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

Flying After Diving

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

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

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

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

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

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

Reports and Records

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

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

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

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

  • (a) the date of the dive;

  • (b) the dive location;

  • (c) the name of the diver;

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

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

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

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

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

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

  • (b) the maximum depth reached; and

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

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

  • (a) the type of diving equipment used;

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

  • (c) the maximum depth reached;

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

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

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

  • (g) any unusual incident or condition.

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

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

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

  • (b) the maximum depth reached;

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

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

  • (e) any unusual incident or condition;

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

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

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

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

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

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

DIVISION IIType 2 Dives

Approach to Water Control and Intake Facilities

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Diving Hazards

18.47 No employer shall permit a diver to approach a work place that may be hazardous because of the operation of machinery or equipment, unless the machinery or equipment is secured against inadvertent movement and made inoperable for the duration of the dive.

18.48 If there is a risk that a diver could be entrapped, the employer shall ensure that

• (a) a two-way voice communication system between the diver and the diver’s tender is provided; and

• (b) a second dive team, equipped to rescue a diver in the event of an emergency, is present at the dive site.

Use of Explosives

• 18.49 (1) The initiation of underwater explosive charges at a dive site shall be under the direct control of the dive supervisor.

• (2) A two-way voice communication system shall be provided when explosives are being used at a dive site, unless the voice communication system itself would pose a hazard.

Hyperbaric Chambers

18.50 Every employer shall ensure that a hyperbaric chamber meeting the requirements of CSA Standard CAN/CSA Z275.1-93, Hyperbaric Facilities, published in English in December 1993 and in French in January 1995, as amended from time to time, for Class A (double-lock type) hyperbaric chambers, is available and in operable condition whenever

• (a) a decompression dive is occurring; or

• (b) the depth of a dive is to exceed 40 m.

18.51 Every employer shall ensure that a hyperbaric chamber is operated by a qualified person.

Alternative Energy Sources

• 18.52 (1) Every employer shall ensure that a second source of power capable of supplying sufficient power to operate all essential diving equipment is available in the event of failure of the primary power source.

• (2) Every employer shall ensure that the second source of power referred to in subsection (1) is capable of

  • (a) being rapidly brought on line; and

  • (b) operating all equipment essential to the diving operation.

Surface Supply Type 2 Dives

18.53 Sections 18.54 to 18.62 apply to surface supply type 2 dives.

18.54 Where the planned depth of a dive does not exceed 40 m, there shall be at least three persons present at the dive site, of whom

• (a) at least two are divers, one of whom is a standby diver; and

• (b) at least one is a diver’s tender.

18.55 The diver’s tender or the standby diver of a diving operation, the depth of which does not exceed 40 m, shall be designated as the dive supervisor.

18.56 Where the planned depth of a dive exceeds 40 m, there shall be at least four persons at the dive site, of whom

• (a) at least two are divers, one of whom is a standby diver;

• (b) one is the dive supervisor; and

• (c) one is the diver’s tender.

18.57 Every employer shall ensure that, except in an emergency, each surface supply diver in the water has a separate diver’s tender.

• 18.58 (1) The voice communication system provided between a diver and the surface shall

  • (a) allow the diver’s breathing to be heard at the surface; and

  • (b) include a recording system where the maximum depth of the dive is greater than 55 m.

• (2) An emergency signal system must be in effect during a diving operation to supplement the primary communication system.