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5 May 2005 - HSE Warn of Risks in
Recreational Dive Training
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The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) warned of the risks
involved in recreational dive training, when correct risk assessments and diving
project plans are not adequately controlled or managed.
The HSE warning comes after an investigation into a
decompression sickness incident in August 2002, resulting in prosecution on 15
April 2005.
The company, Richard Taffs, trading as Diventure Salcombe was
fined £2,000 and ordered to pay costs of £2,000. Taffs submitted a
plea of guilty on 3 counts to the courts as follows:
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Failing to adequately plan, manage and conduct a diving project.
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Failing to ensure the safety of those taking part in the diving
activity.
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Failing to report a dangerous incident to HSE.
With charges being brought under the following Regulations
respectively:
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Regulations 6(1) and 10(1) of the Diving at Work Regulations
1997.
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Regulation 3(1)(e) of the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and
Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR).
Heard in court were the unnecessary risks to the people on the
dive as follows:
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Contrary to the stipulated guidance by the Professional
Association of Diving Instructors' (PADI), the people were allowed to dive to a
greater depth.
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The injured party did not have an approved medical certificate
of fitness to dive.
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An incident report was not made, as required by law, to the HSE.
HSE's Diving Inspector, Judith Tetlow commented on the
prosecution:
"The message to the diving industry is clear: under the law,
people who organise recreational dive training have a duty to ensure the safety
of those taking part. In particular, it is vital that before any dive, a
suitable risk assessment and diving project plan are prepared that identify
potential health and safety risks and then a suitable system of work is put in
place to manage them."
"HSE has produced an Approved Code of Practice that provides
advice and guidance on ensuring dives are carried out safely. Our diving
inspectors are also happy to provide similar advice. If in doubt, diving
providers should contact us."
The Chairman of the Bench told Taffs upon sentencing:
"You [Taffs] have been found to have been reckless and
negligent in that you failed to adequately plan, manage and conduct the dive and
thus put at risk not only Lindsey but all the participants on it."
Further information from the HSE on diving can be accessed by
clicking the following:
HSE - DIVING:
Article by Alexandra Johnston
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