DIVE INSTRUCTOR FINED Ł1,500 AFTER HSE PROSECUTION - from DIVER Magazine

DATELINE: 23 April, 2002

DIVE INSTRUCTOR FINED Ł1,500 AFTER HSE PROSECUTION
Troy Elliot, a part-time PADI instructor, was fined Ł1,500 after pleading guilty to breaches of the Health and Safety at Work Act and the Diving at Work Regulations 1997. The charges arose after the death of Kevin Holvey, one of Elliot's students, in March 2000, during a training dive in Babbacombe Bay.
This is the first time that the HSE has prosecuted a recreational diving instructor; and it is likely to be followed by further prosecutions involving the deaths of students undertaking training.
Peter Sieniewicz, the HSE inspector who led the investigation on behalf of the HSE said "This is a successful conclusion to a joint investigation between HSE and Devon and Cornwall Police. The message is clear: that failure to comply with standards and legislation will not be tolerated."
Diving instructors who are concerned to ensure they meet the requirements of the relevant Health and Safety legislation can contact the HSE on 08701 545 500.