Volume 49, No. 18 , October 05, 2006
Navy is playing it safe by going the extra distance on improving safety with a re-calibration of the Navy Safety Culture Blueprint.
The Blueprint and Safety Management System – Navy (SMS-N) were inspired following Directorate of Navy Safety Systems’ (NAVSAFE) 2003 survey.
In the Navy Safety Policy, Chief of Navy says the goal is to grow a culture of safety which is relevant, effective and inclusive.
“This culture must encourage and retain learning, promote open and honest reporting, be just and prepared to identify its own shortcomings as easily as it seeks to address any violation of orders or instructions,” the policy states.
“The culture must reward innovation and be able to improve and adapt where necessary.”
Although there has been an increase in safety reporting and a slight decline in injuries since the 2003 survey, NAVSAFE believes more information on what is happening at the coalface is needed to identify specific areas of SMS – N which require additional focus and resources.
The 2006 Navy Safety Culture Re-Calibration, which will involve a survey and a series of focus groups across Australia, has already commenced. The re-calibration is being overseen by COMNAVSYSCOM and coordinated by DNAVSAFE,
A short survey, distributed across Navy via DRN and email, is allowing all Navy personnel to join the debate and to provide anonymous input.
If you don’t know how to, or are having trouble accessing the survey, check with your divisional staff or local IT staff. If necessary, contact navy.safety@defence.gov.au or call 1800 558 555.
This re-calibration will highlight necessary corrections to the Navy Safety Culture Blueprint and, if required, lead to development of further programs to improve and enhance Navy’s safety
culture.
Already in place are improvements to the OHSIR process, OHS Incident Causal Analysis and the Hazard Risk Management process. Recommendations from the 2003 survey have also led to increased publicity of safety via Seaworthy and other safety publications, the launch of the Navy Safety Awards and ABR 6303 (Navy Safety Systems Manual) has been updated.
Your input to the focus groups and responses to the survey will help Keep Navy Safe.
