HSE withdraws approval of medical examiners of divers based outside UK"

HSE Press Release E185:02 - 30 September 2002

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has today withdrawn approval of non-UK based medical examiners of divers. Approval of medical examiners from outside the EU was withdrawn in September 2001.

Medical examiners, i.e. doctors, in the UK are subject to an approval process involving a visit by an official from HSE's Employment Medical Advisory Service (EMAS). There will be no change to the way this work is done. The doctors are interviewed, their equipment is tested and their ability to carry out medical examinations to the required standard is assessed.

HSE has decided to withdraw its approval of non-UK medical examiners because the law it enforces and its responsibilities as a regulator do not extend beyond Great Britain. HSE cannot audit the competence of non-UK doctors, assess the suitability of their equipment or investigate complaints.

Divers working in UK waters must hold a valid certificate of medical fitness to dive issued by an HSE-approved medical examiner (i.e. a doctor). Diving contractors are responsible for checking that this is the case before taking on divers to work in UK waters. Divers working abroad when their certificate expires must satisfy local requirements for medical examination.

Under transitional arrangements, a number of medical examiners from the Republic of Ireland remain approved until the end of October 2002 when their approval will also be withdrawn.

Notes to editors

1. The Diving at Work Regulations 1997 require divers to hold a certificate of medical fitness to dive.

The head of HSE's EMAS approves suitable doctors to act as approved medical examiners of divers (AMEDs) under the Regulations.

2. HSE announced the withdrawal of approval of non-EU medical examiners of divers on 28 September 2001, in HSE Press Release: E174:01.

3. A list of AMEDs based in the UK can be found on the HSE website at: http://www.hse.gov.uk/diving/osd/amed1.htm

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