Regional Head of Health, Safety, Environment and Quality Dean O’Cass is spearheading Babcock Australasia’s COVID-19 strategies – his expertise draws on a long career of military service.
I was a fresh-faced 18-year-old when my military career began at the Royal Regiment of Australian Artillery. My first job was in the quartermaster stores, I was then employed as a gun tractor driver before becoming a Black Hawk aircrewman with Special Operations.
As a Standards Manager I was responsible for developing risk management plans and mission risk profiles for Australia’s Special Operations aviation capability.
Developing the aviation Safety Management System (SMS) was key to my role as Regiment Safety Officer in Townsville.
I went from parachuting out of aircraft to a career in safety but it was the overall experience gained through 19 years in the Australian Defence Force which has served me well at Babcock Australasia.
Since being appointed Regional Head of Health, Safety, Environment and Quality early last year, I’ve gained exposure to operations beyond sectors I’ve previously worked in. I am finding strong collaboration as many of my colleagues have military backgrounds as well. At the moment I am managing the organisation’s approach to Coronavirus.
My routine on Anzac Day has been the same since 1995; attend a Dawn Service, have breakfast and enjoy a catch-up with the mates I served with and remember some colleagues that have passed away over the years.
I’ll be catching up with people on the phone this time – it is just the way it is at the moment; there are some mixed emotions.