Overview

This section includes information about possible ways to achieve compliance for requirements in diving operations under the Occupational Health and Safety Act, such as:

  • diving supervisor competency
  • standby divers
  • hydrostatic testing of compressed gas cylinders
  • emergency communication

It does not represent the exhaustive measures and procedures required by the Occupational Health and Safety Act and its regulations related to diving operations.

This resource does not replace the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) and its regulations and should not be used as or considered legal advice. Health and safety inspectors apply and enforce these laws based on the facts they find in the workplace.

Program positions discussed relate to sections 12 to 18, 25 to 31, and 36 to 38 of the diving regulation: O. Reg. 629/94.

Diving supervisor competency

Issue:

How can a diving supervisor provide verification to an inspector that they meet the competency standard?

Position:

A diving supervisor is required to have proof of training at a dive site for an inspector (subsection 12(1) of O. Reg. 624/94). To be considered competent a diving supervisor must have completed training that meets the requirements applicable to the type of diving operation being supervised, as found in CSA Standard Z275.4-12 “Competency Standard for diving, hyperbaric chamber, and remotely operated vehicle operations” (see section 4.1(2)).

Diver Certification Board of Canada (DCBC) cards, indicating the type of diving supervisor (SCUBA, surface supply, restricted, unrestricted) should be available to an inspector to prove competency.

In the case a DCBC card is unavailable, find schools that provide training that meet the CSA Standard.

Adequately dressed standby diver

Issue:

What is meant by “adequately dressed” when applied to a standby diver?

Position:

A standby diver may not need to be wearing a conventional diving suit, especially during the heat of the summer. During winter or cooler weather, a conventional dive suit should be worn and a heated facility such as a tent or vehicle should be provided.

The appropriate state of dress of the standby diver will depend on factors such as the depth of dive, water temperature, and air temperature. In general, the deeper the dive, the colder the water and higher the state of preparedness regardless of ambient surface influences such as air temperature. A way to keep the standby diver cool or warm, is required in these conditions (refer to clause 17(2)(d)).

Standby diver’s duties

Issue:

What are the limited duties a standby driver can perform while working at a dive operation?

Position:

Standby divers must communicate with the diver by radio or umbilical signals. The standby diver may tend the diver’s umbilical if the hazards of entrapment, fast water, falling underwater, confined space entry or any other immediate hazard to the diver is not present. The standby diver must always be at the dive site and be prepared to enter the water immediately in the event of an emergency to the diver. The standby diver may also carry out the duties of the diving supervisor.

Subsection 13(9) outlines the duties of a standby diver.

Hydrostatic testing of compressed gas cylinders

Issue:

How would one determine whether SCUBA tanks (and gas cylinders used in diving operations) are compliant with CSA Z275.2-11, Occupational Safety Code for Diving Operations?

Position:

Portable compressed gas cylinders and SCUBA tanks are to be hydrostatically tested every five years as per CSA Standard Z275.2-11 (referenced in subsection 15(5) of the regulation). Permanently installed compressed gas cylinders must be hydrostatically tested every ten years. All compressed gas cylinders must have the test date stamped on the tank.

Two-way emergency communication from a dive site

Issue:

What is acceptable emergency two-way communication equipment at a dive site?

Position:

Effective two-way communications, such as a cellular telephone or marine radio satellite telephone, must be available to immediately connect the dive site to emergency services. This must be a part of contingency planning (see subsection 7(3)).

Compressor use for supplying breathing air

Issue:

Will the ministry accept the use of compressors (including those lubricated by oil) to supply breathing air to divers?

Position:

Yes, compressors, including those lubricated by oil, are permitted to be used to supply breathing air at a dive operation.

Any compressor being used to supply a breathing mixture to a diver must meet CSA Standard Z275.2-11. This is a requirement of O. Reg. 624/94 section 30.

The breathing mixture must also meet the indications of CSA Standard Z275.2-11. Testing requirements are also outlined by the standard.

Power tool use and SCUBA (self-contained underwater breathing apparatus)

Issue:

Can divers using SCUBA operate electric battery powered hand tools?

Position:

No, divers using SCUBA are prohibited from using all types of power tools, regardless of how they are powered. This includes aquarium divers using SCUBA.

Clause 36(1)(d) of O. Reg. 624/94 requires the diving supervisor to ensure that power tools are not used by divers employing SCUBA.

Lift bag use and SCUBA

Issue:

Can divers using SCUBA use inflatable lift bags?

Position:

No, divers using SCUBA are prohibited from using all types of hoisting devices. This includes inflatable lift bags (air bags) as they are a type of hoisting device.

Clause 36(1)(d) of O. Reg. 624/94 forbids the use of hoisting devices by SCUBA divers.