Dangers of Smart Watches While Performing Critical Tasks and at the Dive Site
Contractors should take note of the dangers associated with the distractions caused by smart watches.
Several years ago, the ADCI issued a safety notice warning of the hazards of smart phones and other personal devices at the dive site. Since that time, a new generation of smart watches has emerged which could pose an even greater risk than handheld phones. Research from the Transport Research Laboratory (TRL) has found that checking text messages or e-mails on a smart watch causes drivers to lose concentration and react more slowly to potential hazards than if they were using a smart phone.
Supervisors, Divers, Tenders, Life Support Technicians, Saturation Technicians, and other personnel involved in dive site operations are strongly cautioned on the wearing of these devices while on duty, and are urged to remove this real potential for distraction.
Contractors are recommended to establish company-wide policies which prohibit the wearing of smart watches while driving and performing tasks during dive site operations.
