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Differential Pressure Hazards in Diving

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Differential Pressure Hazards in Diving Health and Safety Executive Differential pressure hazards in diving HSE information sheet Diving Information Sheet No 13(rev1) Introduction Types of differential pressure hazards This diving information sheet is part of a series of Differential pressure hazards commonly occur information sheets providing guidance on diving in, but are not limited to, the following: at work. It provides information on the nature of differential pressure hazards in diving and n dams, canals, locks, weirs, sluices, water tanks, highlights the considerable risks associated with swimming pools and drains; around ships, this hazard. It also provides guidance on methods pipelines and other hollow structures; and at to use to assess, prevent, control and mitigate power, desalination and other plant intakes. pressure differential risks to working divers. Differential pressure hazard situations can be Differential pressure hazards – divided into four types: understanding the problem n when water levels vary either side of a boundary The Health and Safety Executive has funded research1 (eg at dams and lock gates); into the unique and deadly hazard that differential n when a submerged or partially submerged hollow pressure presents to divers. Differential pressure structure contains gas at a higher or lower hazards occur where water moves from an area of pressure than the surrounding water (eg at high pressure to one of low pressure. It presents no submarine pipelines and other underwater risk when there is no water flow. However, once flow structures with hollow components and also starts, the forces generated can be considerable. around ships); n when water is mechanically drawn through intakes Water flow may be a consequence of the movement (eg at cooling or fire water intakes in onshore and of water under its own weight, or it may be an active offshore installations, or sea chests on ships); and process involving machinery. It could occur, for n when water is mechanically drawn towards example, as a result of structural failure, the opening propellers, or other types of thrusters, on vessels. of a valve, a diver cutting into a void, or a pump starting. When the flow passes through an opening, Incidents caused by propellers or thrusters on any diver approaching the high pressure (or upstream) vessels are almost invariably fatal. However, the side may be drawn in and trapped. Serious or fatal injury is significantly different to that caused by injuries frequently occur under such circumstances. suction and does not involve being trapped or injured by the differential pressure. This Diving The force generated between two bodies of water at Information Sheet does not address these hazards. different levels is dependent on the difference in height Industry guidance on controlling the hazards between the water levels and the size of any opening associated with diving on ship hulls can be in the barrier. Where the water levels are significantly found in the ADC document; ADC-GP-0012. different on either side of a barrier considerable forces are likely to be generated, even through small Characteristics of differential openings. However, what is often not recognised pressure hazards is that very significant suction forces can also be created when a modest difference in water levels Differential pressure hazards are found in virtually all is combined with a relatively large opening. Divers water depths. Incidents involving energised pumps have been killed in depths as shallow as 3 metres. can occur at any depth of water, with the pump itself providing the suction force (eg in a swimming pool). Submerged divers can rarely detect a pressure differential hazard in time to avoid it. Once encountered, 1 of 4 pages Health and Safety Executive it is very difficult for divers to escape from the suction Prevention and control of forces. Equalization of the pressure difference is differential pressure hazards usually required before divers can be freed. Differential pressure hazards are frequently fatal with no Engineering controls to minimise differential pressure opportunity for effective intervention from rescuers. hazards should be considered at the design stage of Attempts by rescuers at the surface to use force ‘new-build’ projects. For example, these might include to free a diver, prior to the equalisation of pressure, design features that: frequently result in further injuries to the trapped diver. Other divers who enter the water to try to free a n allow pressures to be equalised; trapped diver are themselves often injured or killed n only require diver intervention from the low during attempted rescues. pressure side; n provide relevant valves with double redundancy Risk assessment n prevent diver encroachment into a DPDZ. Diving contractors are responsible for ensuring When suitable and sufficient controls are in place it that a suitable and sufficient risk assessment is possible for divers to work safely in the vicinity of is carried out before the start of any diving differential pressure hazards. Engineering control project and a diving project plan prepared. measures (‘hardware’ measures) are considered The risk assessment must assume differential inherently more reliable than procedural and pressure hazards are present where: behavioural control measures (‘software’ measures). Reasonably practicable hardware measures should n water levels between adjoining areas vary; therefore be instituted ahead of software measures. n water is adjacent to gaseous voids; Software measures should not be used to justify the n water can be mechanically drawn through intakes; absence of reasonably practicable hardware measures. n water can be mechanically drawn towards Both types of risk control measures are likely to be propulsors or other types of thrusters on ships. required for the effective elimination or control of differential pressure hazards and risks during The risk assessment should be completed in diving operations. conjunction with competent staff fully familiar with the dive site (eg client company engineers) and Examples of failures in the control of these reviewed regularly. Some differential pressure hazards highlight the necessity of: hazards may only arise following a structural failure. In this case the risk assessment should include n assessing the effectiveness of control an assessment of the integrity of the structures in measures prior to the diver entering the water; or around which diving is to take place. Particular n the use of robust physical barriers to the operation care must be taken before assuming the continued of valves/intakes; and integrity of temporary or damaged structures. n the separation of divers from a DPDZ. The area of fast-moving water around a hazard Prevention which may place the diver at risk from water flow, suction or turbulence (whether brought about Identify any possible differential pressure hazards in naturally or produced by the operation or failure conjunction with the appropriate competent people of plant and machinery) is termed the Differential (eg client company engineers familiar with the site). Pressure Danger Zone (DPDZ). Simple methods of Evaluate the risks arising from any possible differential estimating the size of a DPDZ and the magnitude pressure hazards. of the potential forces involved are provided at Annex F of the HSE research report1. Avoid the risk. Do not allow a diver to enter an active or latent DPDZ (especially on the high pressure side). The considerable uncertainties associated with Question if the work needs to be done using a diver. applying these calculations to diverse real life situations indicate they should be used with Use engineering controls to eliminate the existence of caution. They should not be used in an attempt any active DPDZ, or the chance of a DPDZ developing to demonstrate that the differential pressure which could impact on the safety of the diver. hazard is trivial and requires no further control. Wherever possible, equalise any pressure differentials prior to the commencement of diving operations. 2 of 4 pages Control References If it is physically impossible to eliminate the risk from 1 Differential pressure hazards in diving. pressure differential situations and there is no way of HSE Research Report 761. www.hse.gov.uk avoiding the use of a diver to carry out the work, then control the risk as follows: 2 Diving From, On or in Close Proximity to Merchant Vessels, Association of Diving Contractors n Use engineering controls to make the differential (ADC) Guidance Procedure ADC-GP-001. pressure as small as possible. www.adc-uk. n Do not dive on the high pressure side; dive from the low pressure side. Further reading n Consider conducting a remotely operated vehicle pre-dive survey. The Professional Diver’s Handbook, Third Edition 2011, n If diving work on the high pressure side is John Bevan, Submex Ltd, absolutely unavoidable, carry out a thorough risk assessment and produce a detailed Identification, Assessment and Control of Differential (procedural) safe system of work (SSW) in Pressure Hazards. Association of Diving Contractors conjunction with the relevant competent people (ADC) Guidance Procedure ADC-GP-002. (eg client company engineers familiar with the site). n As part of the SSW use a Permit-to-Dive system, Guidelines for Isolations and Intervention: Diver incorporating lock-off isolation of any necessary Access to Subsea Systems, International Marine plant/machinery to ensure that unsafe Contractors Association, IMCA D 044, October 2009 reconnection/operation
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