Carrying loads on the head

Cervical spondylosis - Carrying loads on the head Factor

This factor in the Statement of Principles for cervical spondylosis requires carrying loads of at least:

15 kilograms for operational service cases, 25 kilograms for eligible service cases, on the head while upright.

To give perspective to a weight of 15 kilograms, 6 reams of A4 paper 80 gsm weighs just less than 15 kilograms.

It is unlikely that service in the Australian military involved carrying such weights on the head - the carrying of loads on the head is more common in countries such as Ghana.

A submission made to the RMA in October 2000 indicated that the new “ballistic” helmet combined with night vision equipment that is worn by armoured vehicle crewman and aircrew, weighed just over 3 kg.

Advice has also been received that the Alpha Military Aircrew Helmet weighs approximately 2 kilograms (advice from Elix-Comet, contacts for Helmet Integrated Systems Ltd).

Physical requirements, duties, and workplace hazards of specific military occupations

Investigative Documents

Preliminary questions [32063]

32142 there is some evidence that carrying loads on the head may be a factor in the development or worsening of the condition under consideration.

32143  the veteran has established the causal connection between carrying loads on the head and VEA service for the condition under consideration.

32144   the veteran has established the causal connection between carrying loads on the head and VEA service for the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.

32146  the veteran has established the causal connection between carrying loads on the head and operational service for the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.

or

32147  the veteran has established the causal connection between carrying loads on the head and eligible service for the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.

or

7334     the clinical onset of the condition under consideration occurred after the end of the veteran's last period of VEA service.

7335     the condition under consideration permanently worsened.

32145   the veteran has established the causal connection between carrying loads on the head and VEA service for the clinical worsening of the condition under consideration.

32148  the veteran has established the causal connection between carrying loads on the head and operational service for the clinical worsening of the condition under consideration.

or

32149  the veteran has established the causal connection between carrying loads on the head and eligible service for the clinical worsening of the condition under consideration.

Clinical onset and operational service [32146]

32150 the veteran carried loads of at least 15 kg on the head while upright to a cumulative total of at least 72,000 kg within any 10 year period.

32152 the veteran carried loads of at least 15 kg on the head while upright to a cumulative total of at least 72,000 kg within any 10 year period before the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.

32153 operational service made a material contribution to the veteran carrying loads of at least 15 kg on the head while upright to a cumulative total of at least 72,000 kg within any 10 year period before the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.

Clinical onset and eligible service [32147]

32151 the veteran carried loads of at least 25 kg on the head while upright to a cumulative total of at least 120,000 kg within any 10 year period.

32155 the veteran carried loads of at least 25 kg on the head while upright to a cumulative total of at least 120,000 kg within any 10 year period before the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.

32161 the clinical onset of the condition under consideration occurred within the 25 years following the 10 year period during which the veteran carried loads of at least 25 kg on the head while upright to a cumulative total of at least 120,000 kg.

32157 eligible service made a material contribution to the SOP requirements for carrying loads on the head before the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.

Clinical worsening and operational service [32148]

32150 the veteran carried loads of at least 15 kg on the head while upright to a cumulative total of at least 72,000 kg within any 10 year period.

34003 the veteran carried loads of at least 15 kg on the head while upright to a cumulative total of at least 72,000 kg within any 10 year period before the clinical worsening of the condition under consideration.

32159 the accumulation within any 10 year period of at least 72,000 kg from carrying loads of at least 15 kg on the head while upright commenced after the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.

32154 operational service made a material contribution to the veteran carrying loads of at least 15 kg on the head while upright to a cumulative total of at least 72,000 kg within any 10 year period before the clinical worsening of the condition under consideration.

Clinical worsening and eligible service [32149]

32151 the veteran carried loads of at least 25 kg on the head while upright to a cumulative total of at least 120,000 kg within any 10 year period.

32156 the veteran carried loads of at least 25 kg on the head while upright to a cumulative total of at least 120,000 kg within any 10 year period before the clinical worsening of the condition under consideration.

32162 the clinical worsening of the condition under consideration occurred within the 25 years following the 10 year period during which the veteran carried loads of at least 25 kg on the head while upright to a cumulative total of at least 120,000 kg.

32160 the accumulation within any 10 year period of at least 120,000 kg from carrying loads of at least 25 kg on the head while upright commenced after the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.

32158 eligible service made a material contribution to the SOP requirements for carrying loads on the head before the clinical worsening of the condition under consideration.