2009 Defence OHS Awards

Winner: HMAS NEWCASTLE FFG Upgrade Oct 07 – Oct 08, NAVY
The FFGUP project was a significant work package and included over 1500 tasks estimated to require in excess of 330,000 contractor man hours. These involved major structural changes; complete strip outs and fitting of new equipment; the cutting of no fewer than 10 major equipment removal portals in the ships hull; removal and replacement of four diesel generators; kilometres of electrical cable removal and replacement and hundreds of tonnes of lead ballast being redistributed. Newcastle developed a comprehensive safety management system included an administrative system supported by additional safety audits and a trained Ship’s Company focused on both uniformed and contractor personnel safety. The system has also assisted in validating and ensuring the Safety Culture Blueprint is being achieved and maintained. The combination of all developed administrative documentation, training and monitoring in an integrated system approach continues to see a well maintained safety culture is present in Newcastle.

Panel Comment: Newcastle has implemented the requirements to manage OHS during a refit with a comprehensive strategy showing evidence to support implementation and success. Newcastle had to design the strategy as there was no dedicated cross class Navy safety management system for ships in refit. This solution can be used as a model for leading practice for future Navy ship refits.

Commendation: No Commendations for this category

Recognition Certificates:

> Development and Implementation of the F–111 Hazardous Substances Management DMO
> Army Recruit Training Centre, Safety Management, ARMY
> Combined Arms Training Centre, Workplace Health and Safety Management System,ARMY

Winner: Confined Space Trainer Fleet Support Unit, NAVY
The Fleet Support Unit (FSU)–Perth Auxiliary Systems Section produced a workable solution that enhances and increases FSU–Perth’s capability to Fleet Units, and an ability to provide a safer training approach and environment to technical trainees. The outcome was for FSU–Perth to provide all stakeholders with a shore–based, quality produced and safe environment training aid to conduct Confined Space competency training. A refurbished large container satisfied the needs as an ideal Confined Spaces Training aid. The refurbishment project, from inception to completion, took approximately twelve months to come to fruition and involved several sections within the FSU–Perth department. During this period, the container was modified to incorporate two tank access points one from above and one from the side (accommodating different class configurations) with appropriate staging to access the top of the container safely. The confined space trainer is an asset that has mitigated risk to as low as reasonably practicable, without having to do entries in an operational environment, at sea or alongside. The aid has been manufactured as a proactive strategy to respond to and resolve OH&S issues in the Fleet receiving competent and well trained sailors. By having trained and competent personnel, we provide a safer working environment for all concerned, with FSU–Perth continuing to promote high standards, consistency in approach and a strong safety culture to enable our personnel to do their job safely at sea.

Panel Comment: An excellent idea – innovative and fulfils the need to train people in a controlled environment with potential to be applied to other high risk environments. A best practice solution which has Defence and industry wide application.

Commendation: No Commendation for this category

Recognition Certificates:
> Mental Health Mentoring Strategy Program for Managing Attempted Suicide, DSG.
> Defence National Storage & Distribution Centre‘Fit for Life’ Program, VCDF
> Defence Radiation Source and Facility Inventory Project, VCDF

Winner: No Winner for this category

Commendation: Mr Russell Power, Occupational Health Safety and Environment Officer,
HMAS CAIRNS
Panel Comment: Russell Power performed above the level normally expected of the base OHS officer. The major redevelopment work conducted at HMAS Cairns presented a vast array of challenges and hazards. New hazards presented themselves almost by the hour and Mr Power was able to keep on top of the situation by utilising effective consultation with the contractors and practical application of risk control measures on multi tenanted site.

Commendation: Petty Officer Scott Norbury, NAVY

Panel Comment: PO Norbury operated well outside his normal area of expertise and duties
in developing a range of OHS initiatives for the Fleet Dental Section. This award recognised your contribution to safe manual handling equipment and procedures and improving hazardous substance management and safety education. The manual handling initiative in particular presents excellent potential to be applied across all Defence and health and dental centres.

Commendation: Warrant Officer Class 2 Bruce Ferguson, ARMY

Panel Comment: WO2 Ferguson identified a high risk associated with the fitted gas welding system in the CER workshop. He took immediate practical measures to mitigate the situation including shutting down the system to remediate the deficiencies while keeping the training system operating. Additionally he identified SIMWELDER as a potential safe tool that reduces the exposure of students to potentially harmful byproducts of welding. The SIMWELDER concept has significant potential for Defence wide application. WO2 Ferguson is commended for has demonstrated initiative and commitment to management of OHS.

Recognition Certificates:
> SQNLDR Jeffrey Stephenson – CRM Training for ADF Aeromedical Personnel, RAAF
> Sergeant Trevor Arthur, ARMY
> LT Katie Chapman – General OH&S of the 1 CER Workshop Facility and Unit, ARMY
> FLTLT Kirstie Winter – OH&S Officer 44 Wing Detachment Oakey (44WGDETOAK), RAAF
> WOFF Gerard Smith – Outstanding OH&S system management and promotion of the
aims of the 92WG Aviation Safety Management System (ASMS), RAAF

Winner: ADF Rehabilitation Program The ADF Rehabilitation Program (ADFRP) is a key element of the Defence OHS Management System and addresses Objective 5 of the Defence OHS Strategy 2007–12 to ‘reduce the impact of occupational injury, illness and disease’. It delivers a holistic assessment and management system combined with the elements of health care, occupational health and safety, and personnel capability management. Health care and rehabilitation are provided regardless of whether the injury or illness is work related and compensable. The Program has also been developed to ensure the ADF meets its duty of care to members and its legislative responsibilities. As an occupational health and safety initiative, it seeks to reduce the impact of occupational injury, illness and disease, and to minimise the members need for compensation or medical discharge. Most importantly, the Program is workplace or occupational–based as this provides the most realistic environment to assess fitness for work. Through rehabilitation more members of the ADF will be employable and deployable, resulting in an increase in military capability. In addition, effective rehabilitation will reduce the number of medical discharges.

Panel Comment: The ADFRP program has clear triggers and policy that builds upon international experience and is a fully integrated system that operates at all levels of Defence. It operates throughout the spectrum of return to work and compensation as a whole of injury management system. There are clearly demonstrated reductions in compensation costs and discharges. It meets/exceeds national benchmarks.

Commendation: Royal Military College of Australia Rehabilitation Program Bridges Company ARMY
Panel Comment: The results of the program to date are encouraging. This is a developing system with potential to be recognised in future Defence and national awards.

Recognition Certificates:
> Outcome Focused Case Management: A More Efficient Path to Case Resolution, DSG
> Australian School of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering, Return to Work System, ARMY