For the first time, the mandatory course was conducted entirely “in house” by the Air Force, within the framework of the activities of the Institute of Aeronautical Military Sciences.
The 21st of June saw the end of the “1st Training Course for Italian Air Force Employers”, which saw the participation of 33 Officers from the Armed Forces, gathered at the Aeronautica Palace headquarters to delve into obligations and the most recent regulatory innovations regarding Cheers e Security of workers.
The activity, organised and managed by the’Institute of Air Force Military Sciences of the A.M. Schools Command / 3rd Air Region within the scope of “52nd Seminar for Commanders”, was conducted in collaboration with the’General Office for the Coordination of Accident Prevention and Environmental Protection.
The course was organised, for the first time, completely indoors from the Armed Forces, with the aim of integrating and consolidating the skills of Air Force Officers who already hold or are about to take up command positions associated with the functions of Employers.
The lesson content focused not only on the educational and regulatory aspects related to responsibilities foreseen by the regulations, but these were integrated with practical management elements for staff protection, such as the sharing of Lessons learned and best practice. The programme has also been tailored to the realities and peculiarities of the Air Force, with the aim of increasing the awareness of those involved, fostering the constant development of a proactive culture of health and safety protection for workers in blue and thus ensuring higher standards of effectiveness in carrying out institutional tasks.
The event was opened by Colonel Antonio Pellegrino, Head of the General Office of UCOPRATA, who, while conveying the greetings of the Mr. Chief of Staff of the Air Force, Air Force General Luca Goretti and by the Commander of ISMA, Air Brigadier General Urbano Floreani, stimulated those present to consider the duties of Employer as an integral part of the Command Action, evaluating the risks connected to the activities carried out and, consequently, undertaking all necessary measures to safeguard the psycho-physical integrity of the workers.
During the first day, participants had the opportunity to delve into, thanks to contributions from expert professionals from both civilian and military spheres, the main obligations and responsibilities related to the activities generally carried out in the Air Force departments. The work continued, on the second day, managed by AM sector specialists, examining the main operational tools for risk management and the subsequent mitigation measures, even in particular situations such as, for example, deployments and exercises away from the normal place of duty.
During the third day, healthcare surveillance and work-related stress risks were explored with Medical Officers and psychologists from the Air Force Health Service. On the same final day, the debate organised to test the attendees on the conflict management techniques learned during the course was particularly appreciated. Finally, the discussion on various rulings related to discipline, moderated by Barrister Professor Antonio Porpora, an expert in Labour Law and Industrial Relations and a lecturer at the University of Rome La Sapienza, generated considerable interest. During this discussion, emerging aspects of jurisprudential orientation on the most recent cases in the field were examined.
Attendees expressed particular appreciation for how the course integrated the treatment of legal aspects, which are more knowledge-based, with the illustration of practical, technical-operational tools, providing a series of points for reflection that new employers, once they take command, will need to explore further and integrate with their staff.
At the end of the course, Colonel Pellegrino, while thanking the participants, remarked that the protection and health and safety of workers are to be considered an integral part of Command Action in all operational, training and logistical activities of the Air Force and must be carried out effectively by an Employer through the full involvement and accountability of all its managers, supervisors and workers.
This initiative is in addition to further training events that the Air Force, aware of the importance of developing an aeronautical culture of health and safety at work, shared with all personnel in blue, has initiated during 2023, introducing new educational pathways within the Armed Force, which complement the traditional training offer already provided by the’Specialist Training and Teaching Office (DIFEFORM) from the General Secretariat of Defence. In fact, in addition to the Course for Employers in AM, this year ISMA has already run two courses for Safety Trainers at its Florence site, and a course for Health and Safety Representatives is planned before the end of the year.
The Institute of Aeronautical Military Sciences is a higher education institute for training and disseminating aeronautical military doctrines. It is headed by a General Officer and is subordinate to the Commander of the Air Force Schools/Commander of the 3rd Air Region. The ’Giulio Douhet“ Aeronautical Military School, established in 2006, is in turn subordinate to the ISMA. The Institute's mission is therefore broad and varied, also due to the specificity of the bodies and departments under its command. As a higher education institute, the ISMA is tasked with raising the general, technical, scientific, and professional cultural level of Air Force Officers, developing and perfecting their preparation for the leadership and management roles that will be entrusted to them in the course of their respective careers.
The General Office for the Coordination of Accident Prevention and Environmental Protection, directly subordinate to the Chief of Staff of the Air Force, is tasked with formulating the Air Force's policy and defining guidelines for the protection of workers' health and safety and the environment. It promotes the creation and sharing of the culture and values that characterise these issues, for all personnel in Blue.
