Nova Scotia Offshore Area Petroleum Diving Regulations (SOR/95-189)
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Regulations are current to 2013-04-29
Communication Systems
13. (1) Subject to subsection (2), no diving contractor shall conduct a diving operation unless there is available for use in the diving operation
(a) for communications between the supervisor of the diving operation and any diver or pilot involved in the diving operation
(i) a primary communication system that has
(A) sound reproduction adequate to enable breathing to be clearly heard and oral communications to be clearly heard and understandable, and
(B) a recording device that continuously records all oral communications while a dive is in progress, and
(ii) a secondary communication system that allows the supervisor and the divers or pilots to communicate orally in the event of a failure of the primary communication system; and
(b) for communications between the supervisor and any person involved in, or in a position to assist in, the diving operation, other than the divers and pilots referred to in paragraph (a), a communication system that meets the requirements of paragraph 6(1)(f).
(2) Subsection (1) does not apply to a diving operation where SCUBA is used and where it is impracticable to use the communication systems referred to in that subsection, in which case no diving contractor shall conduct such a diving operation unless there is available for use in the diving operation an alternative method of communication that is adequate for the type of diving operation and that the supervisor of the diving operation considers suitable for the diving operation.
Pressure Vessels
14. No diving contractor who conducts a diving operation shall use or permit to be used in the diving operation a pressure vessel intended for human occupancy unless the pressure vessel is equipped with
(a) a breathing mask for each occupant of the pressure vessel;
(b) a means of maintaining the oxygen, carbon dioxide, temperature and humidity in the pressure vessel at levels and pressures that are safe for the occupants; and
(c) for use in an emergency, a back-up capability to maintain the levels and pressures referred to in paragraph (b) for a minimum of, in the case of a diving bell or the compression chamber of a diving submersible, 24 hours and, in any other case, 48 hours.
Compression Chambers
15. No diving contractor who conducts a diving operation shall use or permit to be used a compression chamber in the diving operation unless the compression chamber
(a) meets the requirements of section 14;
(b) is designed and constructed in accordance with an acceptable standard;
(c) provides a suitable environment for its occupants, including amenities appropriate to the type, depth and duration of the diving operation;
(d) is equipped with doors that act as pressure seals and that can be opened from both the inside and the outside;
(e) is designed to minimize the risk of fire and
(i) is constructed of only non-combustible or fire-resistant materials, and
(ii) is equipped with suitable fire-fighting capabilities;
(f) is fitted with adequate equipment, including facilities for
(i) supplying to and maintaining for its occupants an appropriate breathing mixture,
(ii) lighting and heating the compression chamber, and
(iii) removing carbon dioxide;
(g) is equipped with valves, gauges and other fittings necessary to indicate and control the internal pressures of each compartment from outside the compression chamber;
(h) is fitted with piping that has at least one external shut-off valve, where practicable, immediately outside the point at which the piping enters the compression chamber and one internal shut-off valve immediately inside that point;
(i) is fitted with hull integrity valves that clearly indicate whether the valves are in the open or closed position and that are clearly labelled by name and number;
(j) other than a diving bell and the compression chamber of a diving submersible, is equipped with a built-in breathing system that permits outside dumping of exhaled gas;
(k) where appropriate, is equipped with an emergency shut-off valve that automatically shuts off the flow of gas from the compression chamber if the velocity or volume of gas exceeds the preset limit;
(l) is equipped with relief valves resistant to marine corrosion;
(m) has all of its internal electrical wiring insulated and in conduit, except for the wiring for low-power devices such as telephones;
(n) is cleaned and disinfected using only products that are
(i) recommended by the manufacturer for that type of use,
(ii) well proven for that purpose,
(iii) non-toxic at any pressure,
(iv) non-corrosive, and
(v) safe to use;
(o) where used in a category II dive or a category III dive or, where practicable, in a category I dive, is provided with a coupling arrangement that is suitable for the safe transfer of persons under pressure and that is designed to prevent accidental release;
(p) is provided with a clamping mechanism that
(i) is suitable for coupling a diving bell with the surface compression chamber,
(ii) clearly indicates when the clamping mechanism is fully engaged, and
(iii) cannot be disengaged while pressurized;
(q) is supplied with breathing mixture through a gas control panel that
(i) has distinct indicators of the function of each valve and gauge, and
(ii) is designed so as to minimize the possibility of supplying an incorrect breathing mixture;
(r) if manufactured after December 31, 1990,
(i) is fitted with a device to record continuously and to preserve at least the last recorded four hours of data respecting temperature, oxygen levels, depth, time and oral communications and, where practicable, carbon dioxide and humidity levels, and
(ii) where practicable, is provided with a means to permit video monitoring of its occupants; and
(s) if manufactured on or before December 31, 1990, meets the requirements set out in paragraph (r) where the Board so determines pursuant to subsection 142(4) of the Act.
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