Canada Occupational Health and Safety Regulations (SOR/86-304)

18.20 The primary duties of the dive supervisor shall include

• (a) ensuring that every member of the dive team is familiar with the dive plan;

• (b) ensuring that every member of the dive team understands the member’s duties, including the emergency procedures to be followed;

• (c) ensuring, before each dive, that all necessary equipment is available and in good operating condition; and

• (d) supervising the entire diving operation.

Hazards

18.21 Immediately before each dive, the dive supervisor shall review the nature of any hazards at the dive site and ensure that all divers are fully aware of the hazards likely to be encountered in the diving operation.

Communications

18.22 Every employer shall, for the purposes of paragraph 18.9(1)(h), ensure that all means of communication used at the dive site are

• (a) appropriate for the operation; and

• (b) understood by all members of the dive team.

Breathing Supply

• 18.23 (1) Every employer shall ensure that a reserve breathing supply sufficient to allow the safe termination of a dive is immediately available to the diver.

• (2) Where required by the dive plan, the reserve breathing supply referred to in subsection (1) shall be carried by the diver.

18.24 Every employer shall ensure that air compressors and filter systems are tested annually and produce breathing mixtures that meet the requirements of clause 3.8 of CSA Standard CAN/CSA-Z275.2-92, Occupational Safety Code for Diving Operations, published in English in April 1992 and in French in February 1994, as amended from time to time.

18.25 Where a dive plan requires that oxygen for therapeutic purposes be available, the employer shall supply

• (a) demand-type oxygen therapy equipment; and

• (b) an adequate quantity of oxygen.

Diving Equipment

• 18.26 (1) Every employer shall ensure that all diving equipment used by employees is

  • (a) designed for its intended use and maintained in a condition that ensures its continuing operation for the purpose and at the depth for which it was designed; and

  • (b) inspected, tested, maintained and calibrated by a qualified person at intervals recommended by the manufacturer and whenever the equipment is thought to be defective.

• (2) Every employer shall ensure that diving equipment used by persons who are not employees and who are granted access to the work place is in a condition that ensures its operation for the purpose and at the depth for which it was designed.

• 18.27 (1) Immediately before each dive, every diver shall check that all the equipment the diver requires is present, properly fastened in place and functioning.

• (2) Before beginning a descent, every diver shall conduct the check specified in subsection (1) again in the water.

• 18.28 (1) Every employer shall ensure that whenever diving operations are carried out from a diving station located more than 2 m above the water, the divers are transported through the air-water interface by a cage, basket or platform.

• (2) Every employer shall ensure that a stationary platform from which a diver works, or any cage, basket or platform on or in which a diver is lowered to or raised from an underwater work place, and any associated hoisting devices and tackle,

  • (a) are used for the purpose for which they were designed; and

  • (b) do not in themselves create a hazard.

• (3) Any cage, basket or platform and any associated equipment referred to in subsection (2) shall be dedicated to the diving operations until the dive is completed.

18.29 Floating equipment used in diving operations, including a vessel that is anchored or moored, shall not be moved or relocated while a diver is in the water unless the dive supervisor agrees to the move or relocation.

18.30 The employer shall ensure that, when a floating platform, vessel or boat is used in support of the dive, it remains on site at all times while a diver is in the water.

• 18.31 (1) Every employer shall ensure that, where a dive plan requires the use of a lifeline to tether a diver, the lifeline

  • (a) is free of knots and splices, other than knots and splices necessary to attach the lifeline to the diver and the dive site;

  • (b) has a breaking strength of not less than 1400 kg;

  • (c) is secured to the diver so as to prevent loss of contact with the diver; and

  • (d) is secured at the surface to a safe point of anchorage.

• (2) A lifeline shall always be used in dives taking place under ice.

• (3) Every employer shall ensure that a lifeline is tended at all times by a diver’s tender.

18.32 Every submersible pressure gauge and every depth gauge shall be inspected by a qualified person

• (a) before being used for the first time;

• (b) thereafter at intervals not exceeding 12 months; and

• (c) whenever the gauge is thought to be defective.

• 18.33 (1) Where an employee finds a defect in any diving equipment, including pressure gauges and depth gauges, that may render it unsafe for use, the employee shall immediately report the defect to the employer.

• (2) An employer shall mark or tag as unsafe and remove from service any diving equipment, including pressure gauges and depth gauges, that may be used by employees where a defect may render it unsafe for use.

Termination of Dive

18.34 A dive shall be terminated in accordance with the dive plan referred to in subsection 18.9(1) or when

• (a) a dive team member requests termination;

• (b) a diver loses contact with or fails to respond correctly to a communication from a diving partner;

• (c) a diver loses contact with or fails to respond correctly to a communication from the diver’s tender;

• (d) a diver’s primary breathing supply fails; or

• (e) a diver becomes aware of any sign of a malfunction of equipment or any sign or symptom of diver distress.

Observation After Diving

18.35 Every employer shall ensure that, on completion of a dive, a diver remains under observation for a period of time sufficient to ensure the health and safety of the diver.

Flying After Diving

• 18.36 (1) An employer shall not allow a diver to fly at an altitude greater than 300 m above the altitude of the dive site unless the following period of time has elapsed:

  • (a) 12 hours following a no-decompression dive;

  • (b) 24 hours following a decompression dive; or

  • (c) such time as is specified by a physician who treated the diver for a pressure-related injury.

• (2) Subsection (1) does not apply to an emergency air evacuation.

• (3) In the event of an emergency air evacuation, provision shall be made to furnish the diver with oxygen, and the flight altitude and in-flight conditions shall be those recommended by the attending physician or dive supervisor.

Reports and Records

• 18.37 (1) Every diver shall report to the employer any occurrence that has caused a diving-related injury to the diver.

• (2) The employer shall investigate the occurrence reported pursuant to subsection (1) and keep a written record of its findings.

• 18.38 (1) Every employer shall ensure that a dive record is kept for every diver.

• (2) The record referred to in subsection (1) shall contain, for each dive,

  • (a) the date of the dive;

  • (b) the dive location;

  • (c) the name of the diver;

  • (d) the name of the standby diver, if any;

  • (e) the name of the diver’s tender, if any;

  • (f) the signature of the diver and the dive supervisor; and

  • (g) the breathing mixture used, if other than air.

• (3) The record referred to in subsection (1) shall also contain, for each type 1 dive,

  • (a) the total elapsed time, measured in minutes, from the time the diver leaves the surface to the time the diver begins final ascent, rounded to the next whole minute;

  • (b) the maximum depth reached; and

  • (c) any unusual incident or condition, including emergency decompression time.

• (4) The record referred to in subsection (1) shall also contain, for each type 2 dive,

  • (a) the type of diving equipment used;

  • (b) the time the diver leaves the surface;

  • (c) the maximum depth reached;

  • (d) the time the diver begins final ascent;

  • (e) the time the diver reaches the surface;

  • (f) the decompression schedule used, if any; and

  • (g) any unusual incident or condition.

• (5) The employer shall keep the record referred to in subsection (1) for a period of 12 months after the date of the dive.

• 18.39 (1) Every employer shall keep a dated dive record for each diver that shall include

  • (a) the year in which the dive occurs;

  • (b) the maximum depth reached;

  • (c) the total elapsed time, measured in minutes, from the time the diver leaves the surface to the time the diver begins final ascent, rounded to the next whole minute;

  • (d) the breathing mixture used, if other than air;

  • (e) any unusual incident or condition;

  • (f) any occurrence reported pursuant to subsection 18.37(1); and

  • (g) a copy of any record referred to in subsection 18.37(2).

• (2) The employer shall annually supply the record referred to in subsection (1) to the diver and keep a copy for a period of five years after the date on which the diver ceases to be employed by the employer.

18.40 Every employer shall keep a record of all diver instruction and training received and all competency demonstrations given pursuant to section 18.5, for as long as the employee is employed by the employer as a diver.

18.41 Every employer shall keep a record of each air quality test performed in accordance with section 18.24 for a period of five years after the day on which the test was made.

18.42 Every employer shall keep a record of each equipment inspection, test, maintenance and calibration performed in accordance with paragraph 18.26(1)(b) for a period of five years after the day on which the inspection, test, maintenance or calibration was performed.

DIVISION IIType 2 Dives

Approach to Water Control and Intake Facilities

18.43 Underwater approaches to water control and intake facilities where underwater pressure differentials may be encountered shall be made in accordance with sections 18.44 to 18.46.

18.44 Every employer shall ensure that a diver working near a facility referred to in section 18.43 wears a lifeline tended from a position outside the approach area.

18.45 Every employer shall ensure that any diver required to approach an underwater intake pipe, tunnel or duct is provided with the means to differentiate the intake from any other similar intake in the dive area.

• 18.46 (1) Subject to subsection (2), every employer shall ensure that

  • (a) a diver is not allowed to approach any underwater intake or structure where underwater pressure differentials may be encountered until the flow of water is stopped or controlled; and

  • (b) the flow of water is not re-established until the diver leaves the water or until the dive supervisor has determined that the diver is clear of the approach area referred to in paragraph (a).

• (2) Where the flow of water referred to in subsection (1) cannot be stopped, the employer shall assess the safety of a diver approaching the intake by determining flow patterns using reliable indicators, direct measurements or calculations.