BBC SOUTH

PRODUCTION RISK ASSESSMENT

Series

LIFE

* Mandatory

Programme No

Manager, Safety Services

Production dates

01.02.06 01.10.09

Safety Advisor, South *

Alastair Rickman

Recording date

14 25 August 2007

Unit Manager

Neil Nightingale

Location

Contact and Address:

Exec.Producer/Editor

Mike Gunton

Goulden Cay

C/o Stuart Coves

Dive Centre

Manager,Resources

New Providence

Nassau
New Providence
Manager,Premises

Producer

Neil Lucas

RNO (Foreign location)

Occupational Health

Tel no

46697

Room no & Dept

12, 7-9 TPR, NHU

THIS FORM MUST BE COMPLETED AND SAFETY PRECAUTIONS IMPLEMENTED

BEFORE ANY REHEARSAL/ PRODUCTION IS UNDERTAKEN
Tick the hazards identified then refer to the BBC Safety Rules and Guidance (latest version on Gateway)
(If you contract a company to provide a service in a high risk activity (those Identified with a * in the first column, then companies
listed on the BBC Pre-vetted List of Contractors must be used. If the programme includes high risk, activities, work abroad or the
use of Pre-vetted, contractors this form must be sent to Safety Services)

HAZARD - Pre-vetted
Contractors - attach
specific assessment
Aircraft / "special" flying
Armourers
Costume/Make-Up Vehicle
Diving Operations
Explosives/Pyrotechnics/ Fire
effects
Flying Ballet
Hydraulic Hoists (Cherry Pickers)
Lasers
Location Catering

*
*
X*
*
*
*
*

Location Lighting Services

Hire of Lighting Equipment

Scaffolds

Smoke Effects

*
*

Stunts
Physical Effects

HAZARD

HAZARD

Access/egress

Machinery

Animals

Manual handling (attach specific assessment)

Audience/Public

Mines/excavations/caves/tunnels/quarries

Communication Failure

Noise (attach specific assessment)

Compressed gas/cryogenics

Person with special needs

Confined spaces

Physical exertion

Derelict Buildings/dangerous structures

Radiation ionising/non ionising

Electricity or gas

Speed

Fire/Flammable material
Fight sequence

Tropical Diseases (e.g. Malaria - attach details

of medical arrangements e.g. prophylactics,
local hospitals and evacuation plan)
Vehicles/off road driving

Glass

Violence/ Public disorder

Hazardous substances/ chemicals/ drugs microorganisms (attach specific -assessment )

Heat/cold

Water

Hostile Environment: (attach confirmation of

clearances from Senior Management)
Inexperienced performer or children
N.B. for children, risk assessment must be
provided to parents or guardian.

Working patterns/working hours

Weather

Working at heights

Lifting appliances/ machinery

Other

Manual Handling:- details of significant equipment/gear to be carried/transported

Dive Equipment: Divers are experienced and know how to safely lift dive equipment and underwater film kit in and out
of boat.

Details of Diving Activity planned:

Hazards Identified and Risks Arising:

Activity 1. Working with Inside Life to

film their young presenter as he
conducts a breath hold dive underwater
and enters a small underwater scooter
known as a SUB. This device is used by
tourists and requires very little training.
All training is provided by Stuart Coves
Dive centre. Maximum depth will be 3m
and the water conditions will be benign.
Maximum dive time will be 60 minutes.
Surface cover will be in situ. It will be
conducted in an open water site, in a
calm area to the Southwest of New
Providence and due south of Goulden
Cay

Activity 1:
Children: All involved will complete CRB check. Father will be present. All
activities involving the child will be coordinated by the CBBC production team
see their separate risk assessment.
Diving: Normal diving risks associated with open water SCUBA diving. See
generic risk assessment for SCUBA attached in the supervisors (David
Jones) dive project plan. Dynamic Task and site specific risk assessments
and any changes to the control measures will be identified on the day of the
dive and will be completed by the Supervisor (David Jones).
SUB Activities:
Breath hold dive risk of unconsciousness and shallow water blackout due
to hyperventilation. There is a very low risk of this happening due to the
shallow depths of the activity. Experienced support will be used.
Information on the SUB is attached. Stuart Coves dive centre uses these
devices on a regular basis for tourists and we will be following their guidelines
and safety regulations. In addition, the experienced divers on the camera
team will only allow filming if they are content that all safety measures are
sufficient and comply with the BBC standards.
David Jones will carry out a shallow water assessment of James
competence in using snorkelling equipment and being able to duck dive to a
depth of 3 metres
Activity 2.1:

Activity 2.1 Filming the sinking of a

boat using SCUBA and Rebreathers

Diving on SCUBA: Normal diving risks associated with open water SCUBA
diving. See generic risk assessment for SCUBA attached in the supervisors
(David Jones) dive project plan.
Diving on Rebreather: All of the normal dangers associated with diving on
rebreathers. The cameraman and assistant are trained and very experienced
on rebreathers. In addition they have many hours experience diving together
and are well acquainted with each others rebreather units. They have
recently completed a BBC shoot where they were diving consistently together
on rebreathers.
Sinking of boat-A recce has been conducted by the shoot dive supervisor
(David Jones) and he has completed a dive project plan which is attached to
this document. David is a highly experienced diver and fully understands the
HSE dive safety standards. David will be responsible for the overall control of
the boat sinking and therefore all dive planning will go through him. When
sinking the boat David will be preoccupied with the logistics of sinking the
boat and therefore a separate dive supervisor will be appointed whose sole
responsibility will be the safety of the dive team.
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A minimum safe distance from the boat will be established before divers enter
the water. Chain / cable will be attached to the bow and stern and anchored
so as to ensure the boat sinks in the desired location. The minimum safe
distance will be determined according to the length of chain / cable that is
attached to the bow and stern with additional distance added as a safety
factor. This will be decided on location using David Joness experience.
A DYNAMIC RISK ASSESSMENT WILL BE COMPLETED PRIOR TO
SINKING OF THE BOAT IN ORDER TO INCORPORATE DETAILS WHICH
CANNOT BE PLANNED FOR BEFORE ARRIVING ON LOCATION.
Activity 2.2
Inspection of the wreck by David Jones

Activity 2.2
Once the boat has been sunk and given time to rest, David Jones will dive on
the wreck and give it a thorough inspection before any filming (Activity 3)
commences. David Jones is highly experienced and will brief all involved
about any potential dangers before diving.

Activity 3. Filming on the boat once

sunk using SCUBA and rebreathers
during daylight and at night.
Cameraman and assistant will be
accompanied by two animal wranglers /
production staff who will work together
to bring animals into the wreck and also
to set up and operate time-lapse rigs.

Diving on SCUBA: Normal diving risks associated with open water SCUBA
diving. See generic risk assessment for SCUBA attached in the supervisors
(David Jones) dive project plan.
Diving on Rebreather: All of the normal dangers associated with diving on
rebreathers. The cameraman and assistant are trained and very experienced
on rebreathers. In addition they have many hours experience diving together
and are well acquainted with each others rebreather units. They have
recently completed a BBC shoot where they were diving consistently together
on rebreathers.
Additional rebreather diving may be undertaken by Jonathan Smith and
David Jones. Jonathan Smith has completed the necessary rebreather
course but does not have the necessary hours to dive alone for the BBC.
Jonathan Smith will always be accompanied by a certified rebreather
instructor if diving on rebreather.
Diving at Night: There is a risk that divers can become separated from the
cover boat. Divers will have torches to ensure they can be spotted from boat.
Diving will take place on wreck and therefore diver location will always be
known to surface support.
Location Lighting: Risk of electrocution / fire / contact with water. We will be
using cable to surface 1.2K light systems powered by a generator at the
surface these can be carried by diver or suspended above water. All
members of the team will be briefed on the safe operation of these lights
before use and will be warned of any potential dangers. Kowalski Xenon
torches will also be used as fill in light and for close-up work.

All activities

Weather: Weather forecasts will be checked regularly so as to be prepared

for unexpected change in sea conditions.
DAVID JONES IS THE SHOOT DIVE SUPERVISOR AND WILL
THEREFORE ACT AS THE LEAD DIVE PLANNER ON DIVES WHERE HE
DEEMS IT NECESSARY TO ENTER THE WATER AND ANOTHER
SUPERVISOR HAS BEEN APPOINTED. AT ANY TIMES WHERE AN
ALTERNATE DIVE SUPERVISOR IS APPOINTED, A THOROUGH
HANDOVER WILL BE UNDERTAKEN BY DAVID JONES WITH SUPPORT
FROM THE BBC DIVE TEAM REPRESENTATIVE (JONATHAN SMITH).
THIS HANDOVER WILL INCORPORATE A THOROUGH BRIEFING OF ALL
DIVING ACTIVITIES UNDERTAKEN TO DATE AND A DIVING
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SUPERVISOR APPOINTMENT LETTER WILL BE SIGNED

* Please refer to Diving Risk Assessment Notes (Dive PRA notes.doc) when filling in this form
CAMERA

PRECAUTION/DETAILS

1) Type of camera gear:

Size and format of gear (ie Sony 750, Varicam, Z1, polecam etc):
Sony Z1 in underwater housing. Sony 750 HD Camera in housing.

BOAT

PRECAUTION/DETAILS

2) Operating
Conditions:*

Weather, sea state likely, landing conditions:

Open Water. Sea state likely to be calm due to sheltered location

3) Details:*

Append details if possible:

It has not been confirmed by the dive company which of their boats will be available for
use at the time of the shoot and this will not be decided until the day before the shoot. But
it will be one of the dive companies regular vessels. All boats are designed and fitted for
diving operations and all are fitted with safety equipment sufficient for number of
passengers on board. Boats are used for commercial diving with tourists and are therefore
covered under Stuart Coves / Nassau Undersea Adventures insurance.

Papers:

BOAT SUITABILITY AND INSURANCE DETAILS WILL BE CHECKED BY DAVID JONES

OR JONATHAN SMITH BEFORE HEADING TO SEA AND A COPY WILL BE SENT TO
THE BBC PRODUCTION STAFF.
Insurance details to be appended:
To be confirmed
4) Skipper:

Name, experience and/or qualification:

To be confirmed

Boat will be skippered by one of the dive centres experienced crew, experience and / or
qualifications will be checked by David Jones or Jonathan Smith before heading to sea.
ANIMALS

PRECAUTION/DETAILS

5) Animal/subject:*

Dangerous or benign. A number of invertebrate species may be incorporated and this will
depend on the wildlife in the vicinity of the boat site. Some coral reef invertebrate species
can be dangerous. Jonathan Smith is a marine biologist with considerable coral reef
experience and will identify any potentially dangerous animal and point them out to the
dive team eg cone shells.
Handlers, Advisors if necessary (experience, qualifications and role):
Special equipment: shark cages or shark sticks etc:

DIVING PERSONNEL

PRECAUTION/DETAILS

6) Dive Contractor:*

Contractor details - company name and on approved list of BBC diving contractors:
BBC

7) Dive Team Size:*

8) Dive team:*
Names and qualifications.

List total team size:

Activity 1: 6
Activity 2.1: 5
Activity 2.2: 4
Activity 3: 6
ACTIVITY 1:
Presenter/performer - James Murray

See both NHU dive policy

(NHU dive policy.doc) and
Diving Risk Assessment
Notes (PRA notes.doc)

Buddy David Jones - PADI Course Director, HSE Part 4, Commercial Instructor
Cameraman - Mike Pitts HSE 1
Buddy - Ian Thomas IANTD Instructor Trainer, CMAS 3*
Standby on surface Scott Tibbles PADI Instructor, First Aid Instructor certs on BBC
records OR Neil Lucas HSE Media - certs on BBC records (To be appointed on the day
by the dive Supervisor)
Supervisor - Jonathan Smith - HSE SCUBA, PADI AI, Inspiration CCR certs on BBC
records
ACTIVITY 2.1:
Cameraman - Mike Pitts HSE 1
Buddy / second camera - Ian Thomas IANTD Instructor Trainer, CMAS 3*
In water standby - Jonathan Smith - HSE SCUBA, PADI AI, Inspiration Closed Circuit
Rebreather
Standby on surface A local diver will be used. Qualifications and medical will be checked
and verified by supervisor.
Supervisor - Neil Lucas HSE Media
ACTIVITY 2.2
Diver 1 - PADI Course Director, HSE Part 4, Commercial Instructor
Diver 2-

Jonathan Smith - HSE SCUBA, PADI AI, Inspiration Closed Circuit Rebreather

Standby on surface A local diver will be used. Qualifications and medical will be checked
and verified by supervisor.
Supervisor - Neil Lucas HSE Media
ACTIVITY 3:
Cameraman - Mike Pitts HSE 1
Buddy - Ian Thomas IANTD Instructor Trainer, CMAS 3*
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Additional diver 1 Neil Lucas HSE Media Commercial Instructor

Additional diver 2 - Jonathan Smith - HSE SCUBA, PADI AI, Inspiration Closed Circuit
Rebreather
Standby on surface A local diver will be used. Qualifications and medicals will be
checked and verified by supervisor.
Supervisor - David Jones - PADI Course Director, HSE Part 4, Commercial Instructor
DAVID JONES IS THE SHOOT DIVE SUPERVISOR AND WILL THEREFORE ACT AS
THE LEAD DIVE PLANNER ON ALL DIVES. AT ANY TIMES WHERE HE DEEMS IT
NECESSARY TO ENTER THE WATER AN ALTERNATE DIVE SUPERVISOR WILL BE
APPOINTED. A THOROUGH HANDOVER WILL BE UNDERTAKEN BY DAVID JONES
WITH SUPPORT FROM THE BBC DIVE TEAM REPRESENTATIVE (JONATHAN SMITH).
THIS HANDOVER WILL INCORPORATE A THOROUGH BRIEFING OF ALL DIVING
ACTIVITIES UNDERTAKEN TO DATE AND A DIVING SUPERVISOR APPOINTMENT
LETTER WILL BE SIGNED
(DIVE FORMS MUST BE TAKEN ON LOCATION AND COMPLETED BY THE
SUPERVISOR. A form is attached to this document, please print & copy as required)
DIVING CONDITIONS
9) Dive Conditions:*

Pool, river, open water dive:

Open Water
Conditions - Depth, visibility, temperature and current:
Activity 1: 3m dive, visibility in excess of 10m, water temperature 28 degrees, current
minimal
Activity 2 & 3: : 15m dive, visibility in excess of 20m, water temperature 28 degrees, current
minimal
Dive environment - marine, freshwater, shore, reef, enclosed wreck, open water, strong
current, ice or cave:
Sea water, off a coral reef
Diving Altitude - sea level or higher: Sea level

DIVE OPERATION
10) Dive Plan:*

Diving type - snorkel, scuba, nitrox, trimix, rebreather: (see 14)

Scuba
Rebreather
Diving plan - buddy, surface support, solo:
Buddy
Surface support (eg inflatable)?
Hard boat with full support crew
Communication device supported? (required for solo diving):
None required
Dive locator device? (again required for solo diving):
None required
Delayed Surface Marker Buoy:
None Required
Planned depth, duration:
Activity 1 - 3m maximum for 1 hour. SUBs are tethered to the surface at that depth.
Activity 2 and 3 15m for maximum dive time of 3 hours (when using CCR)
Diving frequency - single dive days, multiple dive days and number of days :
Activity 1 - Single dive on the day.
Activity 2 and 3 multiple dives each day. Maximum of 3. dives in accordance with
decompression tables
No stop or decompression stop: (see 11)
Maximum 10 minutes decompression

11) Decompression
regime:*

Which tables or computers used:

Computers backed up by RN Table 11
Stops or safety stops:
SCUBA: 3 min safety stop at 5m where practical
REBREATHER: Max 10 minutes decompression plus 9 and 6 m safety stops depending on
schedule
Additional safety for stop dives (decompression gas?):
N/A as decompression will only be using CCR

12) Dive Equipment:*

Equipment service details:

Personal equipment to be used. Supervisor will check that all is in good condition and
serviced before beginning of shoot.
Scubapro Mk20 S600. Serviced on 12 monthly schedule in accordance with DWR 1997. All
equipment will be checked by D M Jones (qualified advanced ASSET maintainer) prior to
use.
CCRs Ambient Pressure Inspirations and Evolutions
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13) Bail Out Systems:*

Details of bail out systems - pony bottles etc:

None buddy system will suffice in circumstances of this dive on open circuit. On CCR in
built bail out.

14) Technical Dive

Equipment:*
(Rebreathers, mixed gas
and Lama Helmet)

System to be used:

(Seek advice from NHU

dive team.)

None
Additional team members (qualifications/training/diving fitness)

Inspriation and Evolution

Special safety notes:

N/A
Additional equipment and back up:
none
Gas mixing details:
N/a
FIT TO DIVE

DETAILS

15) Medicals*

Expiry dates of divers medicals.

David Jones expires 30 July 2008
Mike Pitts medical expires March 2008
Ian Thomas expires June 08
Jonathan Smith expires October 2008
Neil Lucas expires July 2008
Is any member of the team pregnant?

16) Pregnancy***
17) Diver Insurance

No
Who in the team has insurance?
Mike Pitts Through DAN
David Jones Through Tett-Hamilton. (PADI Affiliated insurance) Liability of 5m
Ian Thomas DAN
Jonathan Smith - DAN

EMERGENCY

DETAILS & CONTACTS

18) First Aid - general

Any specific medication relevant to shoot: eg anti-histamines for stings, anti-venom for
bites, strong anti-sea sickness medication.

First Aid*- diving

Details of first aid qualification held by team members:

David Jones First aid instructor trainer
Scott Tibbles First aid instructor
Mike Pitts Diver Med Tech
Ian Thomas - Remote technician
Jonathan Smith HSE First Aid
Oxygen administrator:
Mike Pitts - DMT
David Jones DAN Advanced Oxygen Instructor Trainer
Ian Thomas O2 Provider
Jonatha Smith

19) Medical Equipment:*

Medical oxygen available:

Yes sufficient for return journey
First aid kit:
Yes

20) Recompression and

Evacuation:*

Details of nearest chambers and contacts:

The Bahamas Hyperbaric Centre
The Lyford Cay Hospital
Nassau
Bahamas
24 hr phone 242 362 4025
Availability:
24 hours
Evacuation route - boat, air, coast guard etc:
Through Stuart cove emergency action plan. By vehicle to Lyford Cay Hospital.
Contact to emergency service:
As above
Maximum evacuation time:
45 minutes

Please confirm that you have got a copy of the document: DIVE ACCIDENT MANAGEMENT
(tick the box)

yes

10

Health and Safety Training

Contractor:
Producer:
Location Safety training
Person responsible for safety Location Safety training

Interactive video
Interactive video

With the above precautions in place I assess the risk to be

High

Signature: Producer...

Dept Manager..

Medium

Manual Handling
Manual Handling

Diving
Diving

Low x
Date

NHU Dive Team...

Regional Broadcasting Safety South may be contacted for advice on (006) 42956
Fax Number 0117 9467564
Manager Safety Services Regional Broadcasting may be contacted for advice on (07) 25073/24205
Fax Number 0181 7524697

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