Commercial Diving in Construction: Dive Team and Dive Procedures

Which rules apply

The construction diving sections covered in this course (29 CFR 1926.1071, 1926.1076 and 1926.1080 through 1926.1083) each say their requirements are identical to the commercial diving standard in 29 CFR 1910 Subpart T. That standard applies to diving and support operations in all types of work, including construction.

It does not apply to some diving, such as diving solely for instruction (open-circuit compressed-air SCUBA within no-decompression limits), public safety search and rescue under a government agency, certain human subjects research, and qualifying scientific diving.

Reference: 29 CFR 1926.1071 · 29 CFR 1926.1076 · 29 CFR 1910.401(a)(2) · 29 CFR 1910.401(a)(2)(iii) · 29 CFR 1910.401(a)(2)(iv)

Qualifications and the person-in-charge

• Each dive team member has the experience or training needed for assigned tasks, including the tools and equipment used, the techniques of the diving mode, and diving operations and emergency procedures.
• All dive team members are trained in CPR and first aid (American Red Cross standard course or equivalent). Those exposed to, or controlling others' exposure to, hyperbaric conditions are trained in diving-related physics and physiology.
• Tasks are assigned by experience or training. Trainees may do limited additional tasks under direct supervision of an experienced member.
• No one may be required to dive against their will, except to complete decompression or treatment.
• No one may dive during a known temporary physical impairment likely to affect their safety or health.
• A designated person-in-charge, with experience and training in the operation, is at the dive location in charge of all aspects affecting the team's safety and health.

Reference: 29 CFR 1910.410 · 29 CFR 1910.410(a)(2) · 29 CFR 1910.410(a)(2)(i) · 29 CFR 1910.410(a)(2)(ii) · 29 CFR 1910.410(b)(1) · 29 CFR 1910.410(c)(2)

Safe practices manual and emergency aid

Safe practices manual. The employer develops and maintains one and makes it available at the dive location to each dive team member. For each diving mode it includes safety procedures and checklists, team assignments and responsibilities, equipment procedures and checklists, and emergency procedures for fire, equipment failure, adverse environmental conditions, and medical illness and injury.

Emergency aid list. Kept at the dive location with phone or call numbers for: an operational decompression chamber (if not on site), accessible hospitals, available physicians, available transportation, and the nearest U.S. Coast Guard Rescue Coordination Center.

First aid. A physician-approved first aid kit, a standard first aid handbook and a bag-type manual resuscitator with transparent mask and tubing are at the dive location.

Reference: 29 CFR 1910.420 · 29 CFR 1910.421(b) · 29 CFR 1910.421(c) · 29 CFR 1910.420(b)(2) · 29 CFR 1910.420(b)(2)(i) · 29 CFR 1910.420(b)(2)(ii) · 29 CFR 1910.420(b)(2)(iii) · 29 CFR 1910.421(b)(1) · 29 CFR 1910.421(b)(2) · 29 CFR 1910.421(b)(4) · 29 CFR 1910.421(c)(3)

Planning, briefing and inspection

• Planning assesses the diving mode; surface and underwater conditions and hazards; breathing gas supply including reserves; thermal protection; equipment; team assignments and fitness; repetitive dive status; decompression and treatment procedures; and emergency procedures.
• Diving is coordinated with other activities nearby that could interfere, such as crane work, vessel traffic or pumping.
• The team is briefed on the tasks, safety procedures for the mode, unusual hazards or conditions, and any procedure changes. Before assignments, the employer asks about each member's current physical fitness and explains how to report problems during and after the dive.
• The breathing gas system and reserves, masks, helmets, thermal protection and bell handling mechanism are inspected before each dive.
• When diving from surfaces other than vessels in areas capable of supporting marine traffic, a rigid replica of the international code flag A, at least one meter high, is displayed with all-round visibility and lit at night.

Reference: 29 CFR 1910.421(d) · 29 CFR 1910.421(e) · 29 CFR 1910.421(f) · 29 CFR 1910.421(g) · 29 CFR 1910.421(h) · 29 CFR 1910.421(h) · 29 CFR 1910.421(d)(1) · 29 CFR 1910.421(d)(4) · 29 CFR 1910.421(d)(6) · 29 CFR 1910.421(d)(7) · 29 CFR 1910.421(d)(8) · 29 CFR 1910.421(f)(1) · 29 CFR 1910.421(f)(1)(i) · 29 CFR 1910.421(f)(1)(iii) · 29 CFR 1910.421(f)(1)(iv)

Entry, communications, tools and explosives

• A means to enter and exit the water that supports the diver is provided, the exit means extends below the surface, and there is a way to get an injured diver out of the water.
• An operational two-way voice communication system is used between each surface-supplied air or mixed-gas diver and a team member at the dive location, and a two-way system is available to call for emergency help.
• Decompression, repetitive and no-decompression tables (as appropriate) are at the dive location, and a depth-time profile is kept for each diver.
• Hand-held electrical tools are de-energized before going into or coming out of the water, and power tools are not powered until the diver requests it.
• For underwater welding and burning, the current supply switch is tended by a team member in voice contact with the diver and kept open except when the diver is welding or burning; insulated gloves are provided.
• Explosive circuits are not continuity-tested until the diver is out of the water, and explosives are not detonated while the diver is in the water.

Reference: 29 CFR 1910.422(b) · 29 CFR 1910.422(c) · 29 CFR 1910.422(f) · 29 CFR 1910.422(g) · 29 CFR 1910.422(h) · 29 CFR 1910.422(b)(1) · 29 CFR 1910.422(b)(2) · 29 CFR 1910.422(c)(1) · 29 CFR 1910.422(c)(2) · 29 CFR 1910.422(d) · 29 CFR 1910.422(e) · 29 CFR 1910.422(g)(1)(i)

When a dive must end

The working interval of a dive shall be terminated when:

1. A diver requests termination;
2. A diver fails to respond correctly to communications or signals;
3. Communications are lost and cannot be quickly re-established (between the diver and the dive location, and in liveboating between the person-in-charge and the vessel operator); or
4. A diver begins to use reserve breathing gas, either diver-carried or at the dive location.

Reference: 29 CFR 1910.422(i) · 29 CFR 1910.422(i)(3)

Post-dive precautions, chambers and records

After any dive, the employer checks the diver's physical condition, instructs the diver to report any physical problems or symptoms of decompression sickness, advises where a ready decompression chamber is, and warns of the hazards of flying after diving.

For dives outside the no-decompression limits, deeper than 100 fsw or on mixed gas, the employer instructs the diver to remain awake and near the on-site chamber for at least one hour after the dive (including decompression or treatment as appropriate).

Where a decompression chamber is required at the dive location, it is dual-lock, multiplace and located within 5 minutes of the dive location, and a team member is available to operate it during and for at least one hour after the dive.

A record is kept for each diving operation, including team names and the person-in-charge, date, time and location, modes, work, conditions, and each diver's maximum depth and bottom time, with more detail for deeper or decompression dives and any suspected decompression sickness. Each case of decompression sickness is investigated, with corrective action and a written evaluation, including any corrective action taken, within 45 days of the incident.

Reference: 29 CFR 1910.423(b) · 29 CFR 1910.423(c) · 29 CFR 1910.423(d) · 29 CFR 1910.423(b)(1) · 29 CFR 1910.423(b)(1)(iii) · 29 CFR 1910.423(b)(2) · 29 CFR 1910.423(c)(3) · 29 CFR 1910.423(c)(6) · 29 CFR 1910.423(d)(1) · 29 CFR 1910.423(d)(1)(i) · 29 CFR 1910.423(d)(1)(ii) · 29 CFR 1910.423(d)(1)(iv) · 29 CFR 1910.423(d)(1)(v) · 29 CFR 1910.423(d)(2) · 29 CFR 1910.423(d)(3) · 29 CFR 1910.423(e)(1) · 29 CFR 1910.423(e)(2)