By
Louise Butcher
Defence
will begin new research on Occupational Health and Safety (OHS)
practices across the organisation in March.
The study, entitled Behavioural Baseline Research (BBR), began
after the F111 Deseal/Reseal inquiry uncovered flaws in safety
management across Defence.
The OHS Project, which will run the BBR, aims to establish a baseline
of OHS practices throughout Defence based on the results. The
BBR will enable Defence to take a snapshot of attitudes and practices
on OHS and analyse and track changes.
The Navy is now also conducting an examination of its safety culture
with the first completed in September 2003. The second phase,
now under way, will look at the overall safety systems across
Navy.
Although at first glance the two research projects appear similar,
the BBR aims to look at more than just safety culture within one
group.
Project director GPCAPT David Richardson said the BBR would look
at the organisational pressures on personnel that compromised
safety, high-risk areas, good practice and the drivers of behaviour
related to OHS.
“Information obtained from this research will help determine
areas that need work and identify areas where changes will achieve
the greatest effect,” GPCAPT Richardson said.
“A random sample of full-time ADF members, reserves and cadets,
public servants and contractors will be targeted.
“We estimate that around 27,000 people will eventually be
surveyed as part of this research.”
The research will be done in two parts, collecting data from personnel
across Defence.
Between March 9 and April 8 personnel will be asked to take part
in a hard copy or intranet survey that focuses not only on OHS
issues but also leadership and management issues, operational
tempo and adequacy of resources and training.
Results from the survey will help define what information is sought
during the second part of the research, scheduled for May and
June.
Targeted focus groups from different levels, ranks and work types
will aim to delve into the reasons behind some of the survey responses.
On completion the results will be analysed and a report detailing
the findings and recommendations will be produced and distributed
to Service chiefs and group heads. Generalised feedback on the
results will be provided to all participating personnel in October.
For further information, phone (02) 6266
8496
or visit http://defcare.dcb.defence.gov.au/Main/dOHSp/dOHSpdefault.htm
