Uwatec analogue submersible pressure gauges, part number A1-111, A1-115
Background
Risks
Legislation
Action to be taken
Background
The Recreational Diving and Snorkelling Blitz undertaken across Queensland between October 2001 and January 2002 included an inspection of dive shop scuba regulators supplied to diving customers. During these visits by Workplace Health and Safety Inspectors, a number of Uwatec analogue submersible pressure gauges, part number A1-111 and A1-115, were observed to not be reading zero when not connected to a scuba cylinder. Ongoing inspections in 2003 have shown a number of similarly faulty gauges still in use.
Gauges reading more than 10 Bar were withdrawn from service and examples seized (photo 1 and 2).
Photograph 1: 3 Uwatec submersible pressure gauges
Photograph 2: Uwatec submersible pressure gauge
Risks
The submersible pressure gauge is an important safety feature of standard scuba equipment. Inaccurate gauges make it impossible for a diver to accurately monitor their air supply and may lead to a sudden loss of their breathing air supply.
Legislation
The Workplace Health and Safety Act 1995 states in section 28(3):
"An employer has an obligation to ensure … the workplace health and safety of others is not affected by the way the employer conducts the employer’s undertaking"
The Compressed Air Recreational Diving and Recreational Snorkelling Industry Code of Practice 2000 states in section 1.3.6A:
"The employer/ self-employed person should ensure diving equipment supplied to divers is:
Checked before diving starts to make sure it is in safe working condition"
Action to be taken
Employers and self employed persons should check all submersible pressure gauges supplied to divers prior to issue and immediately remove from service any gauges that do not zero when disconnected from a pressure source. These gauges should not be used for diving purposes.
Further Information
Chris Coxon
Principal Workplace Health and Safety Inspector (Diving)
Phone: (07) 4048 1436
Web: http://www.whs.qld.gov.au/
Last updated July 28, 2005