Nova Scotia Offshore Area Petroleum Diving Regulations (SOR/95-189)

18. No diving contractor who conducts a diving operation shall use or permit to be used a diving submersible in the diving operation unless

• (a) the compression chamber of the diving submersible meets the requirements of sections 14, 15 and 17, except paragraphs 17(k) to (n) and subparagraph 17(s)(i);

• (b) during any period in which the diving submersible is in use, it is

  • (i) resting on the bottom,

  • (ii) firmly secured at or near the work site where it is to be used, or

  • (iii) secured in such a manner as is approved by the Board pursuant to subsection 142(4) of the Act or as is approved in accordance with section 5 for the diving program of which the diving operation is a part;

• (c) there is a means of maintaining at a safe level the body temperature of a person in the compression chamber of the diving submersible and a person in the water making a dive from the diving submersible; and

• (d) a diver is present in the compression chamber of the diving submersible at any time that a dive is in progress.

• 19. (1) Where an oxygen supply system is to be used in a diving operation, the diving contractor who conducts the diving operation shall use or permit to be used only an oxygen supply system the design of which complies with the following requirements, namely, that

  • (a) the use of hoses and piping be kept to a minimum;

  • (b) the materials used be compatible with oxygen at the pressures and temperatures for which the oxygen supply system is designed;

  • (c) the possibility of contamination of the oxygen by other gases, and vice versa, be minimized;

  • (d) high-velocity flows of oxygen be avoided;

  • (e) the differential pressure throughout the oxygen supply system be kept as low as is practicable; and

  • (f) quick-shut-off valves not be installed in the oxygen supply system except for one-quarter-turn valves that are connected to lines with reduced oxygen pressure and that may be used in an emergency.

• (2) A diving contractor who conducts a diving operation shall ensure that

  • (a) any oxygen storage area for the diving operation is

    • (i) adequately ventilated,

    • (ii) properly identified with warning signs,

    • (iii) equipped with a fire suppression system,

    • (iv) kept clear of and located as far as practicable away from combustible materials, and

    • (v) if located in an enclosed area, equipped with an oxygen detector and an alarm designed to give warning of oxygen levels in excess of the concentration of oxygen in the ambient air;

  • (b) any person responsible for handling or otherwise dealing with oxygen is specially trained in that work; and

  • (c) oxygen is transferred using only pumps, compressors or pressure differential systems that are

    • (i) recommended for that purpose by the manufacturer,

    • (ii) operated in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions, and

    • (iii) operated by a person authorized to do so by the supervisor of the diving operation.