Defence Occupational Health and Safety Strategy 2007-1 - Comcare

MESSAGE FROM THE DOHSC CHAIRMANThe Defence OHS Strategy defi nes the strategicobjectives that are required to achieve our desiredOHS culture and deliver a high standard of OHSperformance. It articulates our OHS policy andexpected outcomes.The Defence OHS Strategic Plan 2004-2006 identifi ed three phases to achieve OHSimprovement in Defence: Reposition, Reshapeand Realise. The primary objective of thisDefence OHS Strategy will be to reshape DefenceOHS management and realise performanceimprovements. The foundation of this work isdeveloping and implementing the elements of theDefence OHS Management System (OHSMS), acritical element of which is the OHS ManagementInformation System (OHSMIS).The Defence OHSMS provides a planned,documented and quantifi able approach for thecomprehensive and systematic managementof OHS. Our OHSMS encompasses the areasof leadership, incident prevention, incidentmanagement, and supporting managementarrangements. It provides the architecture toembed a repeatable way of managing OHS thatincludes the integration of deliberate practices,processes and linkages, while remainingsuffi ciently fl exible and responsive to meetchanging demands.We seek to move beyond a simple focus onlegislative compliance and evolve into a valuesbased,learning organisation. Thus, proactivelymanaging all workplace hazards to protect ourpeople across the spectrum of activities we areengaged in including deployments, operationsand working at Defence facilities. Our Defencevalues guide the behaviour of our people, atevery level of the organisation, and will underpinour desired OHS culture. We will have achievedour desired OHS culture when:>>>>>>OHS is recognised as a force multiplier byits inherent link to force preservation andsustainability of operations, and is embeddedin all capability development, acquisition,contracting, design, operational planning,operations and business activities.OHS roles and responsibilities at all levelsare clear and understood, supported bydemonstrated leadership commitment andintegrated into people management systems.Accurate OHS information is captured anddisseminated in an effective and timely mannerthrough integrated systems and is used indecision making.All personnel accept responsibility for theiroccupational health and safety, and that ofothers in the workplace, and regard it as anintegral part of the daily working routine.Innovative, healthy and safe work practicesare supported through appropriate rewardand recognition.Emphasis is given to identifying root causesof incidents, taking preventive action, andensuring lessons are learned.>All Defence personnel, Australian DefenceForce Cadets and Contractors apply valuebased decisions that contribute to a Defencewide safe and healthy work environment.Implementation of the Defence OHS Strategywill take place at two levels: the corporate leveland the individual Service and Group level. At thecorporate level, the objective will continue to be theachievement of Strategic Objectives that requirea coordinated approach across the Services andGroups. At Service and Group level, the objectivewill be on implementing arrangements to meet theindividual organisations’ needs while supportingcorporate OHS improvement initiatives.As Chair of the DOHSC, I will supportimplementation of this Strategy by:>>>>coordinating the development and maintenanceof the Defence OHSMS to achieve effectiveimplementation within individual Services andGroups;ensuring the OHSMS supports joint andinteragency operations;aiding the Services and Groups to translatecorporate improvement initiatives into actionsthat effectively meet their individual OHSmanagement requirements;assisting the Services to develop approachesfor managing OHS in joint operationalenvironments;>>>>working collaboratively with the Servicesand Groups to identify and address commonOHS management issues;guiding development of policy and practicesfor OHS hazard and risk management that areunderstandable and effective;ensuring, as chair of the DOHSC, thatproposals for improved OHS managementare appropriately considered and funded; andcoordinating corporate level OHS initiatives,concentrating on the highest priorityimprovements that can be achievedwithin available resources.Allocation of resources to meet the priorities of thisStrategy will be addressed through Service andGroup budget estimates processes, the DefenceManagement and Finance Plan, the DefenceWorkforce Plan and, in respect of corporateinitiatives, funding from DOHSC. In developing ourOHS capability we also need to recruit and developOHS professionals, specialists and representativesto play key roles in OHS management.Major General Mick Slater, DSC, AM, CSCChairman,Defence Occupational Healthand Safety Committee4