New heat policy a must read – CDF

THE start of summer brings with it the risk of heat injuries. Many operational and training exercises are conducted in hot, tropical environments.

ADF commanders and personnel must be aware of the risks associated with working in hot conditions and be equipped to manage them. Heat injuries such as heat exhaustion and heat stroke are preventable and can be minimised through the implementation of adequate control measures.

To assist commanders, planners and participating personnel to identify and manage environmental heat hazards, new Defence policy, procedures and tools have been developed and endorsed. These include information on heat injury risk factors, acclimatisation and military work/rest/recovery tables. To further assist, a Defence Heat Stress

Awareness e-learning package has also been developed.

The policy, procedures and tools can be accessed through the OHSC web site at http://ohsc.defence.gov.au/DSMA/Programs/HeatInjury/default.htm.

The safety of all Defence people is imperative. To ensure your own safety and that of your team mates, I encourage you to access and utilise the newly developed tools on heat injury.

Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston
Chief of the Defence Force

 

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