PREVENTING injuries among ADF personnel will be the focus of a
new $2.5 million study involving Airfield Defence Guards.
The two-year study will be conducted by a consortium led by the
University of Ballarat and will examine the day-to-day tasks,
fitness, strength requirements and hazards for the Air Force’s
ADG and Army’s Rifleman employment categories, Minister Assisting
the Minister for Defence Danna Vale has announced.
“Heavy physical demands are placed on all personnel, but
particularly those employed in the combat arms,” Mrs Vale
said. “By preventing injuries, we not only protect our personnel,
but also maintain combat capability and reduce the ongoing costs
of separation due to injury, retraining personnel, health care
and compensation.”
The research team will use that data to develop Physical Employment
Standards which will inform decisions on employment category selection,
training and injury prevention.
Mrs Vale said the study would not consider whether or not direct
combat roles should be open to women.
