When the Air Force released the findings of the F-111 Deseal/Reseal Board of Inquiry on Friday, 7 September, it was admitting to a serious failure in Air Force Occupational Health and Safety.

A significant cost of this failing has been the effect on the health of the workers who worked in appalling and terrible conditions in order to keep the F-111 fleet in the air.

The Board of Inquiry found that the various health conditions suffered by Deseal/Reseal workers were 'reasonably attributable' to exposure to Deseal/Reseal chemicals used in the maintenance processes conducted on F-111 fuel tanks.

Chief of Air Force, Air Marshal Angus Houston has clearly stated his intentions for the wellbeing of the affected personnel, both currently serving and retired.

He said it was his responsibility to ensure the wellbeing of people ahead of aircraft.
'While the Board of Inquiry has clearly pointed the finger at our past Occupational Health and Safety practices, the first and on-going priority is for the health of everyone involved in the F-111 fuel tank maintenance programs,' he said.

'I have announced my commitment to the people who endured the F-111 programs and conditions.

'As a first initiative, we are providing a unique health care service to those personnel who worked on the aircraft. This Health Care Scheme will provide free medical treatment and counselling to those whose health might have been affected during the maintenance programs.

'We are also supporting a scientific study by the Department of Veterans' Affairs to define the link between the workers ill health and the maintenance programs.'

When asked about the way ahead, AIRMSHL Houston replied, 'I have set up a team in Air Force to start the implementation of the Board of Inquiry recommendations. CDF and Secretary have also agreed to establish a tri-Service Defence Workplace Safety Project Office to review OH&S across the ADO, thereby creating a world's best practice OH&S service for us.'

Following the release of the Board's findings, Air Force has released its reply to the 53 recommendations in the Report.

AIRMSHL Houston gave a media conference to release the Report and immediately after addressed current RAAF Base Amberley fuel tank personnel and then a representative group of ex-members.

The Air Marshal assured the two groups that he was giving the entire Deseal/Reseal issue his personal attention and to reinforce this position, the Chief announced the appointment of Warrant Officer Peter 'Blue' Hind as an Advocate for the F-111 Deseal/Reseal serving and ex-members.

AIRMSHL Houston said, 'The Advocate's role is twofold. As I see Blue Hind's role, he is first, a direct link between everyone involved and myself. I have told him he has direct access to me.

'His second, though equally important role, is to provide information on the range of health, compensation and support services that have been provided by Air Force and Veterans' Affairs,' AIRMSHL Houston said.

Also announced at the release were contact numbers and web site details for the services now available. (See end of this article.)

Earlier this year, affected workers were asked to participate in the Veterans' Affairs Health Study.

This study will soon begin the health testing process in an attempt to establish the causal links between health conditions and the chemicals used in the programs.

Workers were asked to register for the Health Study by calling 1800 502 302.

For the Health Study to be as complete as possible, everyone involved in the maintenance programs, should register for the study as soon as possible.

To access the Health Care Scheme that has been provided, affected workers and their families need to contact the Health Care Team on 1800 728 007.

Calling this number will enable people to access the health services and find out more about the various compensation options available for those eligible.

To Contact WOFF Blue Hind, either call him at Amberley on (07) 5461 1254 or by e-mail at F111Advocate@drnex.defence.gov.au.

To further help the affected workers to access the health and welfare services, CAF also offered Air Force assistance in setting up a Deseal/Reseal Association.

While the final shape of the association has yet to be finalised, CAF has pledged financial support and assistance with communication needs.

AIRMSHL Houston said, 'I promised the people who worked on the programs my full support.

'Help with starting an Association is one of the key steps necessary to fix this matter.
I will obviously be speaking with the interim executive of the Association in the near future and I offer them my full support.

'There is a major task ahead of Air Force if we are going to remedy all of the problems that have emerged from this sorry business.

'Number one is the health and welfare of my people.

'Next is addressing OH&S in Air Force, an area that we are lacking in across the board.

'In conjunction with the steps to rectify the Air Force OH&S structure, the wider Australian Defence Organisation will also be reviewed by the Defence Workplace Safety Project Office to provide a Defence-wide framework for workplace safety in the 21st Century.

'For Australia, the Air Force provides a crucial role in the defence equation.

'To maintain this capability requires a force of well trained, well cared for and respected people, who know their personal interests are important to my leadership.

'Air Force puts people first,' he said.

Air Force has set a three-year reporting framework during which time it aims to introduce an OH&S system that will not allow a repeat of the tragic events surrounding the F-111 fuel tank programs of past.

More Information
Information on the F-111 Deseal/Reseal Board of Inquiry can be found at www.defence.gov.au/raaf/f111dsrs or 'hard' copies in printed or CD-ROM format can be obtained by contacting Wing Commander Bill Sanders on (02) 6265 2378 or by e-mail at bill.sanders@cbr.defence.gov.au.

The Department of Veterans' Affairs who are administering the health care scheme on behalf of CAF can be reached at www.dva.gov.au to access information on the services the Department offers.

Health Study: 1800 502 302
Health Care Scheme: 1800 728 007

Other contact information:
Advocate

F111Advocate@drnex.defence.gov.au
(07) 5461 1254
WOFF Peter 'Blue' Hind
F-111 Deseal/Reseal Advocate
RAAF Base Amberley
QLD 4306