Defence Physical Employment Standards Report: No. 1

The aim of this work package was to identify a set of key job performance tasks, which were considered to represent the critical physical performance requirements and risks relevant to Infantry and Airfield Defence Guards, for more intensive examination. A total of 34 tasks were identified for further detailed observation and analysis in the next work package (WBS: 1.1.2.2). These tasks were selected using a process of analysis which was consistent with processes used in previously reported studies, such as Rayson (1998). The objectives of this analysis process were to identify those tasks that are: 1. Most physically demanding and/or impacting on cognitive function; 2. Common to all the combat arms; 3. Specific to a particular combat arm, trade or sub-trades; and 4. Considered to involve higher levels of risk of injury. The method followed a three-step process, including: 1. A preliminary review of existing ADF task analysis survey data, competency statements and sub-trade manuals; 2. A questionnaire to subject matter experts; and 3. A series of one-day workshops at Puckapunyal. The outcome of this analysis process was a list of 34 tasks that represented a combination of physically demanding tasks, common tasks and high-risk tasks. For the purposes of detailed task observation, the tasks were provisionally allocated, 20 to Infantry and 15 to Airfield Defence Guards. One duplicate task appears in both lists