DIVING POLICY & PROCEDURES Version 7.5 August 2009 This is a working document that may be updated without notice. Prior to conducting any University of Tasmania diving operation, please ensure you have read and have a working knowledge of the latest copy of this Manual. Copies can be obtained from the University Diving Officer – Phone 03 6226 2608 PLEASE NOTE The information contained in this manual presents the minimum acceptable safety procedures to be employed in all UTAS diving operations. No set of standard procedures can anticipate all situations that may be encountered during field operations, and as a result, no individual may assume they will be safe if they blindly follow the guidelines presented in this document. No standards will ever exist which can substitute for common sense, sound judgment, and a continuing concern for safety. SAFETY IS NOT A RULE BOOK - IT IS A STATE OF MIND. DIVING POLICY AND PROCEDURES OVERVIEW The University of Tasmania is committed to continuously improving the management and standards of Occupational Health and Safety, and this extends to minimising the risks associated with diving activities. This Diving Procedure provides the minimum requirements for all diving activities undertaken by University of Tasmania employees. DEFINITIONS Accountable Person: An individual, who assumes responsibility for the health and welfare of any other person in a workplace by providing instruction, direction, assistance, advice or service, is deemed an accountable person in accordance with the Workplace Health & Safety Regulations 1998. All management and supervisory staff (which include those with responsibility for students) are therefore considered “accountable persons”. Employee: For the purposes of this Procedure, employee refers to any staff member, student, contractor or visitor. Responsible Officer: Deans, Heads of Division, Heads of School and Administrative Sections have been designated as Responsible Officers under the Workplace Health & Safety Act 1995. RESPONSIBILITIES Accountable Person: Accountable Persons must ensure employees are able to undertake diving activities safely by implementing this procedure, and ensuring that appropriate records relating to diving activities are kept. For further information regarding duties of Accountable Persons please refer to the UTAS Occupational Health and Safety Policy at http://www.admin.utas.edu.au/hr/ohs/pol_proc/. Where an employee is required to supervise a diving activity, the accountable person is responsible for ensuring that delegated safety responsibilities are fulfilled and that appropriate supervision is provided. Diving and Boating Safety Committee The University of Tasmania Diving and Boating Safety Committee (UTDBSC) is a sub committee of the University's Occupational Health & Safety Committee and has the responsibility for the following: • Oversight and administration of University diving and boating projects, including compliance with relevant policies and operational procedures; • Development of policies and procedures associated with University of Tasmania Diving and Boating activities; • Recommendation of appropriate disciplinary action in the event of unsafe diving or boating activities by any individual or group within the University – if necessary including suspension of scientific diving/boating projects, or any individual’s certification as a Scientific Diver within the University; • Investigation of all diving and/or boating accidents/incidents, and to report violations of the University’s policies and procedures to the Occupational Health and Safety Unit. • Consideration of scientific diving/boating related problems encountered while diving or operating under the policies or procedures of the University’s Diving Operations Manual and Boating Activity Policy. Employee Employees must ensure that prior to undertaking any diving activity, they meet or exceed all requirements outlined in the University of Tasmania Field Activity Policy and Diving Procedures Manual. Whilst undertaking any diving activity, employees are required to undertake the activities in a manner which does not adversely affect their own health and safety, or that of others, by following such Procedures. They must immediately report to the Accountable Person any matter which may affect their own or others’ health and safety. University of Tasmania Diving Procedures Manual v7.5: August 2009 2 Responsible Officer: Responsible Officers must ensure that where employees are required to undertake diving activities, such activities are undertaken in accordance with this Procedure. University Diving Officer: The University of Tasmania’s Diving Officer is a University-wide suitably qualified and experienced Diver who has responsibility for Diving activities. Revision History: v1.0 1998 - December v4.1 2003 - September v7.1 2008 - May v2.0 2001 - January v5.0 2004 - June v7.5 2008 - Nov v3.1 2001 - June v5.1 2005 - January v7.3 2008 - Dec v3.3 2001 - November v6.0 2005 - September v7.4 2009 - Mar v4.1 2003 - September v7.0 2007 - June Referenced Material • American Academy of Underwater Sciences – Standards for Scientific Diving - 2001; • Australian Institute of Marine Science Diving Procedures Manual - September 1997; • DCIEM Diving Manual - Part 1: Air Decompression Procedures and Tables; • Dive Computers - A Consumer’s Guide to History, Theory and Performance 1991, Ken Loyst, Karl Huggins & Michael Steidley, Watersport Books; • Diving and Subaquatic Medicine: 1976, Edmonds, Lowry and Pennefather, Diving Medical Centre. • NOAA Diving Manual – 4th Edition (2001); • Standards Australia AS2030 - Storage of Compressed Gases; AS3848.2 – Filling of Gas Cylinders for Diving; • Standards Australia AS2299.1: 2007 – Occupational Diving Operations Part 1 – Standard Operational Practice; • Standards Australia AS2299.2: 2002 Part 2 – Scientific Diving; • Standards Australia AS2815.1: 1992 Training and certification of occupational divers Part 1: SCUBA diving to 30m; • Standards Australia AS2815.2: 1992 Training and certification of occupational divers Part 1: Air diving to 30m; • Standards Australia AS2815.6: 200? Training and certification of occupational divers Part 6: Restricted Occupational SCUBA Divers; • Tasmanian Department of Primary Industry and Fisheries - Diving Procedures Manual 1997; • Tasmanian Workplace Health & Safety Act 1995 and Workplace Health & Safety Regulations 1998; • University of Hawaii Diving Manual; • University of Queensland - Heron Island Research Station Diving Procedures Manual; • University of Western Australia - Code of Practice for Underwater Diving; • Workplace Health and Safety Compliance Standard 1996 - Underwater Diving Work; RELATED POLICIES AND PROCEDURES A full list of UTAS OH&S Policies and Procedures can be found at http://www.admin.utas.edu.au/hr/ohs/pol_proc/. The policies listed below relate directly to issues covered in this Manual, and should be consulted for detailed information should one or more need to be addressed by a Risk Assessment or Dive Permission Form. • Occupational Health & Safety Policy • Occupational Exposure to Blood/Body Fluids • Alcohol, Tobacco & Drugs in the Workplace • OH&S Issue Resolution Procedure • Boating Activity Policy • Out-of-Service Procedure • Confined Space Entry Procedure • Personal Protective Equipment • Field Activity Policy Policy/Procedures • First Aid in the Workplace Policy • Project/Task Risk Assessment & Control • Guidelines for Driving Vehicles • Workplace Inspection Procedure and • Hazardous Substances Policy and Procedures Checklist • Hearing Conservation Management Policy • Zoonoses and Animal-Based Hazards Policy • Manual Handling Policy and Procedures This is a working document and may be updated without notice. Prior to conducting any UTAS diving operation, you must have read and understood a copy of the latest version of this Manual University of Tasmania Diving Procedures Manual v7.5: August 2009 3 TABLE OF CONTENTS DIVING POLICY AND PROCEDURES ............................................................................................................................................................. 2 OVERVIEW ...........................................................................................................................................................................................................2 DEFINITIONS .......................................................................................................................................................................................................2 Accountable Person: ..............................................................................................................................................................................................2 Employee: ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................2 Responsible Officer: ...............................................................................................................................................................................................2 RESPONSIBILITIES ............................................................................................................................................................................................2 Accountable Person: ..............................................................................................................................................................................................2