PM-16.

0 Diving Operations

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 Table of Contents
16.1 Purpose

16.2 Scope

16.3 Duties, Roles and Responsibilities

16.3.1 The client responsibilities

16.3.2 The diving contractor’s responsibilities
16.3.3 The diving supervisor responsibilities
16.3.4 The diver responsibilities

16.4 Qualifications, Competence and Training of Drivers

16.5 Medical Fitness of Diver

16.5.1 Certificate of Medical Fitness to Dive

16.6 Decompression Illness after Diving

16.6.1 Air Decompression Policy

16.7 Work Planning

16.7.1 Safe Practice Manual

16.7.2 Pre-dive procedures

[Link] Approvals/Prohibitions
[Link].1 Approvals
[Link].2 Prohibitions
[Link] Emergency aid
[Link] Launch and Recovery Procedures
[Link] First aid supplies
[Link] Planning and assessment
[Link] Hazardous activities
[Link] Employee briefing
[Link] Equipment inspection
[Link] Warning signal
[Link] Diving Team

16.7.3 Procedures during dive

[Link] Diving Work Permit

[Link].1 Authorization of Work Permit
[Link].2 Permit Book
[Link].3 Permit Book Purchase
[Link].4 Withdrawal/suspension of work permits

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 [Link].5 Completion of work/Closure of work permits
[Link] Water entry and exit
[Link] Communications
[Link] Decompression tables
[Link] Dive profiles
[Link] Hand-held power tools and equipment
[Link] Welding and burning
[Link] Termination of dive

16.7.4 Post-dive procedures

[Link] Precautions
[Link] Recompression capability
[Link] Availability of compression chambers
[Link] Diving records

16.8 Diving Process

16.8.1 Surface-supplied air diving

[Link] Procedures

16.8.2 Mixed-gas diving

[Link] Procedures

16.9 Risk Management Process

16.9.1 Risk Assessment

16.9.2 Five Steps to Risk Assessment
16.9.3 Job Safety Analysis (JSA)
16.9.4 Revising the JSA
16.9.5 Potential Hazards
16.9.6 Recommend Safe Procedures and Protection
16.9.7 Assign Responsibility
16.9.8 Personnel Involved
16.9.9 Environmental Considerations

16.10 Equipment service and maintenance

16.10.1 General
16.10.2 Air compressor system
16.10.3 Breathing-gas supply hoses
16.10.4 Buoyancy control
16.10.5 Compressed gas cylinders
16.10.6 Decompression chambers
16.10.7 Gauges and timekeeping devices
16.10.8 Masks and helmets
16.10.9 Oxygen safety
16.10.10 Weights and harnesses

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 16.11 Emergency and Contingency Plans

16.11.1 Emergency Plans

16.11.2 Contingency Plan

16.12 Accident Reporting

16.12.1 General Requirements`

16.12.2 Duty to Notify
16.12.3 Investigation of Accidents
16.12.4 Accident/Incident Records
16.12.5 EHS Inspections

16.13 References

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 16.1 Purpose

To provide guidance to be followed when contracting and / or approving commercial diving

operations to take place within PCFC Ports’ waters and ensure compliance with Local and
international standards and requirements.

16.2 Scope

1. Diving is One of the most strenuous activities in ship repair which requires special skills and
Hazards and Risk are greater and requires proper and constant supervision also Demands
physically and mentally fit to carry out the activity

2. This Regulation applies to all types of underwater work within port limits involving commercial
diving.

3. These regulations are applicable to all diving companies entering, using or making use of
facilities belonging to Dubai World. Neither non-possession nor ignorance of these regulations
will be considered a reason of non-imposition of a penalty for violation of these regulations.

4. The Competent Department (EHS) is empowered to enforce these regulations to ensure safe
and efficient operation within Dubai world premises.

5. Nothing in these Regulations shall be construed as over-riding or contradicting to:

 The Laws of the UAE

 The provisions of international, national or regional regulations as applicable.

 The Trakhees EHS reserves the right at any time, to alter, change or amend any or all of
the provisions contained in these regulations with or without prior notice. The revised EHS
regulations supersede earlier issued EHS Regulations. The responsibility for compliance
is placed upon “employers” and “employees” as defined in these regulations.

 Relevant international Regulations & Guidelines such as IMCA, ADCI, Health & Safety
Executive (HSE), OSHA, NFPA, IMO, standards will be the baseline/ reference line for
any requirements that have not been referred in this booklet.

6. Without limiting the actions of the competent department in the protection of Health, Safety &
Environment, the competent department is empowered to

 Issue appropriate enabling regulations, guidelines and codes of practice for the safe
conduct of work and also to amend them where situation & context warrant inducing
compliance.
 Inspect all work places, take samples or photographs and issue directions/instructions to
ensure compliance with Health, Safety and Environmental requirements

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  Issue Correction notices/Warning letters and/or Penalties were deemed required.
 Prepare and execute education/training/awareness programs and / or recommend
programs in Health & Safety
 Advise Local/Federal Government Departments (where applicable) on status of non-
compliant companies/licensees to enable necessary actions

7. All Diving companies have the right to choose the convenient diving association for them to
become a member in it along with their staff, which they deem appropriate for their business,
preferably

 The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA)

 ASSOCIATION OF DIVING CONTRACTORS INTERNATIONAL (ADCI)

8. This Code for Commercial Diving and Underwater Operations will be effective from 1 st of
March 2017.

16.3 Duties, Roles and Responsibilities

1. It is a duty of any person, including the managers of diving companies, who has responsibility
for or control over a diving operation to ensure that diving is reasonably practicable, safe and
is carried out in a safe and healthy manner.

2. The following summarizes the responsibilities of various parties directly involved in an

industrial diving operation, diving contractor, diving supervisor and diver who are required to
comply with the duty imposed.

16.3.1 The client responsibilities

1. Agreeing to provide facilities and extend all reasonable support to the diving
supervisor or contractor in the event of an emergency. Details of the matters
agreed should form part of the planning for the project;

2. Considering whether any underwater or above-water items of the plant or

equipment under their control may cause a hazard to the diving team. Such
items include:

3. Vessel/floating structure propellers and anchor wires

4. Underwater obstructions

5. Pipeline systems under pressure test or with a pressure lower than the
pressure at the diver work location

6. Subsea facilities

7. Water intakes or discharge points causing suction or turbulence

8. Gas flare mechanisms that may activate without warning

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 9. Equipment liable to start operating automatically

10. Appropriate isolations and barriers (mechanical, electrical, optical, hydraulic,

instrumentation isolations and barriers)

11. The diving contractor will need to be informed of the location and exact
operational details of such items in writing and in sufficient time to account
for them in the risk assessments;

12. Ensuring that sufficient time and facilities are made available to the diving
contractor at the commencement of the project in order to carry out all
necessary site-specific safety and familiarization training;
13. Ensuring that other activities in the vicinity do not affect the safety of the
diving operation. They may, for example, need to arrange for the suspension
of supply boat unloading, overhead scaffolding work, bunkering etc.;

14. Ensuring that a formal control system, for example, a permit-to-work system,
exists between the diving team, the installation manager, Port’s safety officer
and/or the master;

15. Providing the diving contractor with details of any possible substance likely to
be encountered by the diving team that would be a hazard to their health,
e.g. drill cuttings on the seabed. They will also need to provide relevant risk
assessments for these substances. This information should be provided in
writing and in sufficient time to allow the diving contractor to carry out the
relevant risk assessments;

16. Providing the diving contractor with information about any impressed current
system on the work site or in the vicinity and details of the system. This
information should be provided in writing and in sufficient time to allow the
diving contractor to carry out the relevant risk assessments;

17. Keeping the diving supervisor informed of any changes that may affect the
diving operation, e.g. vessel movements, deteriorating weather etc.

16.3.2 The diving contractor’s responsibilities

1. A diving project plan;

2. An overall quality management system which includes a safety management

system;

3. Appropriate insurance policies ensuring full compensation for divers involving

accidents at work;

4. Risk assessments for mobilization/demobilization, the operation of the

equipment and work tasks to be undertaken and the contingency/ emergency
plans;

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 5. A management of change procedure;

6. A safe and suitable place from which operations are to be carried out;

7. The diving contractor shall ensure that there are sufficient people with
suitable

8. Competence to carry out safely and without risk to health both the diving
project and any action (including the giving of first-aid) which may be
necessary in the event of a reasonably foreseeable emergency connected
with the diving project.

9. Suitable plant and equipment supplied, audited and certified in accordance

with the relevant IMCA or ADCI documents, and including equipment
supplied by diving personnel;

10. Plant and equipment correctly and properly maintained;

11. A suitable plan which includes emergency and contingency plans;

12. Sufficient personnel of the required grades in the diving team;

13. Personnel holding valid medical and training certificates and qualified and

14. competent in accordance with the IMCA or ADCI Training, Certification &
Personnel
15. Competence tables;

16. Suitable site-specific safety and familiarization training provided to all

members of the dive team;

17. Adequate arrangements to ensure that the supervisor and dive team are fully

18. briefed on the project and aware of the content of the diving project plan and
the dive plan;

19. Project records kept of all relevant details of the project, including all diving

20. operations;

21. A procedure for near-miss and incidents/accidents reporting, investigation

and follow-up;

22. Adequate arrangements for first aid and medical treatment of personnel;

23. Clear reporting and responsibility structure laid out in writing;

24. Diving supervisors appointed in writing and the extent of their control
documented;

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 25. The latest approved version of the diving contractor documents and plans at
the work site and being used;

26. All relevant regulations/standards complied with as mentioned earlier, such

as this code and IMCA or ADCI.

16.3.3 The diving supervisor responsibilities

1. They should satisfy themselves that they are competent to carry out this
work and that they understand their own areas and levels of responsibility
and who is responsible for any other relevant areas. Such responsibilities
should be contained in the relevant documentation.

2. They should also ensure that they are in possession of a letter from the
diving contractor appointing them as a diving supervisor. Have adequate
knowledge, training and familiarization with all life-support and ancillary
equipment designated to the diving operations.

3. Be fully cognizant of all relevant governmental regulatory agency regulations

that apply to the diving operation and the diving mode employed, and the
employer’s basic safe practices/operations manual. See that all rules and
regulations are followed.

4. They will need to make sure that the personnel they are to supervise are
competent to carry out the work required of them. They should also check,
as far as they are reasonably able, that these personnel are fit and in
possession of a valid medical certificate of fitness;

5. While actually on duty, be in immediate control and available to implement

emergency procedures. The diving supervisor is not permitted to dive unless
another qualified diver is present who has also been appointed and
designated to assume responsibility.

6. The diving supervisor must also ensure, prior to commencing a diving

operation, in addition to parties directly involved in the diving operation that
masters of craft, pilots

7. of submersibles, harbour masters, managers of off shore installations,

pipelines,
8. Civil engineering sites, inland waterways, and all persons responsible for
anything that affects the diving operation are advised that diving or
underwater operations are to be undertaken.

9. They will need to check that the equipment they propose to use for any
particular operation is adequate, safe, properly certified and maintained.
They can do this by confirming that the equipment meets the requirements
set down in this code. They should ensure that the equipment is adequately
checked by themselves or another competent person prior to its use. Such

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 checks should be documented, for example, on a pre-prepared checklist,
and recorded in the operations log for the project;

10. They will need to ensure that all possible foreseeable hazards have been
evaluated and are fully understood by all relevant parties and that, if
required, training is given. In addition, prior to commencement of a project an
on-site job safety analysis (JSA) needs to be carried out. If the situation has
changed, further risk assessment and management of change will need to be
undertaken. They will need to ensure that the operation they are being asked
to supervise complies with the requirements of this code and IMCA or ADCI
code.

11. Personally inquire if all personnel on the dive team are qualified and
physically able to perform tasks assigned. Make an assessment of the
physical condition of the divers prior to each dive to determine if any physical
impairment is present that would be detrimental to the diver’s health and
safety in the water or under hyperbaric conditions.

12. They will need to establish that all involved parties are aware that a diving
operation is going to start or continue. They will also need to obtain any
necessary permission before starting or continuing the operation, normally
via a permit-to-work system from port's safety officer

13. The supervisor will need to have clear audible and, if possible, visual
communications with any personnel under their supervision. For example, a
supervisor will be able to control the raising and lowering of a diving bell
adequately if there is a direct audio link with the winch operator, even though
the winch may be physically located where the supervisor cannot see it nor
have ready access to it.

14. Ensure diving operations are carried out from a suitable and safe location on
the surface

15. The supervisor will need to have direct communications with any diver in the
water at all times, even if another person needs to talk to, or listen to the
diver

16. Be aware of the procedures to follow to obtain medical support in the event
of an accident, either diving or non-diving related. Ensure a two-way
communication system is available at the dive location to obtain emergency
assistance.

17. Develop or modify and produce pre- and post-dive checklists for the
operation.

18. Ensuring that proper records of the diving operations are maintained.

16.3.4 The Diver’s responsibilities:

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 1. Inform the diving supervisor if there is any medical or other reason why they
cannot dive.

2. Ensure that their personal diving equipment is working correctly and is

suitable for the planned dive;

3. Ensure that they fully understand the dive plan and is competent to carry out
the planned task;

4. Comply with all commands and instructions from the diving supervisor or
designated diving person in charge (DPIC) during the conduct of diving
operations.

5. know the routine and emergency procedures;

6. Ensure that the deepest depth attained during the dive has been established
before the ascent.

7. Safely transition from the water to the decompression chamber without

avoidable delay.

8. Report any equipment faults, other potential hazards, near misses or

accidents;

9. Report any medical problems or symptoms that they experience during or

after the dive;

10. Check and put away personal diving equipment after use;

11. Keep their logbooks up to date and presenting it for signing by the diving
supervisor after each dive.

12. Maintain a high level of physical fitness.

13. Act as a standby diver or tender when directed to do so. Be capable and
qualified to carry out all of the duties and responsibilities of the diver as set
forth above. (The standby diver is the individual possessing the required
training and experience to enter the water at the diving station in order to
render assistance to a stricken diver).

16.4 Qualifications, Competence and Training of Divers

1. Basically, any diver (including standby diver and extra diver) or other diving team
member who is competent to take part in an industrial diving operation should have
the training and experience necessary to perform the assigned task in a safe
manner. Regarding competence to dive in a particular diving mode, a diver should
have training and experience in various aspects of the respective mode, specified in

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 IMCA or ADCI codes. Documentary proof of competence can be a certificate,
obtained by training or assessment of experience up to international standard.

2. The training and experience in general terms should include:

 Technique of the required diving mode;

 The assigned underwater work;
 The use of tools, equipment and system relevant to the assigned task; and
 Safe practices and emergency procedures.

3. Member companies of the ADCI or IMCA employ persons to perform as certified

commercial divers in the following categories:

 Entry-level tender/diver.
 Air diver.
 Mixed-gas diver.
 Bell /Saturation diver.
 Air-diving supervisor.
 Mixed-gas diving supervisor.
 Bell /Saturation-diving supervisor.
 Bell /Saturation technician.
 Life-support technician.
 Deck crew/Riggers.

4. Competence is not the same as qualification. A person who has a particular

qualification, such as a diver training certificate, should have a certain level of
competence in that area but the diving contractor and the diving supervisor will need
to make sure that the person has the detailed competence necessary to do the
specific task required during the particular diving operation.

5. The different members of the diving team will require different levels and types of
competence and qualifications as mentioned in ADCI or IMCA codes.

6. Diplomas issued by a civilian or military educational organization are for the purpose
of attesting that an individual has received the necessary basic formal training to
enter a vocational field. Such instruments should not be used to verify that the
graduate can perform in the field without further on-the-job training and experience
with actual demonstration of competence

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 16.5 Medical Fitness of Diver

16.5.1 Certificate of Medical Fitness to Dive

1. In general any person, who is likely to be subjected to pressure greater than

atmosphere, must be medically fit. A diver must be medically examined and
should be in possession of a Certificate of Medical Fitness to Dive. A valid
Certificate of Medical Fitness to Dive should be issued by a medical practitioner
must be with special experience in underwater or occupational medicine.

2. The certificate of medical fitness to dive is a statement of the diver’s fitness to

perform work under water and is valid for as long as the doctor certifies, up to a
maximum of 12 months.

3. The certificate should contain the details specified in IMCA or ADCI codes and
should be entered into the Diver's Log Book. A new certificate of fitness should
be obtained if the diver has been sick for a continuous period of 10 days or more,
or requires hospitalization of 72 hours or more.

4. It is very important that a diver should be physically and psychologically fit before
commencing a diving operation. Diving should not be undertaken if the person is
suffering from any illness.

5. A minimum amount of medical equipment will need to be at a diving site to

provide first aid and medical treatment for the dive team. First aid kits should be
held in the diving bell, chambers and hyperbaric rescue facility. In addition
specialized medical equipment needs to be held at the dive site. The minimum
amount will depend on the type of diving, but a standard list has been agreed in
ADCI or IMCA codes

16.6 Decompression Illness after Diving

1. Divers are at risk of decompression illness (DCI) after diving. It is difficult to treat
decompression illness if recompression facilities are not immediately available.
The diving project plan will therefore need to specify that divers remain close to
suitable recompression facilities for a set time following a dive.

16.6.1 Air Decompression Policy

1. It is the Port policy not to plan or perform decompression diving. No exceptional

exposure diving will be planned. If an emergency situation occurs where the no-
decompression limit is exceeded due to entrapment, entanglement or timing
device failure, in-water decompression is permitted to avoid injury to the diver.
Standard Decompression. Tables shall be used to calculate decompression depths
and times. Normal diving procedures shall be conducted in the Unlimited /No-
Decompression. Repetitive diving procedures will be followed carefully; each diver
shall always know his repetitive group and last time of reached surface, so that

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 surface intervals can be quickly determined for daily dive planning. The dive team
supervisor shall ensure that all divers are trained on the use of standard and
repetitive diving procedures.

2. For dives that are shallower than 10 metres with planned in-water decompression
not exceeding 20 minutes, all diving companies must have a decompression
chamber available in Dubai for any emergency, but for example if two diving
companies share in one decompression chamber, so in case of illness (DCI) of
any diver, EHS has the right to cease the diving activity for both companies until
the patient is treated.

3. Any diver showing signs or symptoms that cannot be attributed to any other cause
must be treated for decompression sickness. Unless the treatment is taken care of
by a medical specialist, the diving medic is responsible for carrying out first aid and
treatment work, and where necessary should consult the diving contractor's
medical adviser.

16.7 Work Planning

16.7.1 Safe Practice Manual

1. This standard requires that the employer develop and maintain a safe practices
manual that includes information and procedures relating to the safety and health
of the dive-team members. The manual must contain a copy of the commercial
diving operations standard and a statement of the employer’s policy for ensuring
compliance with the standard. The manual must be at the dive location and
available to all dive-team members.

2. The safe practices manual must provide a written operational procedure for each
diving mode used by the employer. EHS shall review the manual to determine if it
contains safety procedures and checklists for diving operations, assignments and
responsibilities of the dive-team members, equipment procedures and checklists,
and emergency procedures (at a minimum: fire, equipment malfunction or failure,
adverse environmental conditions, and medical illness and injury). The safe
practices manual guidance and procedures must be supplemented with additional
information specific to each diving operation.

3. The manual should consist of documents such as:

 Dive site description

 Diving mode selection
 Surface and underwater conditions and hazard analysis
 Air supply requirements
 Diving equipment, systems and required support equipment
 Dive team assignments and responsibilities
 No-Decompression limits
 Emergency procedures (accident/near-accident and incident notification, reporting
and investigation procedures)

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  Evacuation procedures and recompression treatment procedures
 A management of change procedure
 Adverse weather working policy
 Diving/operating/maintenance procedures
 Mobilization/demobilization plans
 Step-by-step work procedures
 Contractors manuals (submitted one time only) and documentation
 Code, standards and reference documents
 Communication and responsibility organigrams
 Equipment audit reports and certification
 Permits-to-work
 Minimum gas/breathing mixture requirements
 Any location-specific hazards identified by the client
 Suitable emergency and contingency plans, including: lost bell recovery; rescue of
divers from a habitat; and hyperbaric evacuation for surface orientated and
saturation diving operations. These should be agreed by all relevant parties Prior
to commencement of the project a safety management system interface document
should be in place, which reflects and defines the safety management interface
between client, diving contractor, sub-contractors and third parties. The document
should include the relevant documentation and management systems of all parties
involved as well as the responsibilities, communication protocol, emergency
response, operational procedures and practices for managing health and safety
during the project.

16.7.2 Pre-dive procedures

1. The provisions of this section must be followed by the employer for all diving modes,
with the designated person-in-charge responsible for overall compliance with these
provisions and briefing dive-team members.

[Link] Approvals/Prohibitions

[Link].1 Approvals

1. Prior to the commencement of any diving operation within

PCFC – Trakhees ports limit, written permission shall be
obtained from the EHS department, DPW Harbour Master
office and other concerned DP World departments.

[Link].2 Prohibitions

1. Diving operations shall not be undertaken in areas designated

as prohibited, restricted unless duly authorized by EHS
department. Details of prohibited diving areas shall be
obtained from PCFC – Trakhees Ports Harbour master office.

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 2. Night time diving work/ operations or activities is not permitted
without prior permission from the EHS and other concerned
DPW departments.

[Link] Emergency aid

1. Diving Supervisor shall determine whether the emergency aid list is complete and is
available to all dive-team members. This list must contain the telephone or call
numbers of: the nearest operational decompression chamber (if a chamber is not
required at the dive location); accessible hospital(s); the available physician(s); the
means of transportation available for use in the event of an emergency; and the
nearest DCD Coordination Centre.

[Link] Launch and Recovery Procedures

1. A diving contractor should ensure that the launch and recovery system(s) used for
diving operations have been tested and certified by a competent person.

2. It is the responsibility of the diving supervisor to ensure that a safe launch/recovery

procedure exists that is understood by all members of both the diving and the
support installation crews.

3. The procedure should progress in smooth, logical steps and be designed so that
all personnel involved in the operation are fully aware of the situation at all times.

[Link] First aid supplies

1. Diving Supervisor shall determine whether a first-aid kit is available at the dive location.
The first-aid kit provided at the dive location must be appropriate for the diving
operations, and approved by a physician. If it is to be used in a pressure chamber,
such as a decompression chamber or a diving bell, the first-aid kit must be suitable for
use under hyperbaric conditions because some items in a standard kit (such as bottles
of liquid, mercury thermometers, or ammonia ampoules) may burst under pressure. A
bag-type resuscitator with a transparent hose and mask (so that the operator can see
that the diver’s air passages are clear).

[Link] Planning and assessment

1. This provision requires the employer to include in the planning of a diving operation an
assessment of the safety and health features of the diving mode, surface and
underwater conditions and hazards, primary and reserve breathing-gas supply, thermal
protection, diving equipment and systems, dive-team assignments and the physical
fitness of dive-team members (including any impairments known to the employer),
repetitive dive designation or residual inert-gas status of divers, decompression
chamber procedures (including any altitude corrections), and emergency procedures.
The employer typically assigns this planning task to the designated person-in-charge.
While conducting the planning and assessment, the employer must consider all
hazards involved and ensure compliance with other standards

Rev 00 May 2017 Page 16 of 37

 [Link] Hazardous activities

Hazards encountered during diving operations such as weather, water temperature,

current, and bottom conditions must be recognized and taken into account during the
planning and execution of the operation. When other operations being conducted in the
vicinity (such as dredging, marine traffic, or movement of materials directly above the
dive location and/or area of the dive) are likely to interfere with the diving operation, the
diving supervisor shall plan the operation only after appropriate coordination with
persons responsible for the other activities so that any hazard exposures to the diver(s)
or other dive-team members will be eliminated. Failure to plan for such conditions, or to
coordinate activities, shall be a basis for a citation.

[Link] Employee briefing

The employee briefing is usually conducted by the diving supervisor just prior to the
diver(s) entering the water. The dive-team members shall be briefed on the tasks to be
undertaken, safety procedures for the diving mode, any unusual hazards or
environmental conditions likely to affect the safety of the diving operation, and any
modifications to operating procedures necessitated by the specific diving operation.
The diving supervisor also must advise the dive-team members of the procedures for
reporting physical problems or adverse physiological effects during and after the dive. It
is particularly important that the designated person-in-charge inquire into each dive-
team member’s current state of physical fitness before making assignments.

[Link] Equipment inspection

1. The equipment-inspection requirement prior to each dive relates directly to the

equipment-checklist requirement in the safe practices manual. The breathing-supply
system, including reserve breathing-gas supplies, masks, helmets, thermal protection,
and diving bell-handling mechanisms (when appropriate) must be inspected prior to
each diving operation. Pre-dive equipment inspection items are those that are critical
for the safety of the dive operation. For surface-supplied diving, the breathing-supply
system equipment inspection includes diving umbilicals

[Link] Warning signal

The following paragraphs describe the two distinctions made in the requirements for
displaying the warning signal for commercial diving operations:

 Requires the warning signal to be displayed when diving from surfaces other
than vessels such as wharves, piers, pilings, jetties, fixed caissons, levees,
dikes, dams, breakwaters, and artificial islands (secured to the sea floor).

 The warning signal is a rigid replica of the international code Flag “A,” and
must be at least one meter (3΄-3½˝) in height (see Appendix F of this
instruction).

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 International Code Flag “A”: Alfa;
Diver below (when stationary);
Keep clear.

[Link] Diving Team

Dive team shall comprise of minimum (5) members namely one trained supervisor, one
trained dive medic, one dive tender, one standby diver and the diver performing the work.
Where, the diving work requires more divers in water, and then dive tenders shall be
increased accordingly.

16.7.3 Procedures during dive

[Link] Diving Work Permit

[Link].1 Authorization of Work Permit

A Permit to Work (PTW) system can only be authorized by an

Approved Signatories, as defined below;

1. “Issuing Authority”

Vessel Husbandry Jobs (Jebel Ali, Port Rashid, and Port Hamriya):
Master of the Ship if repair works in ports

For Diving Operation for Berth areas, Projects and Ship Yards:
Trakhees-EHS Approved Project Manager/Project Engineer/Safety
Officer.

2. “Performing Authority”- EHS approved Diving Supervisor

3. “Competent Authority”- Representatives from Trakhees-EHS Ports

Department.

4. No authorized signatory can sign for both the issuing authority and
the performing authority.

5. Work Permit Validity Period

6. Diving permit is valid for a period specified on the permit only.

However the maximum validity shall not extend more than 12
hours.

7. Prior to the commencement of any diving operation within PCFC –

Trakhees ports limit, written permission shall be obtained from the

Rev 00 May 2017 Page 18 of 37

 EHS department, DPW Harbour Master office and other concerned
DP World departments.

8. Night time diving work/ operations or activities is not permitted

without prior permission from the EHS and other concerned DPW
departments.

[Link].2 Permit Book

1. The permit shall be prepared in triplicate and distributed as follows:

Original (White) : Work Site/ Location of Work.

First copy (Pink) : Issuing Authority
Second copy (Blue) : Port Control/ Harbour Master/ Marine
department.

2. Each permit book contains 25 permits and each permit consists of

6 papers (including the colour copies for distribution).

[Link].3 Permit Book Purchase

1. EHS approved Diving Company shall purchase the permit book

from EHS. The steps to be followed for the permit book purchase
is as stated

• EHS approved Diving Company shall request to the EHS ports

and maritime section officer via e-mail ([Link]@[Link])
for generating the payment advice for the no of permit books
as required.
• EHS officer shall raise the payment advice and send to the
EHS approved Diving Company accordingly.
• Upon receipt of the payment advice, the Diving Company
representative shall proceed to payment counter at EHS Main
office at Jebel Ali and close out the payment and collect the
permit books form the cashier.

[Link].4 Withdrawal/suspension of work permits

1. This diving permit may be suspended, withdrawn or cancelled at the

sole discretion of PCFC – Trakhees – EHS & DPW Harbour Master.
Any dive work/ operations or activities found to breach any EHS or
Port related requirements may result in permit being suspended,
withdrawn and/or cancelled.

2. All Permits shall be suspended and Re- Issued in case the Vessel
Changes its Location.

3. New Diving Permit should be issued whenever there is more than

50% change in originally assigned diving crew.

Rev 00 May 2017 Page 19 of 37

 [Link].5 Completion of work/Closure of work permits

1. On completion of the work the Performing Authority shall withdraw his

men, material, machinery, clean the area and make the
equipment/area safe to commission the operation. Then he will sign
the permit requesting Issuing Authority to cancel/close the permit.

2. Issuing authority shall check equipment/area/site and ensure that the

maintenance/contractor personnel have left equipment/area/site in
safe condition and sign the permit as closed. The cancelled permit
shall be stored for record keeping for a retention period of 2 months

[Link] Water entry and exit

1. A means capable of supporting the diver (such as an in water stage or ladder) while entering
or exiting the water is required. If it is a fixed structure, such as a ladder, it must extend below
the water sufficiently to allow adequate diver access and support (a minimum of one meter is
recommended). Portable ladders should be secured to maintain stability and to prevent pinch
points. The employer also must provide a means for assisting an injured diver from the water
to the surface or into a diving bell (such as an in water stage, stokes basket, or harness).

[Link] Communications

1. Effective communications are essential to ensure that all personnel directly involved in
operations are made fully aware of the work being undertaken and that during operations all
parties are kept aware of the status of any unusual situation.

2. An operational two-way voice communication system is required for communications between

each surface-supplied air diver or mixed-gas diver and a member of the dive team at the dive
location. Also, an operational, two-way communication system (such as a cell phone, marine
radio, or e-mail) must be available for obtaining emergency aid.

3. Communications between the diving team and any other relevant personnel (such as marine
crew, DP operators, crane operator) are important for safe and efficient operation.

4. Effective communications are vital to the safety and success of any operation. To ensure this
the diving supervisor needs to be given access to the communications service of the vessel or
fixed/floating structure on which operations are based, as and when required.

5. If communications are lost, terminate the dive and use line pull signals for diver’s ascent to
surface.

6. All such communications will need to be recorded, and the recording kept for minimum 24
hours before being erased. If an incident occurs during the dive, or becomes apparent after
the dive the communication record will need to be retained until the investigation has been
completed.

Rev 00 May 2017 Page 20 of 37

 7. The diving craft, when and where used, shall be equipped with VHF radio (or) radio
communication equipment and a fully charged mobile number to maintain a continuous
manned listening watch on Port working channel while divers are in the water.

[Link] Decompression tables

1. This paragraph requires that decompression, repetitive, and no-decompression tables (as
appropriate) be available at the dive location. These tables serve as guides for determining
decompression and no-decompression profiles for the diving operation.

[Link] Dive profiles

1. A written record called a depth-time profile (including any breathing-gas changes, when
appropriate) must be maintained for each diver during the dive, including decompression.
This record aids the diving supervisor (or the dive-team member managing the
decompression interval) in implementing the planned dive schedule and decompression
interval, and making necessary adjustments in the decompression schedule if changes occur
in planned bottom times or depths. The dive profile information may be recorded by whatever
means and in whatever form the employer prefers, provided that the information is maintained
accurately and completely.

[Link] Hand-held power tools and equipment

1. The standard does not require hand-held electric power tools used underwater to have a
pressure-sensitive manual control switch. However, when electrically powered hand-held
tools are used underwater, and the source of power is supplied from the dive location, the
hand-held power tool shall not be supplied with power until requested by the diver. When the
diver has finished work with the hand-held electric-power tool, the power to the tool will be de-
energized from the dive location

2. With respect to custom-made equipment or related installations which are designed,

fabricated for, and intended for use by a particular customer, if determined to be safe for its
intended use by the manufacturer on the basis of test data which the employer keeps and
makes available for inspection to the authority representatives.

[Link] Welding and burning

1. Where the dive work/ operations or activities involves use of naked flame, then hot work
permit and gas free certificate shall be obtained from EHS approved Survey Company prior to
the commencement of job.

2. A current supply switch must be available to interrupt the current flow to the welding or
burning electrode. The switch shall be tended by a dive-team member in voice
communication with the diver performing the welding or burning. The disconnect switch must
be in the open position unless the diver is actually welding or burning The diving supervisor
shall determine that the welding machine’s frame is properly grounded by means of solid,
metal-to-metal contact on all ship’s structure and/or shore ground connections . The ground
connection also may be checked with a meter. The diving supervisor also shall determine that

Rev 00 May 2017 Page 21 of 37

 the cables, electrode holders and connections are insulated to prevent overheating or
breakdown. The employer must provide insulated gloves for the diver’s protection

3. Prior to welding or burning on closed compartments, structures, or pipes that contain a

flammable vapour or in which a flammable vapour may be generated by the work, they shall
be vented, flooded, or purged with a mixture of gases that will not support combustion.
“Closed compartments” as used in this paragraph, means any space that is enclosed by
bulkheads and overheads (i.e., walls and ceilings), including large diameter pipes and other
structures that, because of poor ventilation, could hold or contain a flammable gas or vapour.
Prior to hot work, the employer must remove from closed compartments all flammable gases
and vapours by ventilating, flooding, or purging with an inert-gas that will not support
combustion. Venting alone is not sufficient unless it removes the flammable gases from the
compartments. Closed compartments, structures, and pipes already under flow, as in hot
tapping operations, meet the requirement for being flooded.

4. A flooded compartment is not necessarily safe for cutting and welding. During the cutting and
welding process, oxygen (from the diver’s welding/cutting O2 supply hose), hydrogen
(electrolysis generated by the work process), and other gases may collect in the overhead of
a compartment, if it is not properly vented (made gas free). Should the diver cut or weld into
the area where the gas collects, then a serious explosion can occur. By properly venting the
space, gas will not collect and the space will remain flooded. When making vertical
cuts/welds, start high (shallow water depth) and finish low (deeper water depth).

[Link] Termination of dive

1. The diving supervisor is responsible for determining when a dive shall be terminated.
“Termination” means ending the working interval of a dive. However, it may still be necessary
to complete the decompression procedures (when required). The working interval of a dive
must be terminated when: the diver so requests; the diver fails to respond correctly to
instructions from the dive team (indicating a possible disability of the diver or an equipment
failure); communications with the diver are lost and cannot quickly be re-established (either
between the diver and the dive location or diving bell, or between the diver and the
designated person-in-charge and the skipper of the support vessel for live boating
operations); or the diver begins to use the reserve breathing gas. Any of these situations
requires termination of the dive. The decompression interval should not be omitted after
termination of the dive if doing so would add to the diver’s overall physical risk, unless the
circumstances make in water decompression impossible or present a greater physical risk to
the diver.
2. Competent Authority has the right to Terminate the operation as deemed necessary during
the routine inspections

16.7.4 Post-dive procedures

[Link] Precautions

1. At the completion of a dive, the employer must: thoroughly check the physical condition of the
diver; instruct the diver to report any physical problems or adverse physiological reactions
(including decompression sickness symptoms); advise the diver of the location of the nearest
decompression chamber; and alert the diver to the hazards of flying too soon after the dive.

Rev 00 May 2017 Page 22 of 37

 2. As a general rule, a diver should wait 12 hours before flying for air diving not involving
decompression, and wait 24 hours for air dives involving decompression and all mixed-gas
diving. Decompression sickness effects can occur for some time after the completion of the
dive, and sleep can conceal the onset of decompression sickness. Consequently, after a dive
deeper than 100 fsw, a dive that requires decompression, or after any dive using a mixed-gas
breathing mixture, the employer is required to instruct the diver to remain awake and in the
vicinity of the decompression chamber at the dive location for at least one hour after the dive,
including one hour after any decompression or diving medical treatment (such as medical
treatment for decompression sickness or arterial gas embolism).

[Link] Recompression capability

1. Decompression chambers provide the only effective therapy (i.e., recompression) for
decompression sickness and arterial gas embolism. A decompression chamber also can
reduce a diver’s underwater exposure since chambers may be used to decompress the diver
on the surface (i.e., procedures known as “surface decompression on air” and “surface
decompression on oxygen”).

2. The decompression chamber must be dual-lock (i.e., having two compartments) so that
supplies and personnel may be transferred into and out of the main compartment. The
chamber also must be multi-place (i.e., the main compartment must be large enough for two
persons), and must be located and ready for use within 5 minutes of the diver’s exit from the
water.

3. The decompression chamber must be equipped with: a pressure gauge for each inner lock
and outer lock; a built-in breathing system (BIBS) with at least one mask for each chamber
occupant; two-way voice communication between the chamber occupant(s) and a dive-team
member at the dive location who is monitoring the decompression; a view port; and sufficient
illumination to observe the chamber occupant(s).

4. Treatment tables, oxygen or other appropriate treatment gas, and sufficient gas to pressurize
the decompression chamber during the treatment period must be available at the dive
location. In addition, a competent dive-team member must be available during the dive, and
for one hour afterward, to tend and operate the chamber.

5. For each dive in which decompression sickness is suspected or symptoms are evident, the
following additional information must be recorded and maintained: a description of
decompression sickness symptoms (including depth and time of onset); and a description of
treatment results. Employers shall maintain a log of recordable work-related injuries and
illnesses. The purpose of this requirement is to document recordable illnesses, including
incidents of decompression sickness, even when the initial symptoms include such
manifestations as skin itch, slight joint cramps, and slight numbness of the extremities.
Although seemingly innocuous, these symptoms are recognized and suspected as mild forms
of decompression sickness. Symptoms and treatments must be recorded similarly to any
other injury or illness.

[Link] Availability of compression chambers

1. For dives that are shallower than 10 metres with planned in-water decompression not
exceeding 20 minutes, the diving contractor should identify the nearest suitable operational

Rev 00 May 2017 Page 23 of 37

 two-person, two-compartment chamber. Under no circumstances should this be more than 6
hours travelling distance from the dive site;

2. For dives between 10 and 50 metres with planned in-water decompression not exceeding 20
minutes, the diving contractor should assess the risk of DCI and likelihood of a diver requiring
emergency recompression. This should be based on the depth and duration of the planned
dives. The assessment should also consider factors which may increase the risk of DCI such
as water temperature, type of work, and the number of dives/ascents. If the assessment
demonstrates a significant risk of DCI a suitable, operational, two-person, two-compartment
chamber should be provided for immediate use at the site of the diving project. If the
assessment demonstrates relatively low risk of DCI, the diving contractor should identify the
nearest suitable operational two-person, two-compartment chamber. Under no circumstances
should this be more than 6 hours travelling distance from the dive site;

3. For dives with planned in-water decompression stops greater than 20 minutes the diving
contractor should provide a suitable, operational, two-person, two-compartment chamber for
immediate use at the site of the diving project. The diver should be able to leave the water
quickly and easily and be pressurised within the chamber to the appropriate recompression
pressure as defined by the time in the decompression schedule being used. The controls of a
compression chamber should only be operated by people competent to do so. Such
competence will be achieved by a combination of training and experience. The degree of
supervision provided should reflect the experience of the operator.

[Link] Diving records

1. The record maintained for each diving operation must include: the names of the dive-team
members, including the designated person-in-charge; the date, time, and location of the dive;
the diving mode(s) used; a general description of the work performed; the approximate
underwater and surface conditions; and the maximum depth and bottom time for each diver.
The following additional information is required for dives outside the no-decompression limits,
deeper than 100 fsw, or using mixed-gas: depth-time and breathing-gas profiles;
decompression tables (including any modifications); and, for repetitive diving, the elapsed
time since the last pressure exposure (if less than 24 hours) or the repetitive dive designation
for each diver.

16.8 Diving Process

16.8.1 Surface-supplied air diving

[Link] Procedures

1. Each diver is required to be continuously tended while in the water.

2. When diving is conducted in enclosed or physically confining spaces,

another diver shall be stationed at the underwater point of entry. The
diver stationed at the underwater point of entry is required in addition to
any standby diver at the dive location.

Rev 00 May 2017 Page 24 of 37

 3. Requires each diving operation have a primary breathing-gas supply
that is sufficient to support divers for the duration of the planned dive,
including decompression.

4. For dives outside the no-decompression limits, each diver must: be

tended by a separate dive-team member; have a standby diver
available at the dive location while the diver is in the water; and have a
diver-carried reserve breathing-gas supply, except when heavy gear is
worn.

5. A reserve breathing-gas supply is required at the dive location for dives

outside the no-decompression limits. The reserve breathing-gas supply
required at the dive location must be on-line and ready for use, and its
source must be independent of the primary breathing-gas supply. The
reserve breathing-gas supply must be of sufficient quantity and
pressure to allow each diver to complete any planned decompression
schedule.

6. For surface-supplied air diving with heavy gear, outside the no-
decompression limits, an extra breathing-gas hose must be available to
the standby diver, and the hose must be capable of supplying
breathing gas to the diver in an emergency. Also, an in water stage
must be provided for the diver(s) in the water.

7. A diver-carried reserve breathing-gas supply must be provided to a

diver in the water when the diver is prevented by the configuration of
the dive area from ascending directly to the surface (i.e., when the
diver does not have “free access to the surface”), except when the
diver wears heavy gear or when the physical space does not permit the
use of such a breathing-gas supply. The diver-carried reserve must be
sufficient under operating conditions to allow the diver to reach the
surface, or another source of breathing gas, or to be reached by a
standby diver. Heavy-gear diving is exempted from these provisions
because the gear carries its own reserve.

8. For vessels without longitudinal (horizontal) stabilizers, “free access to

the surface” means that the diver is diving above the turn of the bilge;
for vessels with longitudinal stabilizers (usually found on military
combat vessels), “free access to the surface” means that the diver is
diving above the stabilizers.

16.8.2 Mixed-gas diving

[Link] Procedures

1. A separate dive-team member is required to tend each mixed-gas

diver in the water. A standby diver must be available while a diver(s)
is in the water.

Rev 00 May 2017 Page 25 of 37

 2. A separate tender must be assigned to each mixed-gas diver at all
times, and a standby diver must be available to assist the mixed-gas
diver(s) in the water. Therefore, for mixed-gas diving, a tender
cannot be a standby diver unless a qualified dive-team member is
available to assume the tender’s duties.

3. When diving is conducted in enclosed or physically confining

spaces, another diver must be stationed at the underwater point of
entry to assist in tending the diver in the space.

4. The diver stationed at the underwater point of entry is required in

addition to any standby diver at the dive location.

5. Require primary breathing-gas supply sufficient to support divers for

the duration of any planned dive, including decompression.

6. A reserve breathing-gas supply is required at the dive location for all

mixed-gas dives. The reserve breathing-gas supply required at the
dive location must be on-line and ready for use, and its source must
be independent of the primary breathing-gas supply. The reserve
breathing-gas supply must be of sufficient quantity and pressure to
allow each diver to complete any planned decompression schedule.

7. When a mixed-gas diver wearing heavy gear is in the water, an

extra breathing-gas hose must be available to the standby diver,
and the hose must be capable of supplying breathing-gas to the
diver in the water during an emergency. Also, an in water stage
must be provided for a diver wearing heavy gear.

8. An in water stage is required for divers who do not have access to a

diving bell for dives deeper than outside the no-decompression
limits.

9. When a closed diving bell is used, a dive-team member must be

available in the diving bell to tend the diver in the water.

10. A diver-carried reserve breathing-gas supply is required when diving

outside the no-decompression limits, or when the diver is prevented
by the configuration of the dive area from directly ascending to the
surface (i.e., when the diver does not have “free access to the
surface”), except when heavy gear is worn or when the physical
space does not permit the use of such a breathing-gas supply.

11. For vessels without longitudinal (horizontal) stabilizers, “free access

to the surface” means that the diver is diving above the turn of the
bilge; for vessels with longitudinal stabilizers (primarily found on
military combat vessels), “free access to the surface” means that the
diver is diving above the stabilizers.

16.9 Risk Management Process

Rev 00 May 2017 Page 26 of 37

 1. The diving contractor should have a risk management process in place which
addresses the project lifecycle and should include the following:

 Risk identification meetings prior commencement of the development of step by

step work procedures
 Final risk assessment when the step by step work procedures have been
finalized
 Risk assessments of mobilization/demobilization plans and the contingency and
emergency plan
 Mobilization and familiarization of the diving personnel
 A job safety analysis (JSA) should be completed prior to initiating the work
 A toolbox meeting should be held at the start of each shift or prior to any high-
risk operation
 Dive plan to be prepared used for each dive to brief the divers. It should contain
the tasks to be carried out, hazards, risks and precautions to be taken.

16.9.1 Risk Assessment

1. A Risk Assessment is technical approach to identifying significant

hazards; who is likely to be affected by those hazards; the risks
associated with the hazards; what measures you will take to control the
risks – thus reducing the harm to anyone during diving activities;
recording the precautions / procedures you have put in place. The
assessment needs to be reviewed periodically while the activity is on-
going or whenever there is a significant change

2. A risk assessment should include the initial risk evaluation and risk level
(e.g. high, medium, low) and, if required, further risk reducing measures
and the residual risk level. Based on the risk assessment the decision on
whether the work can go ahead safely and what precautions need to be
taken can be made. The risk assessment should also identify
onshore/offshore personnel responsible for ensuring the precautions
agreed during the risk assessment are carried out.

16.9.2 Five Steps to Risk Assessment

Step 1: Look for the hazards.

Step 2: Decide who might be harmed and how.
Step 3: Evaluate the risks. Decide whether existing precautions are
adequate or more should be done to lower the risk.
Step 4: Record your findings.
Step 5: Review your assessment and revise if necessary.

16.9.3 Job Safety Analysis (JSA)

1. The purpose of the JSA is to provide a written document identifying

hazards associated with each step of a job and develop solutions that
will reduce, eliminate or guard against hazards. On the JSA, sentences
should be short and simple.

Rev 00 May 2017 Page 27 of 37

 16.9.4 Revising the JSA

1. The JSA should be reviewed and updated whenever new equipment,

products or procedures are introduced into the work site. This is
especially true if an accident has occurred on a task upon which a JSA
has been performed.

16.9.5 Potential Hazards

1. Identify possible hazards associated with each step and list that hazard
opposite the job step.

2. Consider potential accident causes (strain, sprain, slip, fall, cut, crush,
etc.).

3. Consider environmental and health hazards (vapours, gasses, heat,

noise, toxicity, etc.).

16.9.6 Recommend Safe Procedures and Protection

1. Develop solutions for each potential hazard and list the solution opposite
the hazard.

2. Detail controls, e.g., ventilate, isolate, allow to cool, secure, guard, train,
etc.

3. List of personal protective equipment (PPE) required, e.g., gloves, eye

protection, respirators, fall protection, etc.

16.9.7 Assign Responsibility

1. Assign a specific person the responsibility of implementing the safety

procedures or protection required.

16.9.8 Personnel Involved

1. Identify the persons preparing, reviewing and approving the JSA.

2. Distribute the JSA to all personnel involved in the job or task and ensure that
each person is familiar with the contents of the JSA.

16.9.9 Environmental Considerations

1. The safe and efficient deployment and operation of divers is dependent upon
suitable environmental conditions. For any given situation the combination of
these conditions can be dramatically different and it is the responsibility of
the diving supervisor to assess all available information before deciding to
conduct, to continue or to finish diving operations.

Rev 00 May 2017 Page 28 of 37

 2. Each diving contractor should normally define clear environmental limits
(adverse weather working policy).

3. Diving supervisors should also ensure that they understand the implications
of any other limitations which apply to vessels/fixed and floating structures
and deployment systems.

16.10 Equipment service and maintenance

16.10.1 General

1. Every equipment modification, repair, test, calibration, or

maintenance service must be recorded in a log or by means of
a tagging system. The tag or log entry must include the date,
the type of work performed on the equipment, and the name or
initials of the person who performed the work. The CSHO shall
check to ensure that the employer has recorded the information
required by this provision. This information is used to determine
whether the equipment meets the requirements or is in need of
maintenance, testing, or replacement. These records (logs or
tags) must be kept by the employer until replaced by a
subsequent up-to-date record, or until the equipment is
withdrawn from service.

16.10.2 Air compressor system

1. Air compressor systems used to supply air to the diver must be

equipped with a volume tank (VT), a check valve on the inlet side
of the VT (to prevent loss of air if the compressor fails), a VT
pressure gauge, a VT relief valve (to prevent excessive pressure
build up), and a VT drain valve (to drain or “bleed” accumulated
moisture from the VT). In addition, the air compressor intakes
must be located away (upwind) from any internal combustion
engine exhaust or other contamination source to protect the
diver’s breathing air.

2. Generally, an upwind horizontal separation of at least twelve feet

should be maintained between the air compressor intake and the
engine exhaust. In addition, the air intake should be located at
least six feet above the ground, deck, or other low-lying area that
could collect contaminants that are heavier than air. Even if a
system is designed to keep the exhaust downwind of the intake
(e.g., floating, weather vanning system), these horizontal and
vertical distances should be maintained.

3. The employer is responsible for checking the output of the air

compressor system every 6 months to ensure that the diver’s
breathing air does not contain more than 20 ppm (parts per
million) by volume of carbon monoxide (CO), more than 1,000
ppm by volume of carbon dioxide (CO2), 5 milligrams per cubic

Rev 00 May 2017 Page 29 of 37

 meter of oil mist (except that non-oil-lubricated compressors
need not be tested for oil mist), or a pronounced or noxious
odour. EHS shall review and examine the records indicating the
results of such tests. EHS also shall check to ensure that the air
sample was taken at the connection to the distribution system
(manifold).

4. Compressors used with air-respiratory systems that are not

normally monitored, diving compressors are continually
monitored by the dive team and are not required to have CO and
high-temperature alarms.

16.10.3 Breathing-gas supply hoses

1. Each breathing-gas hose must have a working pressure at least

equal to the working pressure of the total breathing-gas system.
Therefore, a hose connected to the low-pressure or downstream
side of a regulating valve must meet the working pressure of that
part of the system. For instance, the hose working pressure does
not have to be equal to the pressure of the gas storage-bank
cylinders, but must be equal to the working pressure downstream
from the regulator. The working pressure rating of the hose
usually will be found on a decal or stencil with the manufacturer’s
name at regular intervals along the hose length.

2. Each breathing-gas supply hose shall have a rated bursting

pressure at least four times the maximum working pressure.
Each breathing-gas supply hose must be tested annually to at
least 1.5 times of its working pressure, and that the open ends of
a hose must be taped, capped, or plugged when the hose is in
storage or not in use to prevent foreign matter from
contaminating the hose.

3. Connectors for diver’s breathing-gas systems must be made of

corrosion-resistant material and have a rated working pressure
equal to the maximum working pressure of the hose to which
they are connected. Connectors must be resistant to accidental
disengagement.

4. Installation of cadmium-plated or other corrosion-resistant plated

fittings is acceptable and meets the requirements of “corrosion-
resistant” to the extent that the plating remains intact. However,
when the plating becomes worn and the parent metal becomes
pitted, the connector must be replaced.

5. Umbilicals must be marked in 10-foot increments from the diver

to 100 feet, and in 50-foot increments thereafter. Hoses in
umbilicals (i.e., breathing-gas hoses, hot water hoses, or other
hoses that carry air or liquids) must be kink resistant. The
breathing-gas hose in the umbilical also must meet other

Rev 00 May 2017 Page 30 of 37

 applicable hose requirements. The maximum allowable working
pressure of the umbilical breathing-gas hose can be calculated
by: subtracting the maximum depth (in psi) of the supply source
(surface or diving bell) from the maximum depth (in psi) of the
dive for which it will be used; and then adding 100 psi to this
figure.

16.10.4 Buoyancy control

1. The following equipment must have exhaust valves: helmets or

masks connected directly to a dry suit or other buoyancy-
changing equipment, and dry suits or other buoyancy-changing
equipment not directly connected to the helmet or mask. A
buoyancy compensator used for SCUBA diving must have an
inflation source separate from the breathing-gas supply. SCUBA
diving requires the use of a personal flotation device capable of
maintaining the diver at the surface in a face-up position; this
device also must be capable of oral inflation, have an exhaust
valve, and have a manually activated inflation source
independent of the breathing-gas supply.

16.10.5 Compressed gas cylinders

1. Employers must follow the OSHA standards for general industry

that regulate the design, construction, and maintenance of
compressed gas cylinders In addition, the cylinders must be
stored in a ventilated area away from excessive heat, and must
be secured from falling. When the cylinders are in use, they must
be equipped with a shut-off valve and a protective cap. The
protective cap is not required when the cylinders: are designed
with recessed shut-off valves, are connected to a manifold.

16.10.6 Decompression chambers

1. Decompression chamber shall be built and maintained in

accordance with the ASME Code, or an equivalent standard.

2. Decompression chambers must have: a means of maintaining

the atmosphere below 25 per cent oxygen by volume; noise
mufflers on the intake and exhaust lines (to facilitate
communication and to protect against hearing loss) that are
regularly inspected and maintained; suction guards on the
exhaust line openings; and a means for extinguishing fire.
Ignition sources and combustible material must be kept to a
minimum inside the chamber.

3. Appropriate means to maintain the oxygen level below 25 per

cent may include a ventilation system or an overboard dump
system. An overboard dump system exhausts the occupant’s
expired breathing gases from the built-in breathing system (BIBS)

Rev 00 May 2017 Page 31 of 37

 (used for breathing purposes inside a decompression chamber)
to prevent a build-up of oxygen inside the chamber above 25 per
cent by volume.

16.10.7 Gauges and timekeeping devices

1. To monitor a diver’s depth-time profile, a gauge indicating diver

depth that can be read at the dive location is required for all
dives. To maintain accuracy, each mechanical depth gauge must
be dead-weight tested or calibrated against a master gauge
every 6 months, and when a discrepancy larger than 2 per cent
of full scale occurs between any two equivalent gauges. Also, a
timekeeping device must be kept at the dive location for
recording time intervals during each dive to maintain an accurate
depth-time profile for each diver. For depth and pressure gauges
that are digital, employers must comply with the manufacturer’s
recommendations for verifying accuracy.

16.10.8 Masks and helmets

1. Surface-supplied air and mixed-gas masks and helmets must

have a non-return valve, that closes readily and positively, at the
attachment point between the helmet or mask and hose, as well
as an exhaust valve. Surface-supplied air and mixed-gas masks
and helmets must have a minimum ventilation rate capability of
4.5 acfm for any depth at which they are used, or the capability of
maintaining the diver’s inspired carbon dioxide partial pressure
below 0.02 ATA when the diver is producing carbon dioxide at a
rate of 1.6 standard litres per minute (LPM).

2. The purpose of this helmet and mask provision is to ensure that

breathing gas is supplied to the diver at a rate sufficient to meet
the breathing requirements of the diver, and to dilute or flush
exhaled breathing gas from the diver’s mask or helmet.
Employers to ensure that appropriate ventilation rate is
maintained during operational use.

16.10.9 Oxygen safety

1. Equipment used with oxygen or breathing-gas mixtures

containing over 40 per cent oxygen (by volume) must be
designed for oxygen service. Components (except umbilicals)
exposed to oxygen or breathing-gas mixtures containing over 40
per cent oxygen (by volume) must be cleaned of flammable
materials before use. Oxygen systems over 125 psig and
compressed air systems over 500 psi must have slow-opening
shut-off valves (such as a needle valve).

2. Equipment exposed to oxygen is cleaned of flammable materials

and hydrocarbon contaminants before placing that equipment

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 into oxygen service. Similarly, before new or replacement
components are placed into service in an oxygen-cleaned
system, they also must be cleaned before being connected to the
system.

16.10.10 Weights and harnesses

1. The requirements for weights and harnesses do not apply when

a diver wears heavy gear. In all other cases, each diver must be
equipped with a weight belt or assembly that has a quick-release
feature.

16.11 Emergency and Contingency Plans

16.11.1 Emergency Plans

1. Emergency procedures are the actions or procedures needed to

regain control of a situation and prevent or minimize injury to the
diver or support personnel.

2. Accidents and emergencies require a quick response if they are

to be prevented from becoming more serious. Before starting
diving operation, the diving contractor should make detailed
planning and assessment for possible emergencies at all depths
and locations and the availability of emergency services. He
should also ensure that there are effective means of
communication between the diving location, the people who has
control of the location and the emergency services.

3. If a diving operation is being carried out without a recompression

chamber on site, the diving contractor has a specific
responsibility to locate the nearest chamber prior to the
operation, and to make arrangements to use the chamber in the
event of an emergency.

4. General emergency procedures and any procedures specific to

the operation as well as information on the arrangements for
emergency services should be provided in the contractor manual
which should be accessible to all diving team members.
5. The diving contractor’s operations manual should contain a
section laying out the actions required of each member of the
diving team in the event of a foreseeable emergency occurring
during operations.

6. The following list, which is not exhaustive, identifies the type of

possible emergencies to be considered:

 Dealing with an injured, lost diver or unconscious diver

 Fire in a chamber or around the dive system

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  Evacuation from a vessel or fixed/floating structure which is
on fire or sinking (emergency evacuation)
 Loss of pressure in chambers or bell
 Faulty or broken equipment adverse environmental
conditions
 Loss of communications
 Fouled or entrapped diver
 Oxygen toxicity

7. In addition to the general safety requirements concerned with the

prevention of injury or illness to divers, it must always be borne in
mind that:

 A diver should not go, and must never remain underwater if

he does not feel well
 Any loss of consciousness underwater may prove fatal
 Any illness occurring during or after a dive must be assumed
to be due to the dive until it is proved otherwise; and
 Taking drugs or alcohol prior to dive is prohibited

8. All divers should have training and experience in first aid and
basic underwater medicine so that, in a medical emergency, all
diving team members have sufficient knowledge to proceed with
appropriate treatment or corrective action in consultation with the
diving supervisor. A diver should possess a valid certificate in
first aid, including cardiopulmonary resuscitation, issued by
organizations such as IMCA, ADCI or equivalent organizations.

9. For diving operations beyond the no decompression limit or in

remote locations where the assistance of a medical practitioner
cannot be obtained quickly, one member other than the
supervisor (Dive Medic) of the diving team should have further
training and experience in diving rescue and first aid, and be able
to go underwater to perform rescue operation without
compromising the team.

10. Medical instructions and equipment should be provided at the

diving location to enable all diving team members to carry out
first aid or to save life in an acute situation. All accidents and
incidents requiring first aid or medical intervention should be
accurately recorded in the diving operations log book.

11. A seriously injured or ill diver should be subjected to a brief

structured examination before treatment is started and any
findings should be reported to the diving supervisor.

16.11.2 Contingency Plan

1. A contingency plan and appropriate procedures, which have

been risk assessed, should be in place.

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 2. The plan should demonstrate that in an emergency, where the
compression chamber is not located on the site, a diver will be
able to be transported and recompressed to ensure, so far as
reasonably practicable, their safety. If the diving project plan
relies on the support of any emergency services, then that plan
should be subject to continued assessment and take into account
any factors which may affect such support (for example changing
weather conditions).

3. If a situation arises where a diver may need hyperbaric treatment

at a chamber provided by another chamber owner, then provision
for this should be made in the plan.

4. If the diving contractor is responsible for transporting the injured

diver to a hospital or other place, their duty will continue until the
diver is admitted to the hospital or other place.

5. In addition, plans/procedures should include:

 Recovery of an injured or unconscious diver

 Fire in a chamber or around the diving system
 Fire on board the vessel, small craft or on the quayside
 Evacuation from the vessel or quayside in the event of fire or
explosion
 Loss of pressure in the recompression chambers
 Faulty or broken equipment
 Approach of severe weather

16.12 Accident Reporting

16.12.1 General Requirements`

1. Diving accidents or incidents are defined as an injury or diving

illness occurring during or as a result from the dive or hyperbaric
exposure. A diving incident is any adverse consequence that
caused or could have caused injury to personnel and/or damage to
equipment, facilities, or the environment.

2. Accidents in diving operations can range from minor injuries and

mishaps to life threatening injuries or decompression illness, even
loss of life. All accidents and incidents, regardless of the severity
or whether or not the employee is injured, must be reported to the
command control centre thru control tower. All diving accidents
requiring medical treatment or resulting in a serious injury or death
will be reported in accordance with the Code form.

3. Accident Prevention measures should be given maximum

importance which may be achieved by regular Risk Assessment,

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 Safety Audits, medical screening etc. One should not wait for a
serious injury to occur before appropriate steps are taken to
control a hazard. Action taken after a “near miss” can prevent
future injuries and losses resulting from damage. However, any
HS&E accident/incident at the workplace needs to be addressed
adequately by the occupier.

16.12.2 Duty to Notify

1. All diving accidents must be reported immediately to the Port

Control and include the following initial information:

 Nature of the incident

 Extent of injury, including symptoms and time of onset
 Treatment and results
 Possible cause
 Actions taken to prevent or minimize the injury or illness

16.12.3 Investigation of Accidents

1. Diving company shall investigate accidents with a view to

determining their cause and to determining the action that should
be taken to prevent any similar accident in the future. The formality
and depth of the investigation should be proportional to the
severity or potential severity of the accident. The names of
witnesses should be recorded and any relevant photographs taken
should be identified, captioned and dated. The investigation should
consider all the relevant evidence. This may include the site where
the incident occurs, systems of work, responsibilities and people
involved, including their physical or mental condition, training and
competencies. It is important to investigate not only the direct
cause of an accident, but also to determine the underlying cause
or causes, which are often the real cause of an accident.

2. EHS shall investigate major incident from authority point of view

and appropriate enforcement measures shall be initiated which
may be in the form of Warning, Penalty or sanctions.

16.12.4 Accident/Incident Records

1. Diving Company shall establish and maintain an accident/incident

record system at the workplace and shall make this record
available to EHS. This system shall contain the following
information

 Nature of accident
 Description and cause
 Name/details of worker affected
 Treatment given
 Days of absence

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  Corrective action taken

16.12.5 EHS Inspections

1. EHS Officers conduct random inspections of the diving activities

happening within the jurisdiction and any contravention to the
provisions of the regulation, Inability by the diving company to
ensure accident free operations shall invite sanctions/penalties
from the Authority, especially where it is established that adequate
safeguards were not taken to prevent the accident/incident.

16.13 References

1. IMCA D 014 Rev. 1 – October 2007

2. ADCI Sixth Edition 2011

3. HSE Diving at Work Regulations 22nd October 2012

4. OSHA Guidelines for Commercial Diving Operations

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