Divers warned over dangers of forging documents

Date:

23 October 2012

Divers and supervisors are being warned that they could be putting lives at risk if they forge documents, and could also face criminal charges.

It comes after a diving supervisor received a Police Caution under the Fraud Act 2006 for signing blank pages of a diver's log book.

The diver had subsequently falsified details of dives to make it look like he had the necessary experience needed for a Closed Bell course in Scotland.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) alerted the police when initial checks by course leaders indicated that some of the dives were not possible without a very high risk of decompression illness.

Chris Sherman, HSE's chief inspector of diving said:

"Divers and supervisors need to be reminded that log books are legal documents which must be completed accurately.

"Had the man succeeded in completing the course, which is for experienced divers only, he could have led dives which he was not properly qualified for, putting others at risk.

"HSE diving teams will investigate all cases where divers are found to hold forged documents or qualifications and will work with police where necessary."

Notes to editors

1. The HSE Closed Bell qualification allows divers to dive using saturation diving techniques. In order for a qualified diver to attend a closed bell course, they must be able to demonstrate that they have the necessary qualifications and have gained sufficient experience in the diving industry using surface supplied diving equipment. HSE has agreed the pre-requisites with industry. It usually takes between 1 and 2 years of working as a diver to gain the necessary experience. Further information on diving qualifications can be found at http://www.hse.gov.uk/diving/carr.htm
2. The Diving at Work Regulations 1997 (DWR), together with a series of five associated Approved Codes of Practice (ACoPs) seek to control the hazards associated with diving at work. For more information visit www.hse.gov.uk/diving/acop.htm
3. The DWR and ACoPs apply to all dives in British waters where one or more divers are at work (including recreational instructors), whether employed or self-employed. They impose duties on everyone involved in a project, from the client to individual divers doing the work, to take measures to ensure the health and safety of those taking part.
4. General advice on diving at work can be found on the HSE website at www.hse.gov.uk/diving/index.htm

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