Recommendation 3

The failure to escalate and address noise and vibration issues in a timely manner shows that the Department must simplify its over-complex safety processes and change behaviours. The Department acknowledges that it has injured some soldiers, which it rightly describes as “unforgivable”. It was slow to escalate concerns about noise and vibration because its processes were over-complicated, and parts of the Department lacked authority to ensure safety issues were addressed before trials began. The Army says it now places greater emphasis on safety and looking after its personnel, but acknowledges there is still more to do. The Department has started to implement the recommendations in David King’s noise and vibration report and introduced a new web-based application, which has led to a 40% increase in soldiers reporting incidents since January 2022. However, it needs to ensure the flow of information from junior ranks to senior officers will be thorough and transparent. Ajax’s safety problems have led the Department to investigate broader issues around noise-induced hearing loss, which results in the largest number of claims in the armed forces compensation scheme. Recommendation: The Department should set out the changes to its safety processes that it is making in response to the King Report and how it is monitoring the effectiveness of these initiatives. This should include the steps it is taking to improve openness and communication, including the use of the new web-based application. The Department should provide us with an update on progress when we next take evidence.