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Do Qhses Pro 023
Do Qhses Pro 023
DIVING MANAGEMENT
CONTENT
1 ABBREVIATIONS & DEFINITIONS .......................................................................................................................3
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DO-QHSES-PRO-023
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DO-QHSES-PRO-023
Abbreviation Description
RA Risk Assessment
Definitions Description
A person that carries a diver’s license (including medical certification) issued by
Competent diver an approved authority or by institutions/organizations accredited by an
approved authority.
A term used to describe illness that results from a reduction in the ambient
Decompression Illness pressure surrounding a body and encompasses two diseases, decompression
sickness (DCS) and arterial gas embolism (AGE).
A person that has been appointed in writing by the underwater contractor to
Dive supervisor
be in charge of a MUO or parts of such operation.
All other abbreviations and terms are defined in DEME-QHSES-DOC-007 Abbreviations & terms.
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All diving works are to be done by a competent diving contractor, making use of suitably trained and experienced
diving personnel, certified diving equipment and having adequate emergency response measures in place which
meet the requirements of DEME Offshore and the local legislation.
Prior to performing diving works, a check shall be done to verify if other methods are possible which reduce the risk
of working underwater with personnel.
The objective of this Procedure is to outline the minimum requirements by which diving works are to be conducted
on both sites and vessels so that diving related accidents are avoided.
Subcontractors that have a system that satisfies the requirements of this procedure may use their own system
provided it has been approved prior to execution.
DEME Offshore employees are NOT allowed to execute any diving operations.
He/she shall ensure that a safe working environment is provided and ensures that authorisation is provided prior to
diving.
The vessel master shall have direct communication with the diving supervisor at all times when the diver is in the
water. Where a hazard to the vessel or the diving operation arises, he shall advise the dive supervisor to stop diving
operations and immediately recover the diver.
He/she shall check the certificates and competences of the external diving company.
QHSE-S manager
The QHSE manager is responsible for the revision and control of the implementation of this procedure through audits
and inspections.
Safety officer
The safety officer will provide advise regarding the planning of diving activities when necessary. He/she will make
sure that the Job Safety and Environmental Analysis (JSEA) and Permit to Work (PTW) are properly executed.
The contractor shall ensure that all diving works comply with the requirements of this procedure, local permit
requirements and local regulations.
An overview of roles and responsibilities of all dive team members shall form part of the Diving Manual.
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Diving Supervisor
The appointed diving supervisor shall have experience in the task and shall be legally responsible for all diving
activities under his supervision and shall ensure that all requirements are met.
The diving supervisor shall ensure suitable equipment and tools are used and in serviceable condition, certificates
of equipment and personnel are in place and in date, required documentation is available at the dive location,
records are kept up to date and that all works are directly supervised at all times.
Where the vessel master advises a hazard to the vessel or diving operations arises, the supervisor shall safely recover
the diver as quick as possible.
DEME Representative
Where the scope or complexity of the underwater works requires or where there are multiple dive teams, DEME
may assign competent person as a superintendent. At no time shall the presence of the DEME superintendent relieve
the responsibilities of the appointed diving supervisor of the Dive Contractor.
4 DEME REQUIREMENTS
To ensure that the dive team can plan the task adequately, DEME Offshore is required to provide as much
information on the requirements, the work location and any other information that may affect the diving works.
Dive Method
All diving works on DEME Offshore vessels / projects shall be done using Surface Supplied Diving equipment.
Where the selection process has shown that there are no companies with the capabilities of provided Surface
Supplied Diving equipment or persons trained in the use, the Project Manager / Vessel Master shall seek advice from
a competent person for control measures required for the use of SCUBA as the dive method.
DEME Offshore shall provide, where required, documentation which can assist in determining direct and indirect
risks in the area under DEME Offshore’s control.
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Documentation
This procedure shall be provided to the Dive Contractor. Additional documentation may include drawings,
photographs, technical info, project layouts and infostructure info, etc related to the activity.
Diving regulations
All planned diving operations shall be carried out in accordance with local regulations or a recognized standard for
diving operations. The following dive regulations and standards are recognized by DEME:
- ABR 155 Royal Australian Navy (RAN) diving manual;
- Belgian law: ‘KB dd. 23/12/2003 betreffende de bescherming van de werknemers tegen de risico’s bij
werkzaamheden in een hyperbare omgeving’;
- BR 2806 UK Military diving manual;
- International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) Offshore diving;
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) US dive regulations and United States Navy
(USN) diving manual.
Local regulation needs to be followed wherever it is more stringent than the above mentioned regulations.
The Dive Manual shall always be available at the dive location for reference by the dive supervisor.
All dive work instructions covering the specific task shall be understood by the dive team and kept at the dive location
for reference.
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- Diving medical certificate which are issued by an approved diving medical practitioner, (this is not a
normal fit for duty medical certificate), valid within 12 months;
- Valid first aid certificate (where a diver medical technician (DMT) is required, a valid training certificate);
- Logbook of all dives;
The proposed dive team, evidance of the above documents and an overview of their experience may be requested
for acceptance prior to diving.
The below table provides an overview of acceptable diver and supervisor qualifications. This does not include
qualifications required for closed bell or saturation diving.
Onshore / Inshore Diver HSE Part III, ADAS Part 2, South Africa Class III, Commercial Diver Surface Supply
(onshore/inland) or similar issued by an accredited training institution.
Onshore / Inshore ADAS SSBA Part 2 supervisor (to 30m), South Africa Class III supervisor (to 30m), or
Supervisor similar issued by an accredited training institution.
Offshore Diver HSE Part 1, ADAS Part 3, Duikarbeid Categorie B, South Africa Class II, Commercial
Diver Surface Supply (offshore up to 50m) or similar issued by an accredited training
institution
Offshore Supervisor ADAS SSBA Part 3 supervisor (to 50m), IMCA air diving supervisor or similar issued
by an accredited training institution.
Table 1 – Acceptable Certifications
Where the diving works affect the Emergency Response of the project / vessel, the project manager / vessel master
shall ensure that the plans don’t conflict.
Where emergency response is managed by DEME Offshore, a bridging document shall be made to ensure both
emergency response procedures are aligned.
Training
All divers should be trained in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and first aid management of those common illnesses
and injuries to which they may be exposed. This training should include the use of common items of first aid
equipment including oxygen administration systems and must hold current certificates (Red Cross standard course
level or equivalent).
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Additional training or familiarisation may be required in the use of equipment or techniques used for a particular
emergency activity.
Where the dive location is not reachable by national emergency service providers or where a decompression
chamber is on site, sufficient divers should have received additional training to a diver medic level to ensure suitable
stabilisation is provided until support arrives or where decompression treatment is required, a suitably trained
person is available to accompany the diver during treatment.
Where the dive location is not reachable by national emergency service providers or other registered medical
personnel within the required timeframe, is located offshore or where the task involves an inherent high risk, a
sufficient number of persons trained as diver medical technicians and a full trauma medical kit meeting the
requirements of DMAC 15 as a minimum or as advised by the company assigned hyperbaric medical doctor.
The diving contractor shall ensure that familiarisation has been done with the dive team on the location, routes,
transport means and other requirements prior to starting the activities.
Where the decompression chamber is part of the diving contractors dive spread, all persons required to operate the
chamber or are part of the treatment team shall be suitably trained and made familiar with the system on a regular
basis.
Where the diving depth is less than 10 meters, the bottom time is less than 80% of the allowed no-decompression
table bottom time and the activity is low intensity and low risk (e.g. inspections), the requirement for a
decompression chamber shall be assessed in the dive plan.
The Supervisor shall be suitably trained to the level required for the activity and type of diving and shall be appointed
to supervise the dive team for the shift.
The minimum number of suitably qualified divers is two (main diver and stand-by diver). However, this will provide
the minimum in-water working capability and it will be necessary to provide additional divers dependent upon the
time which each diver is able to spend in the water and the number of dives to be carried out in each shift.
The size of the required dive team shall be assessed in the dive plan.
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All power tools shall be checked prior to use to ensure the tool is correct for the task and is in serviceable condition
as per the manufacture’s requirements.
Specific PPE requirements shall be met when making use of power tools.
An overview of the certification pack may be requested for acceptance prior to diving.
The frequency and extent of examination and testing required for all items of plant used in a diving project should
be based on the manufacturers’ recommendations and be in accordance with the appropriate national, European
or international standards.
Prior to starting the diving activity, a full dry and wet function test shall be done to test all components of the system
being used. This test shall include all supporting equipment like cranes, decompression chambers, tools, etc.
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6 EMERGENCY RESPONSE
The master of the vessel/project manager/QHSE-S manager must make sure that an emergency response plan is in
place for the diving operation; see Emergency preparedness and response [8]. The plan shall be made up by the
diving company. All possible diving related incidents are to be covered.
Where the diving works affect the Emergency Response of the project / vessel, the project manager / vessel master
shall ensure that the plans don’t conflict.
Where emergency response is managed by DEME Offshore, a bridging document shall be made to ensure both
emergency response procedures are aligned.
Training
All divers should be trained in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and first aid management of those common illnesses
and injuries to which they may be exposed. This training should include the use of common items of first aid
equipment including oxygen administration systems and must hold current certificates (Red Cross standard course
level or equivalent).
Additional training or familiarisation may be required in the use of equipment or techniques used for a particular
emergency activity.
Where the dive location is not reachable by national emergency service providers or where a decompression
chamber is on site, sufficient divers should have received additional training to a diver medic level to ensure suitable
stabilisation is provided until support arrives or where decompression treatment is required, a suitably trained
person is available to accompany the diver during treatment.
Where the dive location is not reachable by national emergency service providers or other registered medical
personnel within the required timeframe, is located offshore or where the task involves an inherent high risk, a
sufficient number of persons trained as diver medical technicians and a full trauma medical kit meeting the
requirements of DMAC 15 as a minimum or as advised by the company assigned hyperbaric medical doctor.
Decompression Chamber
A fully functioning two-compartment decompression chamber ready to provide a hyperbaric treatment schedule as
required by medical advice by suitably trained personnel shall be made available within 2 hours traveling from the
dive location.
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The diving contractor shall ensure that familiarisation has been done with the dive team on the location, routes,
transport means and other requirements prior to starting the activities.
Where the decompression chamber is part of the diving contractors dive spread, all persons required to operate the
chamber or are part of the treatment team shall be suitably trained and made familiar with the system on a regular
basis.
Where the diving depth is less than 10 meters, the bottom time is less than 80% of the allowed no-decompression
table bottom time and the activity is low intensity and low risk (e.g. inspections), the requirement for a
decompression chamber shall be assessed in the dive plan.
7 RISK MANAGEMENT
Risk Management according the Deme Offshore Risk Management Manual [2].
A Method Statement (MST), or scope of works, Risk Assessment (HAZOP) [3] or JSEA and an authorized Permit to
Work [5] are compulsory for all diving activities on DEME Offshore projects vessels and shall be made in addition to
the diving specific risk management requirements of the Diving Manual. These shall be developed with all parties
involved and provided for acceptance prior to starting the underwater works.
The diving contractor shall give careful consideration to the following conditions / activities:
Surface Conditions
The surface conditions include the state of the water, weather, visibility, tide, currents, water temperature, presence
of ships or other craft, and any other surface conditions that could affect the operation.
Diving operations shall not be undertaken in rough seas, unusual tides or currents or other adverse conditions unless
the supervisor has ensured that the diver's safety will not be jeopardised.
In-Water Conditions
In-water conditions may include moving objects, confined spaces, visibility, presence of contaminants, obstructions,
dangerous marine life, pressure differentials and currents.
Divers shall be provided with appropriate protective equipment to prevent contact with water contaminated with
chemical, biological, or other hazardous material of sufficient concentration to cause illness or injury. Where
necessary, additional personal protective equipment shall be provided to ensure similar protection is afforded to
the remainder of the dive team.
High stress working environment (e.g. working on UXO’s or live installations) or physically intensive activities can
also affect the performance of a diver. Consideration for maximum bottom time shall be taken into account where
the in-water conditions are not favourable.
Communications
The diving contractor shall establish an efficient and reliable, preferably voice communication system between the
diver(s) and the dive control position.
All persons in the diving team must share a common language. Where non-diving personnel are involved in the
activity, e.g. crane operator, they shall share the common language with the dive team.
Water Temperature
The diving contractor should assess the temperature of water and possible thermoclines at the dive site. Appropriate
measures shall be taken to ensure the diver is at a comfortable temperature and the dive times are adapted
accordingly where there is an increased risk of decompression illness.
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When diving from a vessel, the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea and local rules shall apply.
The appropriate signals shall also be displayed when diving.
Decompression Diving
Where possible, diving works shall be planned under “no-decompression” diving limits. Where repetitive or
decompression diving is required, it shall be carried out in accordance with widely recognised and industry approved
dive and decompression tables. If, at any time a diver exhibits signs or symptoms of decompression illness, medical
assistance should be sought.
When carrying out decompression in water, the diver shall always be on a shot line, lazy shot or a diving stage, and
the diver's maximum depth of dive and the depth at any time during decompression stops shall be recorded on the
dive record. Divers shall not swim free when carrying out decompression stops.
8 PERMIT TO WORK
All diving works shall be done under an authorised Permit to Work and shall comply with the requirements of the
Permit to Work Procedure [5].
Where other high risk activities are done as part of the diving works, (e.g. hot works, lifting, etc.), these shall also
comply with these requirements..
When diving from / on a vessel, the vessel pre-diving checklist shall form part of the Permit to Work and shall be
completed prior to diving or after changes occur.
The Dive Supervisor shall complete a pre and post dive checklist for all dives as part of their diving system.
9 LOCK-OUT / TAG-OUT
Where there is a possible exposure to any energy source, uncontrolled movements, exposure to differential
pressures or suction and discharge points that is a risk to the diving works, adequate isolation measures shall be put
in place according to the lock-out tag-out procedure prior to the diver entering the water.
10 DOCUMENT REFERENCES
[1] DEME-QHSES-DOC-007 Abbreviations and terms
[2] DO-QHSES-MAN-003 Risk Management Manual
[3] DO-QHSES-TMP-024 HAZOP Report Template
[4] DEME-VMS-PRO-002 Job Safety Analysis
[5] DO-QHSES-FOR-013 DEME Offshore Permit to Work
[6] DEME-QHSES-PRO-037 LockOut-TagOut
[7] DEME-QHSES-CHL-062 Pre-diving checklist
[8] DO-QHSES-PRO-XXX Emergency Preparedness and Response
[9] DO-QHSES-RA-054 Diving management
[10] DO-QHSES-PRO-007 Subcontractor and Supplier Management Procedure
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