Issue Date:  -  Wednesday, 4 March 1998

Diving

The tragic loss of two people during a scuba diving trip off Queensland last week has prompted WorkSafe Western Australia to remind divers that WA has several laws covering recreational diving.

WorkSafe Western Australia Chief Inspector Construction and Engineering, Mr Frank Keough, said today there were several areas under which commercial recreational diving was covered, including workplace safety laws.

"The principle legislation governing the safety of recreational diving is Section 21 of the Occupational Safety and Health Act 1984, under which obligations are placed on employers and self-employed persons to ensure the safety and health of persons who are not employees," Mr Keough said.

"This covers commercial operators supporting recreational diving.

"There are other provisions of this legislation which also apply in the recreational diving sector."

Mr Keough said the Occupational Safety and Health Act applied to any recreational diving performed at a workplace. The boat and the divesite were both considered workplaces.

The legislation also applied to any diving operations conducted for the purpose of training or supervising recreational divers.

"Operators must ensure there are appropriately trained and qualified diving staff supervising the recreational divers," Mr Keough said.

"Operators must also satisfy themselves as to the competency of any participating recreational divers, and that they are medically fit to dive.

"Relevant Australian Standards provide the minimum training and certification required for recreational divers, and the dive platform must meet all requirements of the Department of Transport for a vessel in survey and have appropriate safe systems of work.

"A dive co-ordinator, a dive master or a dive instructor and a lookout should form the minimum dive supervisory team, and control all aspects of sub-sea activity undertaken by the recreational diving group.

"A log should also be kept to record the names of the people diving, ensuring all divers are accounted for at all times," he said.

Mr Keough said occupational diving varied between industry sectors, but minimum standards must be maintained in all areas, including the recreational diving sector.

He encouraged recreational diving charter boat operators to meet and develop an industry-based Code of Practice to ensure all minimum standards were being met.