SACRAMENTO, California (8 August 2007) -- State investigators on Tuesday cited the Department of Water Resources for safety lapses that appear to have contributed to the deaths of two divers in the California Aqueduct earlier this year. The California Division of Occupational Safety and Health offered no conclusive reason for the February deaths of divers Tim Crawford, 50, and Martin Alvarado, 44. Nevertheless, it fined the department $16,120 for violating work force safety regulations. Crawford and Alvarado drowned Feb. 7 while performing a routine search for mussels on the metal trash grates at the Dos Amigos Pumping Plant near Los Banos. Investigators called decisions by the divers and plant employees possible "contributing factors" in the deaths. They included running a pump during the 30-minute dive, the divers' decision not to use communications gear and the use of an untrained employee to watch over them. Water Resources Director Lester Snow said the recommended changes would improve the dive program, which has been suspended since the deaths. "Our paramount concern is the safety of our employees," Snow said in a statement. An independent panel of diving experts also is reviewing the incident. The investigation by Cal-OSHA had findings similar to those made public last month by the California Highway Patrol. Despite the investigations, the specific cause remains unanswered. | | An evaluation of the divers' gear provided few clues, according to the report. Tests on the tanks and air compressor by the Navy showed no sign of contamination. However, the department was fined $750 because its compressor lacked a high temperature or carbon monoxide alarm. Last month's report by the CHP revealed that rescue efforts were delayed because employees at the plant did not know how to respond and waited about an hour to call 911 after the pair failed to surface. Then, a diver called to the plant had to wait for equipment necessary to make the dive. SOURCE - The CitizenSCUBA FORUMDISCUSS THIS TOPIC - Dive in and have your say at Scuba ForumCDNN Related NewsCALIFORNIA - Investigation reveals confused response to diver deathsCALIFORNIA - Diving program suspended after diver deathsCALIFORNIA - State divers killed during routine pump inspection |
