File:Oberon report.pdf: Difference between revisions

Description

This is the Final Report of the Oberon Class Submarine Occupational Hygiene Project, sponsored by the Department of Defence and conducted by the Centre for Military and Veterans' Health (CMVH). The project aimed to conduct a retrospective occupational hygiene survey to identify known hazards and estimate exposures and risk of harm for Australian Oberon class submariners who served during 1967 – 2000. The report notes that systematic occupational hygiene and health studies of Oberon class or even diesel electric submarines are rare, and the quality of exposure information is often poor. The methodology included a review of available scientific and technical literature (including US Naval Submarine Medical Research Laboratory and DSTO reports), visiting the decommissioned HMAS ONSLOW, and conducting focus groups with experienced ex-Oberon submariners. The report details a wide range of hazards identified, including chemical hazards such as diesel vapour and emissions, other particles, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, oxygen deficiency, benzene, hydrogen sulphide, chlorine, oxides of nitrogen (NOx), hydrogen, acetaldehyde, hydrogen chloride, hydrogen fluoride, ozone, Freon 12 and Freon 114, 2190 oil mist, toluene, xylene, asbestos (from gaskets and fire fighting equipment), Otto Fuel (used as torpedo propellant, containing PGDN, DBC, 2-nitrodiphenylamine, and combustion products like CO, HCN, NOx), PCBs (from capacitors), mercury (from batteries), and biological contamination. The report also identified physical hazards such as noise, heat, atmospheric pressure variations, and ergonomic (musculoskeletal) and psychological hazards. It acknowledges that many current and former submariners had difficulty in having Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA) claims accepted due to the lack of recognition of the hazards experienced during their submarine service and expresses hope that better authoritative documentation will assist the decision-making process for compensation claims, particularly at the primary level. The report discusses limitations in available data, including the lack of systematic monitoring, reliance on environmental rather than personal monitoring, lack of data related to shore duties, dermal exposure information, and biological monitoring data. It notes that anecdotal evidence suggests exposures were often tolerated or volunteered rather than regulated, and that peak exposures at the limit of tolerability were common. The impact of intermittent peak exposures on chronic disease risk is uncertain but may sensitise the body or result in subclinical health decrements. Recommendations include the Department of Veterans' Affairs noting the exposure profile for consideration in the compensation process, Defence making identified relevant documents available, and conducting further biomechanical hazard assessments and studies of skin absorption and permeation of diesel.

Abstract

This report summarizes the Oberon Class Submarine Occupational Hygiene Project, which aimed to create a hazard exposure profile for Australian Oberon submariners (1967-2000). It identified numerous hazards, including chemical exposures (diesel vapour, particles, CO, CO2, oxygen deficiency, benzene, H2S, etc.), noise, heat, musculoskeletal, and psychological factors. The project sought to provide authoritative documentation to assist with Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA) compensation claims, as veterans previously faced difficulties due to the lack of recognized hazards. The report highlights limitations in existing data and recommends further studies.