ADF Health April 2004 - Volume 5 Number 1EditorialOccupational health and safety challenges for the ADFTHE PROFESSION OF ARMS is inherently dangerous. Despite this fact, and the ADF’s current expeditionary posture and high rate of effort in warlike operations over the past decade or so, at the date of writing Australia has sustained no fatalities due to hostile action in Somalia, Rwanda, Bougainville, East Timor, the Solomons or either Gulf War. Unfortunately, this happy situation of low operational casualty rates is not mirrored in the ADF’s domestic activities. The rates of death and serious personal injury encountered in garrison conditions across all Australian Services remain considerably higher than for matched industry groups. As a result of injuries, significant numbers of personnel are unavailable for deployment and are restricted in performance of their normal duties. Between 1998 and 2002, reported occupational health and safety (OH&S) incidents in the ADF increased, as did reported lost-time incidents. More significantly, the losttime injury frequency rate per million hours worked doubled, as did Defence’s liability for Military Compensation and Rehabilitation Scheme claims. By 2000, Defence’s annual OH&S cost per uniformed member was almost 3 times that for comparable civilian employee groups. Commanders and supervisors at all levels are greatly concerned for the health and safety of their subordinates, but there is an obvious lack of means to give effect to their good intentions. The persisting high injury rate among ADF personnel is both ethically unacceptable and financially unsustainable. The report of the F111 Deseal/Reseal Board of Inquiry, subsequent development of the Air Force Safety Management System, roll-out of the Defence Injury Prevention Program, and similar initiatives constitute an impressive rhetoric foreshadowing organisational reform. Establishment of the Centre for Military and Veterans’ Health (CMVH) will provide unparalleled opportunities for focused research and education on the ADF’s long-standing and emerging OH&S concerns. While the development of Centres of Expertise in Occupational Health within the office of the Director General, Defence Health Service and the Directorate of Air Force Safety is encouraging, these Centres require appropriate and continuing resources to be effective and improve OH&S outcomes for Defence. All levels within the organisation must recognise that effective OH&S measures are integral to the ADF’s business; they are not optional extras. "Cultural change" is essential to achieve the goal of zero avoidable injuries and deaths among ADF members. There are currently many more Reservists with formal qualifications and expertise in occupational medicine and other areas of OH&S practice than there are uniformed specialists with these skills. The ADF has made a commitment to increase its in-house OH&S capabilities, but this will take time. Meanwhile, relevant Reservists may expect to be tasked to provide additional specialised services to Defence - as primary sources of particular advice; as mentors of Permanent Forces’ trainees in their disciplines; and as educators for academic programs and courses provided by CMVH and others. Through these means, Reservists from the health services can once again make invaluable contributions to the long-term health and welfare of all ADF personnel.
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Group Captain Peter S Wilkins, MBE, BA, MB BS, MHP, MLitt, GradDipHum FRACMA, FAFOM, FAFPHM