Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) in the Diving Career

Occupational diving is a critical component of many industries such as underwater construction, oil and gas, scientific research, aquaculture, and salvage.

While the profession provides unique opportunities, it comes with inherent risks such as drowning, respiratory issues, hypothermia, and physical injuries.

Ensuring the health and safety of divers is essential for preventing workplace incidents and protecting employees from potential hazards.

This guide explores the key components of OHS in diving, diving systems, employer and worker responsibilities, and the relevant safety regulations.

1. Overview of Diving Hazards and Risks

Diving poses unique challenges due to the underwater environment. The depth, duration, frequency, and type of dive, as well as the work being performed, all contribute to the potential hazards. Key risks include:

• Drowning: Caused by equipment failure, panic, or environmental factors.
• Respiratory and Circulatory Problems: Issues like decompression sickness (DCS) and arterial gas embolism (AGE).
• Hypothermia: Prolonged exposure to cold water can lead to life-threatening conditions.
• Physical Injuries: These can occur from underwater debris, equipment malfunction, or interactions with marine life.
• Low Visibility: Decreased visibility can make navigation difficult and increase the risk of accidents.

Common Diving Hazards

2. OHS Regulations and Standards in Diving

Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) regulations provide the framework for safe diving operations. Employers must comply with national and international standards to ensure diver safety.

The CSA Standard Z275.2-20: Occupational Safety Code for Diving Operations is the primary guideline in Canada, and similar regulations apply globally.

Key Requirements of CSA Standard Z275.2-20:

1. Medical Certification:
   • All divers must have current medical certification from a qualified medical practitioner before beginning any dive.
   • Employers must keep records of divers’ medical certificates at the dive site.
2. Diver Training and Certification:
   • Divers must be trained to the minimum level required by the First Aid Regulation 2004-130.
   • Employers must maintain records of diver training and ensure divers are competent for the planned operation.
3. Diving Records:
   • Each diver must maintain a personal logbook that records all dives, medical examinations, and other compressed air exposures. These records must be kept for five years.
   • Employers must keep a daily log of diving operations, including information about the dive, equipment used, and diver details.
4. Emergency and Contingency Planning:
   • Employers must prepare for emergencies by having a rescue plan, emergency equipment, and a hyperbaric chamber ready when required.
   • A backup plan for the recovery of unconscious divers must be in place.

Essential Information to Record in a Diver’s Logbook

3. Employer Responsibilities in Diving Operations

Employers have a duty to ensure safe diving operations by providing proper equipment, competent personnel, and detailed dive planning. They must also ensure that all safety standards are followed and that divers are adequately trained.

Key Employer Duties:

1. Provide Appropriate Training and Certification:
   • Ensure that each diver has successfully completed a relevant training course or possesses the experience needed for the type of dive being undertaken.
2. Ensure Medical Fitness:
   • Verify that each diver has a valid medical certification before every dive.
   • Keep updated copies of medical certificates at the dive site.
3. Conduct Hazard Assessments:
   • Evaluate dive sites for potential hazards such as strong currents, poor visibility, and underwater obstacles.
   • Prepare site-specific safety procedures.
4. Diving Equipment Maintenance:
   • Maintain all diving equipment in accordance with manufacturer recommendations.
   • Regularly inspect and service critical systems such as breathing apparatus, communication devices, and buoyancy control devices.
5. Plan Dive Operations in Detail:
   • Designate a competent diving supervisor with a minimum of five years of diving experience to oversee each dive.
   • Conduct thorough briefings before each dive, covering potential hazards, emergency protocols, and equipment usage.
6. Emergency Preparedness:
   • Ensure emergency medical services and decompression chambers are readily available.
   • Keep a standby diver and backup equipment on hand for rescue operations.

4. Diver Responsibilities

Divers have an obligation to follow safety protocols, maintain their equipment, and ensure their physical fitness for diving. They must also keep detailed records of each dive in their logbooks.

Key Diver Responsibilities:

1. Use Equipment Properly:
   • Follow the training and instructions provided by the employer.
   • Conduct pre-dive checks to ensure all equipment is in working order.
2. Maintain Personal Logbooks:
   • Record all relevant information for each dive, including depth, time, and equipment used.
   • Retain logbooks for at least five years after the completion of the dive.
3. Report Hazards:
   • Notify the diving supervisor of any hazards or malfunctions encountered during the dive.
   • Do not proceed with a dive if any safety concerns are present.
4. Medical Certification:
   • Ensure that a valid medical certificate is in place before every dive.
   • Notify the diving supervisor of any medical conditions that may impair diving ability.

5. Diving Systems and Their Safety Considerations

SCUBA Diving Systems:

SCUBA (Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus) diving systems are commonly used for recreational, commercial, and scientific diving. SCUBA diving involves carrying a tank of compressed air or other breathing gas, which allows the diver to be independent from surface-supplied air.

SCUBA Safety Considerations:

• Divers must be trained to handle emergencies such as equipment malfunctions and air depletion.
• A backup air supply (such as a reserve or bail-out system) is essential in case of main system failure.
• SCUBA systems are limited in depth and duration compared to surface-supplied systems.

Surface-Supplied Diving Systems:

Surface-supplied diving involves a diver receiving air from the surface through a hose connected to a compressor. This system allows for longer dives at greater depths.

Surface-Supplied Safety Considerations:

• Surface-supplied divers must have effective two-way communication with the surface team.
• The air supply must be monitored to ensure that it is free of contaminants and delivered at the correct pressure.
• Standby divers and emergency rescue systems must be in place during surface-supplied operations.

Deep Diving Systems:

Deep diving requires specialized equipment such as submersible compression chambers and diving bells. These systems are used in extreme environments like underwater construction and offshore drilling.

Deep Diving Safety Considerations:

• Decompression procedures are critical to avoid decompression sickness (DCS).
• A hyperbaric chamber must be available on-site for deep diving operations that require decompression stops.
• Backup systems must be in place for emergency air supply and ascent.

6. Questions and Exercises

Discussion Questions:

1. What are the primary risks associated with deep diving, and how can they be mitigated?
2. Describe the key responsibilities of a diving supervisor in planning and conducting a safe dive operation.
3. Why is it important for divers to maintain a personal logbook, and what information should be recorded?

Exercise:

Scenario: You are the diving supervisor for an underwater construction project. The dive involves reaching depths of 45 meters in an area with strong currents and low visibility.

• Task 1: List the steps you would take to prepare for this dive, including equipment checks, safety briefings, and hazard assessments.
• Task 2: Create a contingency plan for handling emergencies such as equipment failure or the need for rapid evacuation.

Occupational diving is an exciting but hazardous profession that requires careful planning, strict adherence to safety protocols, and ongoing training. Both employers and divers have critical roles to play in ensuring a safe working environment.

By following established standards such as the CSA Standard Z275.2-20, maintaining proper equipment, and conducting regular safety briefings, diving operations can be carried out safely and effectively.

For more information, consult the Aquaculture Code of Practice and relevant OHS regulations to ensure that your diving operations meet the highest safety standards.

Notes:

• Always ensure that all dive records, certifications, and medical evaluations are kept up-to-date.
• Proper communication between the dive team and surface crew is crucial for ensuring diver safety.

By adopting a proactive approach to safety and complying with regulatory standards, both divers and employers can reduce the risks associated with this challenging and rewarding career.