Get RADHAZ off your chest

Safe to talk: Correct mounting of RF equipment limits radiation exposure.

ARMY SAFETY

Growing issue

ARMY is a large user of Radio Frequency (RF) equipment. The energy radiation issue is one that grows as technology advances.

The Directorate OH&S-A has put in place standard safety procedures designed to limit RF exposure. Their first step is to educate personnel with regard to potential RADHAZ.

Equipment such as radios, radar, satellite, x-ray machines and even microwave ovens emit RF radiation. Many vehicles contain radiation producing radio antennas. Portable radios, including Raven and Multi-band Inter Team Radio (MBITR) also produce RF radiation when transmitting.

Recently, some personnel were found to be mounting the MBITR on their chests. With the radio antennae sitting directly in front of the eyes, the damage potential was extreme. A nationwide alert has been issued to cease the practice of mounting the MBITR on the chest.

To protect from radiation hazards, first you must understand some of the physical effects:

Thermal:

• Causes soft body tissue to overheat (you won’t notice this happening).
• Eyes are especially susceptible, may cause corneal burns or cataracts.

Direct contact:

• Electric shock.
• Skin burns.

A-thermal (non-heating):

• Buzzing, clicking, popping noises in ears.
• Muscle and nerve stimulation.
• Muscle spasms.

All RF exposure incidents should be reported on an AC-563 (OH&S Incident Report). To organise a RADHAZ survey of your workplace, ask your USO to contact the local Radio Frequency Radio Safety Officer.

Information on RF radiation can be found in Safetyman, Vol 1, Part 4 (Radio Frequency Radiation Safety Management).

ARMY SECURITY

Keep tight-lipped

COMMUNICATIONS security is the practice of ensuring that information is kept away from anyone who does not need to know about it.

It is equally important in the home, in public, at work or on operations.

Personnel with access to classified information or military equipment and weapons are automatically highlighted to subversives and criminal groups for targeting. These people seek the weakest link in the chain – your goal is to ensure that you are not it. The following checklist can help you maintain COMSEC:

• Practice the “need to know” principle at work, home and at the pub.
• Shred all personal documents instead of throwing them away.
• Never rely on a verbal promise from another person, such as “I have a security clearance”.
• Choose strong “cryptic” passwords rather than weak “word-linked” ones.
• Never speak about classified or inconfidence matters on your mobile or cordless phone.
• Always go secure on speakeasy land line when your conversation is classified.
• Check your fax machine – unless clearly indicated, it is unclassified.
• If you feel uncomfortable with a means of communication, postpone the discussion.
• Be conscious of the environment in which you have any classified conversation. Ask yourself the following:
• Who can overhear you or your background conversations?
• Is there potential for listening devices in the vicinity?
• Is your means of communication secure?

Information leaked from the office or home has the same potential to degrade national security as information leaked on operations.

Safeguarding all information leads to a whole-of-life practice, generating a greater level of both personal and professional protection. Know when to cease a conversation or prevent electronic transmission. Simply, know when to be quiet!

PROVOST MARSHAL

Fraud initiatives

IN ANOTHER step forward in the fight against fraud, the PM-A and CO Army Financial Services Unit (AFSU) have signed an agreement designed to reduce the incidence of fraud.

AFSU has agreed to provide expert assistance to MPs through the reconstruction and analysis of information relevant to alleged instances of fraudulent activity. In turn, this provides MPs with a relevant and current level of expertise in the area of fraud investigations.

To further strengthen the MPs’ skill in fraud investigations, all Service Police are attaining Certificate 4 in Investigations (Fraud), which is the Commonwealth’s minimum standard for fraud investigators. This standard of achievement is in line with Australian National Audit Office recommendations.

Fraud costs the Army valuable resources that are then diverted from other units. Incidents of fraud erode the mutual trust and confidence between personnel that is essential to the effective operation of a disciplined force and the achievement of Army’s mission.

With a heightened awareness of fraud, we assist in reducing its effects. All units have fraud control plans and in many cases it is unit audits that identify fraudulent behaviour.

There is no need though to wait for an audit – if you suspect fraud, notify your local Special Investigations Branch.

The PM-A web page has additional links to the ANAO recommendations: http://intranet.defence.gov.au/ArmyWeb/sites/ProvostCell/ The Army’s web page on fraud provides a number of useful resources: http://intranet.defence.gov.au/armyweb/Sites/DGCMPA

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