F-111 deseal/reseal and fuel tank maintenance workers

Transcription

1 Australian Government Department of Veterans'Affairs DVA Factsheet F F-111 deseal/reseal and fuel tank maintenance workers Overview of benefits and schemes for F-111 workers Overview This Factsheet provides an overview of the benefits and services available to F-111 fuel tank maintenance workers. It provides information about the health care and compensation you can access if you are recognised as an F-111 deseal/reseal or fuel tank maintenance worker. It also provides information about the ex-gratia scheme for certain F-111 workers. Who is an F-111 deseal/reseal or fuel tank maintenance worker? An F-111 deseal/reseal or fuel tank maintenance worker is someone who is classified as being a Tier 1, 2 or 3 participant, or a Group 1 participant (see definition table below). What is an F-111 deseal/reseal or fuel tank maintenance worker entitled to? Tier 1, 2 and 3 participants are entitled to compensation, health care and counselling. Tier 1 and 2 participants are entitled to a lump sum payment under the ex-gratia scheme. Certain personnel who do not meet a Tier definition are entitled to health care and counselling for certain conditions if they meet the definition of a Group 1 participant. (Factsheets outlining the health care benefits are available via the F-111 website at: http//: f111.dva.gov.au). How do I have my Tier classification or Group 1 status determined? You can apply to have your Tier classification or Group 1 status determined by completing the D9021 Application for Tier Classification form. See Factsheet F Tier definitions for more information. A Table of definitions, outlining which category of work/worker fits into which of the three Tiers, is attached. F Last updated: 19 May 10 Page 1 of 12

2 What can I claim compensation for? You can claim compensation for any illness or disease you believe is related to your service. Depending on the type of service you have, you may claim under the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988 SRCA or Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986 (VEA). If you are a Tier 1, 2 or 3 participant, you are not required to prove causation (ie, no need to prove a link between your service and the illness) to claim compensation under subsection 7(2) of the SRCA if you are suffering from anv of 31 specified conditions. These conditions were identified by the Doctor's Advisory Committee, based on consideration of the results from the Study of Health Outcomes of Aircraft Maintenance Personnel (SHOAMP). For conditions not on the list of 31 you need to prove a causal link to your service. Evidence and Statutory Declarations In gathering evidence to support an application for Tier classification, or to support any subsequent claims for health care, compensation, or ex gratia payments, you will be asked for documentary evidence regarding your F-111 employment. When considering your Tier application and claims, DVA will take into account official Australian Defence Force records including your service records and PMKeyS data. Where the usual documentary evidence is not available, and in the absence of evidence to the contrary, a statutory declaration confirming your involvement in eligible F-111 work, accompanied by a second corroborating statutory declaration by an authorised person will be accepted as evidence in considering your claim. More information about what to provide in a statutory declaration, and who can provide them, is available in Factsheet F Statutory Declarations. There are also Statutory Declaration Guidelines on the F-111 website. What can I receive health care for? If you are a Tier 1, Tier 2, Tier 3 or Group 1 participant, you can receive health care under the SHOAMP Health Care Scheme for a number of specified conditions(see F111-07), if you have lodged a claim for compensation for these conditions. Health care is provided under the SHOAMP Health Care Scheme until your claim is approved. Thereafter health care is provided under the SRCA or Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986 (VEA) (whichever Act your claim is accepted under). What counselling am I entitled to? F Last updated: 19 May 10 Page 2 of 12

3 If you are a Tier 1, 2 or 3 or Group 1 or 2 participant, you can receive counselling under the SHOAMP Health Care Scheme. What is the ex-gratia lump sum payment scheme? The ex-gratia scheme recognises the unique working environment that formal participants of the deseal/reseal program experienced. You will receive a lump sum payment of $40,000 if you are classified as Tier 1 and $10,000 if you are classified as Tier 2. You should submit the D9021 Application for Tier Classification form if you believe you meet the definition. What is the definition of a Tier 1, 2 or 3 participant? The following table provides the definitions for Tier 1, 2 and 3 participant. Category 1. Fuselage deseal/reseal or respray programs and `pick and patch' maintenance Tier 1 definition A person who spent at least 30 on the fuselage deseal/reseal or respray programs during the period , and , whose duties involved working inside F-111 fuel tanks. Personnel who worked inside body fuel tanks of the F-111 aircraft for extended periods of time for a cumulative period of not less than 30 working days, removing sealant and /or resealing the tanks. This category is exclusive to personnel employed in the F-111 deseal/reseal and respray programs over the period 1977 to 1982, 1991 to 1993 and 1996 to The personnel involved include those involved in aircraft preparation, chemical deseal/water-pick, hand cleaning, barrier application, sealant application, plumbing in, air (dry) checks and fuel (wet) checks. This does not include motor transport Tier 2 definition A person who spent between 10 and 29 on the fuselage deseal/reseal or respray programs during the period , and , whose duties involved working inside F-111 fuel tanks. Personnel who worked inside body fuel tanks of the F-111 aircraft for extended periods of time for a cumulative period of between 10 and 29, removing sealant and / or resealing the tanks. This category is exclusive to personnel employed in the F-111 desea//reseal and respray programs over the period 1977 to 1982, 1991 to 1993 and 1996 to The personnel involved include those involved in aircraft preparation, chemical deseal/waterpick, hand cleaning, barrier application, sealant application, plumbing in, air (dry) checks and fuel (wet) Tier 3 definition Personnel who were employed in F-111 fuel tank maintenance or other maintenance or directly related tasks prior to January 2000 where their work included physical entry to the fuel tank to conduct that maintenance or task. Additional information Personnel described in category 1 include those who worked as direct participants in the formal F-111 Deseal/Reseal programs carrying out deseal and reseal tasks, including training, inside fuel tanks. It also includes personnel who worked inside fuel tanks carrying out ad hoc `pick and patch' fuel tank maintenance outside those formal programs. This category applies regardless of what location the work occurred (e.g. RAAF Base Amberley, RAAF Base Edinburgh, in the F Last updated: 19 May 10 Page 3 of 12

4 drivers who employed as fuel tank drivers who may have been responsible for de-fueling F-111 aircraft prior to deseal/reseal activities being undertaken. checks. This does not include motor transport drivers employed as fuel tank drivers who may have been responsible for defuelling F-111 aircraft prior to deseal/reseal activities being undertaken. United States or at other locations). Category one is phrased broadly. The principal trade groups in this category carrying out maintenance work on the fuel tank itself was the Airframe Fitter trade (later renamed Aircraft Technician). Other maintenance tasks were regularly carried out inside F-111 fuel tanks by: Aircraft Metal Worker trade Surface Finisher trade Electrical Fitter trade. A number of other trade groups may also have carried out maintenance and other directly related tasks inside F-111 fuel tanks including Non- Destructive Inspection Technicians, Instrument Fitters and Photographers. The trade groups listed here are not exhaustive and it is possible that personnel from other trade groups carried out work inside F-111 fuel tanks and may be eligible under this definition: The most important factor is the nature of the work performed. This category is not intended to cover personnel who may have entered F-111 fuel tanks to perform work F Last updated: 19 May 10 Page 4 of 12

5 2. Wing tank program 3. Sealant rework (pick and patch) 4. Boiler and plant attendants A person who spent at least 30 on the Wing tank program during the period Personnel employed full time on the wing tank program actively removing and replacing sealant for a period of not less than 30 between 1985 and A person who spent at least 60 carrying out sealant rework ( pick and patch) during the period while attached to an F-111 deseal/reseal section. Personnel working on sealant rework (pick and patch) inside fuselage fuel tanks of the F- 111 aircraft for a cumulative period of not less than 60 working days while attached to a Deseal/Reseal section of 3AD/501 WG, over the period 1973 to 2000, plus those six personnel posted to Sacramento who completed training in deseal/reseal procedures. Boiler and Plant Attendants whose usual place of duty was the BaseIncineratoras A person who spent between 10 and 29 on the Wing tank program during the period Personnel employed full time on the wing tank program actively removing and replacing sealant for a cumulative period of between 10 and 29 between 1985 and A person who spent between 20 and 59 carrying out sealant rework (pick and patch) during the period while attached to an F-111 deseal/reseal section. Personnel working on sealant rework (pick and patch) inside fuselage fuel tanks of the F aircraft for a cumulative period of between 10 and 59 while attached to a Deseal Reseal section of 3AD/501 WG, over the period 1973 to Boiler and Plant Attendants whose usual place of duty was the Base Incinerator other than maintenance or other directly related tasks. Personnel who were employed on the Wing tank program during the period Personnel described in category 2 include those who worked as direct participants in the F-111 wing tank deseal/reseal program, known as the Second deseal/reseal program. It has been retained as a separate category because in the strictest sense it did not necessarily involve fuel tank `entry'. It did however involve exposure to deseal/reseal processes. See category 1 Boiler and plant attendants whose usual place of duty was the F Last updated: 19 May 10 Page 5 of 12

6 5. Unable to continue in F- 111 working environment 6. Fire fighters an Incinerator operator and who spent at least 30 undertaking these duties during the period Personnel regularly disposing of deseal/reseal products by burning, in particular the sealant remover SR51 and SR51A, at the RAAF Base Amberley incinerator for a cumulative period of not less than 30 working days between 1976 and A person who can demonstrate that they would have met one of the above criteria except for the fact that they: had an immediate physical reaction; and required medical treatment or intervention; and were given a work restriction or medical fitness advice (PM 101) stating that they should not return to that working environment. as an Incinerator operator and who spent between 10 and 29 cumulative working days undertaking these duties during the period Personnel regularly disposing of deseal/reseal products by burning, in particular the sealant remover SR51 and SR51A, at the RAAF Base Amberley incinerator for a cumulative period of between 10 and 29 between 1976 and A person who can demonstrate that they would have met one of the above criteria except for the fact that they: had an immediate physical reaction; and required medical treatment or intervention; and were given a work restriction or medical fitness advice (PM 101) stating that they should not i return to that working environment: Fire fighters employed as instructors whose usual place of duty was the Fire Training School fire pits and who spent at least 60 actively involved in the burning of by-products from the F-111 DSRS process during the period Fire fighters permanently Base incinerator as an incinerator operator during the period Boiler and plant attendants who were regularly engaged in disposing of deseal/reseal products by burning, in particular the sealant remover SR51 and SR5IA, at the RAAF Base Amberley incinerator between 1976 and This category also includes any Department of Construction workers who undertook these duties during the period. Fire fighters whose usual place of duty was a Unit at RAAF Base Amberley and who were actively involved in the burning of by-products from the F-111 deseal/reseal process during the period Fire fighters who were actively involved in F Last updated: 19 May 10 Page 6 of 12

7 7. Rag Hangar personnel posted to a Unit at RAAF I Base Amber ley and who were actively involved in burning bi-products from the F-111 DS/RS process (including the sealant remover SR51 and SR51A) at the fire pits for training and/or disposal purposes, for a cumulative period of not less than 60 working days during the period 1976 to I Personnel who were not involved in tank entry and, whose usual place of duty was the Rag Hangar for 60 during the period Dec Nov burning by-products from the F-111 deseal/reseal process (including the Sealant remover SR51 and SR51A) at the fire pits for training and/or disposal purposes between 1976 and Personnel who were not involved in tank entry and whose usual place of duty was the RAAF Base Amberley Rag Hangar during the period Dec 1977 Nov Personnel are those for whom their normal place of work was the deseal/reseal air transportable (`rag hangar') hangar and who provided direct support to those staff entering F-111 fuel tanks. This does not include those personnel who may have regularly visited these hangars in the course of their duty. 8. Hangar 255, Personnel who were not 260, 277 or 278 involved in tank entry and personnel whose usual place of duty was Hangar 255, 260, 277 or 278 for a continuous period of 60 cumulative working days during the period , and Personnel indirectly involved in DS/RS, for whom their normal place of work was the DS/RS air Personnel who were not involved in tank entry and whose usual place of duty was Hangar 255, 260, 277 or 278 during the period , and Personnel are those for whom their normal place of work was Hangars 255, 260, 277 and 278 and who F Last updated: 19 May 10 Page 7 of 12

8 9. Other transportable (`rag hangar') Hangar or Hangars 255, 260, 277 and 278 and who provided direct support to those staff entering F-111 fuel tanks for a period of 60. This does not include those personnel who may have regularly visited these hangars in the course of their duty. provided direct support to those staff entering F-111 fuel tanks. This does not include those personnel who may have regularly visited these hangars in the course of their duty. Motor transport drivers involved in the first deseallreseal program who came into contact with aviation fuel contaminated with deseal/reseal byproducts during the period Motor transport drivers employed as fuel tank drivers who may have been responsible for defuelling F-111 aircraft prior to deseal/reseal activities being undertaken are not included. Maintenance personnel on the RAAF Base Amberley air transportable (`Rag') hangar who were involved in removing/ replacing canvas or dismantling the Hangar during relevant periods in 1978, 1980 and Personnel employed in RAAF Base Amberley Engine Test Cell No 1 during the period Personnel who entered the Warrill Creek settling pond for the purpose of maintaining the physical barrier during the period 1977 F Last updated: 19 May 10 Page 8 of 12

9 2000. These personnel include any Department of Construction workers who undertook these duties during the period. However, this category does not include Airfield Defence Guards, Ground Defence Officers or other personnel who may have entered Warrill Creek for any other purpose or reason. EXCLUSIONS This definition does not include others indirectly involved in the DS/RS procedures such as: 1. K Group and 7SD personnel; and 2. ADG (or other personnel) who entered Warrill Creek for any other reason; and 3. Security personnel; and 4. Work experience students (other than de Havilland students who are included in Group 1). What is the definition of a Group 1 participant? A person meets the Group 1 definition for the purposes of accessing health care and counselling under the SHOAMP Health Care Scheme if they meet any of the following criteria: Personnel involved in the F-111 deseal/reseal training conducted in Sacramento USA. Personnel, including supervisors, involved in the formal F-111 deseal/reseal programs. Personnel involved in the regular burning or disposal of F-111 deseal/reseal products. Personnel involved in ad hoc `pick and patch' fuel tank maintenance on F-111 aircraft prior to January Personnel involved in other maintenance or directly related tasks prior to January 2000 where their work required physical entry to an F-111 fuel tank to conduct that maintenance or task. Personnel who dismantled and/or disposed of the canvas from the RAAF Base Amberley Air Transportable Deseal/Reseal Hangar (the 'Rag Hangar'). Personnel whose primary place of duty was within the deseal/reseal hangars or the Air Transportable Deseal/Reseal Hangar (the `Rag Hangar) at Amberley during one or more of the formal deseal/reseal Programs. Personnel employed in Engine Test Cell No 1 during the period Fuel farm workers and personnel involved in the transport, delivery and handling of F- 111 deseal/reseal products including SR51/51A. These workers and personnel must F Last updated: 19 May 10 Page 9 of 12

10 have regularly performed duties of supply and disposal of F-111 deseal/reseal products. Personnel immersed in the Warrill Creek Settling Pond at RAAF Base Amberley. Work Experience students at Hawker de Havilland who worked inside the tanks. What conditions are included in subsection 7(2) of the SRCA and the SHOAMP Health Care Scheme? The following is a list of the conditions identified by the Study of Health Outcomes in Aircraft Maintenance Personnel as related to F-111 deseal/reseal service, for which compensation is payable under subsection 7(2) of the SRCA and health treatment is provided under the SHOAMP Health Care Scheme. Dysplastic naevus Eczema/dermatitis Multiple sclerosis Parkinson's disease Peripheral neuropathy Spinal muscular atrophy Erectile dysfunction Cauda equina syndrome Neurogenic bladder Non-alcoholic toxic encephalopathy Acquired colour vision deficiency Depression Sleep disorders with neurological basis Bi-polar affective disorder Vertigo Memory loss Anxiety Panic disorders Impaired cognition Malignant neoplasms Myeloproliferative disorders Liver disease Pancreatic disease Irritable bowel disorder Ulcerative colitis/crohh's disease Diverticulitis Bowel polyps Mixed connective tissue disease Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) Sarcoidosis Agoraphobia with panic disorder F Last updated: 19 May 10 Page 10 of 12

11 Contacts DVA F-111 Tier classification team Phone: DVA F-111 compensation processing team Phone: SHOAMP Health Care Scheme Phone: Better Health Program Phone: WorkCover Queensland Phone: Comcare Phone: Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling Service (VVCS) Phone: Military Compensation Liaison Officer Phone: Commonwealth Ombudsman Phone: Oral advice While we make every effort to ensure that you are given accurate information, it is important that you seek written confirmation of oral advice/information before making any major decisions based on that information. We continually strive to improve the level of service you receive and make this request as an added safeguard for you. Other Factsheets Other Factsheets related to this topic include: Factsheet F : Tier definitions Factsheet F : Compensation and SRCA ss7(2) Factsheet F : Statutory declarations Factsheet F : Ex gratia payments Factsheet F : SHOAMP Health Care Scheme services Factsheet F : SHOAMP Health Care Scheme eligibility F Last updated: 19 May 10 Page 11 of 12

12 Factsheet F : Better Health Program More information All DVA Factsheets are available from DVA offices, and on the DVA website at You can phone DVA for the cost* of a local call on or free call if you are outside a major city. Note:* Use a normal landline phone if you can. Mobile phone calls may cost you more. Local call rates vary depending on your phone service provider You can send an to DVA at: GeneralEnquiries@dva.gov.au. You can get more help from any DVA office. F Last updated: 19 May 10 Page 12 of 12