A self-employed diver has been sentenced for supplying a falsified diving medical certificate to an employer.
Leeds Magistrates Court heard that Daniel Tennant of Ripon, North Yorkshire did not hold a valid medical certificate of fitness to dive.
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A Health & Safety Executive (HSE) investigation discovered that in 2016 Tennant had a certificate “closely resembling” a genuine example, but it was one that had been altered to display a false expiry date.
He later produced the certificate to enter into a contract to provide his services as a commercial diver.
Tennant pleaded guilty to six breaches of the Diving at Work Regulations and one breach of the Health & Safety at Work Act.
His sentence of 32 weeks’ imprisonment was suspended for 12 months, but he was ordered to complete 150 hours of community service and to pay £12,000 in costs.
“Daniel Tennant undertook diving work while using a falsified fitness to dive certificate,“ said HSE Inspector Bill Elrick after the hearing.
“Divers should be aware that HSE will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action if they are in possession of or use a falsified fitness to dive certificate.”
