Dive company fined $730k
A Victoria Dive Company has been fined for serious safety breaches. Many of the safety control measures for commercial diving are similar to confined space entry.
A diving company that endangered its workers has been fined $730,000 under the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
The court was told that United Inspection Services Pty Ltd (UIS) exposed its workers to dangerous situations on five jobs in 2018. The company did not provide proper training, equipment, communication and emergency plans for its workers.
One of the workers got stuck in a narrow culvert with rats and water while inspecting it. She called for help, but no one answered. She freed herself after 15 minutes. The backup diver was not qualified or prepared to rescue her.
The workers told their director about their concerns, but they were ignored. They contacted WorkSafe in August 2018. UIS then told its workers to lie about their training and experience.
WorkSafe Executive Director of Health and Safety Narelle Beer said UIS showed a complete disregard for the safety and wellbeing of its workers.
“Diving is a highly specialised and hazardous activity, and UIS put its workers in harm’s way,” Dr Beer said.
“WorkSafe will prosecute any employer who does that.”
Employers who conduct occupational diving must follow these steps to ensure the safety of their workers:
Consult with employees and create a diving operations manual that documents safe procedures.
Provide information, instruction, or supervision to enable workers to perform their work safely and without health risks.
Ensure all divers have the appropriate training and qualifications and are medically fit to dive.
Develop a dive plan or safe work method statement (SWMS) that incorporates a dive plan and review it if needed.
Test breathing gas quality and ensure compression chamber support is available.
Ensure enough personnel are used in each diving operation and that diver emergency procedures are in place.
Ensure specific requirements for SCUBA, SSBA, or EAN diving operations are in place.
Report and record all accidents, incidents and near misses and review and revise risk control measures where necessary.
Based on news report - www.worksafe.vic.gov.au