainees and Staff Involved in Armoured Fighting Vehicle (AFV) Accidents During Training, ARMY
• Modification of Outboard Propeller Protection - Mr Len Brown, DMO
• Provide safe access to, egress from and a safe working environment within the roof space of building A9, Anglesea Barracks, DSG

Winner: LTCOL Geoff Newman-Martin – Manual of Envenomation and Poisoning –
Australian Fauna and Flora

About the winner

Defence personnel operating in the field or at sea are potentially exposed as part of their military occupation to a range of environmental hazards. The threat of environmental hazards may range from venomous snakes to dangerous spiders. In the marine environment, hazards include stonefish, stingrays, Box Jellyfish and the Irukandji Jellyfish. Even eating marine food can cause problems, such as toxic crabs, poisonous pufferfish, or ciguatera poisoning. While these hazards are largely unavoidable, correct planning, resulting in accurate identification of the likely hazards, as well as relevant data for use in first aid and clinical treatment, can reduce the severity of injuries if they do occur.

The manual will be an invaluable, comprehensive and up-to-date source of information for doctors, nurses, medics and allied health personnel in clinical treatment of ADF members. It is also a valuable source of planning and technical information for preventive medicine and environmental health. The manual will contribute to the recognition and management of potential environmental hazards, and in the long term reduce the severity of injury, through better pre-hospital and clinical treatment of cases of ADF personnel who are envenomated.

Panel Comment: "Outstanding dedication to developing a resource for preventing injury/illness by fauna for the ADF and the community."

Commendation: LEUT Tracey Elliott - The Development and Implementation of a New Physical Training and Injury Management Program to Midshipmen and Cadets at the Australian Defence Force Academy, NAVY

Panel Comment: " Excellent program that shows results of increasing fitness of cadets while reducing injuries. Well researched and strong business case to get appropriate support and implemented."

Commendation: RADM Davyd Thomas - Exemplary Leadership of the Fleet Command in part Evidenced by the Efforts to Influence and Shape the Safety Culture of the Fleet, NAVY

Panel Comment: " Outstanding leadership linking the Sea King BOI and a focus on culture improvement. Highly commended for building safety capability, integrating safety into everyday business"

Recognition Certificates:

• Captain Leon Helmrich, ARMY
• Warrant Officer Class 2 Kim Nikolai, ARMY
• Mr George Bettiol, Defence Materiel Organisation
• Warrant Officer Terry Yelds, RAAF
• Flight Lieutenant Denis Bergamasco, RAAF
• Miss Vicky Moyle, Intelligence, Security and International Policy
• Corporal Todd Simpson, ARMY

Recognition Certificates:

• DS-SA – Strategic Rehabilitation Response Program
• Rehabilitative Return to Full Time Work for CPL A. Bennett