Safety first is message to personnel

THE Air Force Safety Policy statement – approved by Chief of Air Force Air Marshal Angus Houston on December 20 – demonstrates CAF’s commitment to safety and his belief that safety is the responsibility of all Air Force personnel and that proactive risk management is intrinsic to the development of a “can do safely” attitude as normal work practice.

The RAAFSAFE Board, chaired by Deputy Chief of Air Force Air Vice-Marshal Chris Spence, has been formed to ensure Air Force compliance with safety legislation and Air Force policy.

The primary role of the Director of Air Force Safety (DAFS) and the Air Force Ground Safety Agency (AFGSA) is the delivery of an Air Force Safety Management System (RAAFSAFE). RAAFSAFE develops and enhances the promotion of a strong aviation safety culture in Air Force not only in the flying area but also in the ground environment.

DAFS and AFGSA have identified three areas for primary focus in 2003.

They are:

• safety policy development,
  
• Safety Risk Management (SRM) and alignment with Aviation Risk Management (AvRM), and
  
• safety education and training.
  

The Directorate of Flying Safety-ADF (DFS-ADF) aviation safety initiatives include publishing the Defence Safety Manual Volume 3, the Defence Aviation Safety Manual, rewriting DI (AF) OPS into DI (G)s, the introduction of the Defence Aviation Hazard Reporting and Tracking System, and revised Aviation Safety Occurrence Report Review.

The further development of RAAFSAFE, together these initiatives, are the cornerstone of an effective safety management system within Air Force which will provide accurate and timely information to all levels of the organisation through the command chain. Commanders will be expected to apply the principles contained within the safety policy statement to their workplaces as part of their normal management functions.

 

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