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

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.

18.59 A reserve breathing supply appropriate for the dive shall be carried by each diver.

18.60 Every employer shall ensure that nonreturn valves are

• (a) fitted to all diving helmets and surface supply diving masks; and

• (b) checked daily before the commencement of diving operations in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations.

18.61 Every employer shall ensure that every life support umbilical incorporates a lifeline rigged to prevent stress on the air line.

18.62 Every employer shall ensure that, in a liveboating operation,

• (a) a method that will prevent the lifeline or life support umbilical from becoming entangled in the propellers is used;

• (b) the diver’s tender is a qualified person for the type of tending used; and

• (c) the vessel operator is a qualified person.

Type 2 Scuba Diving

18.63 Sections 18.64 to 18.67 apply to type 2 dives in the course of which divers use scuba.

18.64 In a diving operation where the diver is tethered to the surface by a lifeline or float, there shall be at least three persons present at the dive site, of whom

• (a) one is a standby diver; and

• (b) one is a diver’s tender.

18.65 In a diving operation where the diver is not tethered to the surface by a lifeline or float, there shall be a through-water, two-way voice communication system between the divers and between the divers and the surface, and at least four persons present at the dive site, of whom

• (a) three are divers, one of whom is a standby diver; and

• (b) one is a diver’s tender.

18.66 One of the employees on the surface shall be designated as the dive supervisor of the scuba diving operation.

• 18.67 (1) Subject to subsection (2), dives shall be limited to a depth not exceeding 40 m.

• (2) A diver may dive to a depth greater than 40 m for the purpose of saving a life provided that, where conditions permit, the diver is

  • (a) secured by a lifeline; and

  • (b) tended by a diver’s tender.