BY The Age

Victoria's safety regulator has called on the scuba diving industry to be extra vigilant over summer, after a company was prosecuted over a client's death earlier this year.

WorkSafe Victoria executive director John Merritt said all dive companies should have procedures in place to ensure the safety of clients.

"Diving can be hazardous, but with inexperienced divers, risks are magnified," Mr Merritt said in a statement.

"In particular in Victoria, the colder conditions, strong currents and heavier weights needed for thicker, more buoyant wetsuits could put novice divers at risk."

Mr Merritt said inexperienced divers also had a role to play in reducing the risk of tragedy.

"Clients need to be up-front about their experience and qualifications and ensure they have accreditation with them," he said.

A WorkSafe Victoria investigation, DiveSafe, found while most businesses had adequate safety standards in place, some needed improvement.

The investigation followed the prosecution of a Melbourne dive company earlier this year after the death of a client off Portsea in 2004.

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