Risk assessments
A variety of control measures can be used to manage specific risks associated with recreational diving. Employers should follow this five-step process, detailed in Section 22 of the Workplace Health and Safety Act 1995 (PDF, 766 KB):
- identify the hazards
- assess the risks that may result because of the hazards
- decide on control measures to prevent or minimise the risks
- implement the control measures
- monitor and review the effectiveness of the control measures.
Conduct a risk assessment of environmental conditions at each dive site. When assessing the site, consider:
- currents
- weather
- surface conditions
- visibility
- maximum dive depths.
Manage risks in relation to:
- diver abilities
- marine jellyfish stings
- ratio of lookouts/supervisors to divers.
Modify diving procedures if the assessment shows that normal control measures are not enough to minimise risks to divers.
Read more about the risk management process.
An example of a risk assessment for certified divers (PDF, 25 KB) is provided to show how the health and safety requirements for risk assessment may be addressed.
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