Posted By Steve Appleton
On second reading of the regulations I found the definition I was after - a person dives if they enter a liquid or presurised chamber & they need to breath presurised air or other gas to survive

Posted By john ridley
This wold not be a diving project Steve unless there is any possibility of going sub-surface. This will then become a diving project and subject to DWR. It will be categorised as a commercial inland/inshore operation and the client who commissions the work has a duty to ensure that a competent diving contractor is appointed, making sure the site is safe to use, identifies all known hazards such as underwater obstructions and contaminated waters etc. and supporting the contractor and supervisor in any emergency.

This does not mean, however, that there is no danger associated with the work. Therefore, I would suggest that your contractor assesses the risk and implements control measureas, ensures that everyone is fully aware of the method of work and can produce evidence to that effect, ensures that suitable and sufficient rescue measures are in place, provides suitable entry and exit points, that all plant and equipment is suitable and certified for the purpose for which it is to be used e.g. harnesses etc. and that adequate first aid and medical treatment is immediately available.

Strong currents, slips, falls and injuries due to underwater obstructions can all kick in here. As a diver myself I still remember doing similar work like this in a dry suit without BA and ending up with a gob full after falling into a sewage pit as a result of not being aware of a underwater drop off into the pit during a river search. Not something I want to repeat although the Navy paid me special service pay of 50 pence a day. Nice!