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(1) The purpose of this procedure is to ensure the management of risks associated with diving and underwater work at Southern Cross University (SCU) are appropriately managed and controlled. (2) The purpose of this procedure is to ensure Southern Cross University’s management, employees, contractors, students, visitors and others are aware of the risks associated with diving and underwater work in the workplace, management strategies and to provide advice on appropriate controls. (3) All employees, students and others including both independent contractors and contractors under SCU control are to be made aware of and follow this procedure. (4) This Procedure applies to all SCU Work Units and sites. The procedure aligns with WHS legislation in the relevant jurisdictions SCU operates in. (5) This Procedure must be read in conjunction with the SCU Diving Manual. (6) Diving and underwater activities such as snorkeling undertaken as part of SCU education and work (including research) must: (7) Before any person undertaking any diving activity related to their role must: (8) The MSDO is responsible for administering and managing all diving operations, and ensuring compliance with legislation, regulations, Standards, SCU policies and the SCU Scuba Diving Operations Manual. (9) The MSDO has the authority to restrict, prohibit or suspend diving and/or snorkelling activities, or require additional safety practices, procedures or equipment to ensure safety. (10) A dive coordinator shall be present at all times while a diver is in the water. The dive coordinator shall be responsible for the safe conduct of diving and shall coordinate and direct the activity of the diving teams and ensure that all diving is carried out in accordance with legislation, regulations, Standards, SCU policies and the SCU Scuba Diving Operations Manual. (11) As a general guide, snorkel diving should only be used as an observation and/or light recovery or collection technique. No difficult or strenuous work of any kind should be attempted using snorkel diving, without implementation of appropriate safety precautions and the written permission of the Diving Officer. (12) Snorkel divers should also be reasonable swimmers, comfortable in the water, and observe common sense rules regarding boating and swimming safety. Inexperienced snorkellers must undertake a snorkel diving familiarisation course with the Diving Officer or delegate, and should initially practice snorkelling in either a swimming pool, or other sheltered, shallow waters, until they attain enough confidence to swim in deeper water. (13) Snorkelling is prohibited in areas of high boating traffic, e.g. around boat ramps or in shipping channels. (14) There are a number of hazards associated with occupational diving. They should be considered as part of a structured and systematic risk assessment process, with appropriate controls implemented before work commences. Due to the dynamic nature of such risks, occupational diving requires daily risk assessments as the work is carried out and completed. Potential applicable hazards include the following: (15) Specific risks that occupational divers may encounter include the following: (16) All SCU SCUBA divers must be certified medically fit via a current occupational AS/NZS 2299 dive medical (renewed annually) issued by a registered practitioner with training in underwater medicine and detailed in AS/NZS 2299.1. For specific dive classifications (i.e. Scientific Diver, Restricted Diver, Snorkel Diver) and minimum competency, refer to the SCU Scuba Diving Operations Manual. (17) Prior to undertaking a dive with the University, divers must complete (or provide proof of completion): (18) The WHS Regulation requires SCU to obtain proof of competency before all occupational diving work is conducted. (19) In addition to the minimum training and experience, divers will be classified by the MSDO based on their qualifications, knowledge, and experience. The requirements for each diver classification, including specific qualifications, training, number of dives, hours of experience, and depth limits are determined by WHS legislation and Australian Standards and are detailed in the SCU Scuba Diving Operations Manual. (20) Divers will be classified as Restricted, Limited, or General Scientific Divers. Additional skills and qualifications as specified in the SCU Scuba Diving Operations Manual are required for roles such as Dive Coordinator, Dive Leader, Diving Officer, Standby Diver and Divers’ Attendant. All divers registering with SCU must provide copies of their diving qualifications (including competency criteria), personal logbook, and certificates of fitness before the Diving Officer determines their diver classification. (21) Before starting any University field trip involving diving or snorkelling, the Field Trip Leader and Dive Coordinator must obtain approval from the Diving Officer as outlined in the SCU Outdoor Fieldwork Safety Policy. (22) The Dive Proposal and Risk Assessment for SCUBA must be submitted to the Diving Officer, WHS Team and Head of Work Unit before every diving operation and must be completed and submitted to the MSDO before commencement of the first dive. Sufficient time must be allowed for the Diving Officer to fully assess the proposal. It comprises a dive plan, risk assessment and emergency plan. (23) A signed copy of the Dive Proposal must be taken to the dive site. A signed copy must also be shown to the relevant technical staff member to borrow University diving equipment. (24) Refer to the SCU Scuba Diving Operations Manual for more information on field trip and diving. (25) Dive Plans must be developed for each dive operation by a competent employee. Refer to the SCU Scuba Diving Operations Manual for the Dive Plan template. (26) The dive tables must be used for all SCU diving operations as outlined in the SCU SCUBA Diving Operations Manual. (27) All dive operations must be supervised by a competent person such as a Dive Coordinator and in water by the nominated Dive Leader. As part of managing the risk for diving the following must be completed for each diving activity: (28) All SCU snorkelers must have as a minimum: (29) All Snorkel Leaders must also have: (30) During a snorkelling field trip, the Dive Coordinator is on site and in-charge of supervising the snorkel diving operations and must conduct a pre-dive briefing. (31) All snorkelers must adhere to the safe snorkelling limits as outlined in the SCU SCUBA Diving Operations Manual. (32) All dive equipment used on SCU dive trips must be serviced annually or to manufacturer’s specifications and be in good working order. Where divers wish to use personal dive equipment, they must forward scanned copies of the annual service record to the MSDO before undertaking the dive trip. (33) Any faulty equipment must be tagged out immediately, recorded on the daily Diving Safety Log and reported to the MSDO. (34) When diving in open bodies of water where marine jellyfish are likely to be encountered, a full length stinger suit made from a synthetic smooth fabric with mesh size no greater than 200 microns is mandatory. Stinger suits must be manufactured to recognised industry standard. (35) The optional use of approved shark deterrents is mandatory for all diving and snorkelling operations when diving is undertaken in Australia or regions where dangerous sharks are known to exist overseas. (36) The Dive Coordinator must prepare emergency procedures which outlines the response plan for each diving/or snorkelling operation as part of the diving/snorkelling plan, this is in addition to the general field trip plan. Such a plan should include the following considerations: (37) Emergency response factors must be considered as part of planning for emergency events, such as the location and availability of emergency systems and equipment, and the effectiveness of emergency response procedures. Availability and response times of emergency services such as coast guard and marine rescue services should be considered as part of the overall risk assessment process. (38) SCU must ensure that the following are available at all dive sites: (39) Employees and students must: (40) The Dive Coordinator is then to report details to the MSDO and complete a report in RiskWare as soon as reasonably practicable or within 24 hours of the event occurring. Notification pathways outlined in WHSMP18: Incident Management, Reporting and Investigation Procedure should be followed. (41) Notifiable incidents must also be reported immediately to the Head of Work Unit, WHS Team or University Security (available 24/7) who will notify senior management. The WHS Manager is responsible for notifying the relevant Regulator as legally required. (42) All participants in SCU diving and/or snorkelling operations must comply with HRP17: Vessel and Maritime Safety. (43) The Committee is a sub-committee of the SCU Workplace Health and Safety Committee. (44) Refer to WHS Responsibility and Accountability Statements. (45) The Vice Chancellor has the following WHS responsibilities: (46) Vice Presidents/Pro/Deputy Vice Chancellors have the following WHS responsibilities: (47) Heads of Work Units have the following WHS responsibilities: (48) Managers and Supervisors have the following WHS responsibilities: (49) All employees and others have the following WHS responsibilities: (50) All relevant documentation will be recorded and kept in accordance with WHS Legislation and other legislative obligations including: (51) After a dive takes place, certain records must keep for legal reasons. These records must be kept for the minimum following duration: (52) Where a notifiable incident has occurred, the above records must be kept for a minimum of 2 years. (53) This procedure will be reviewed as per nominated review dates or because of other events, such as:HRP18: Diving and Underwater Work
Section 1 - Purpose and Scope
Section 2 - Definitions
Top of Page
Section 3 - General Principles
SCU Maritime Safety Diving Officer (MSDO)
Dive Coordinator
Snorkel Diving
Risk assessment
Minimum Fitness and Competency
Diver Classification
Field Trip Approval for Diving and Underwater Activities
Dive Plans and Diving Limits
Daily Diving Operations
Snorkelling
Dive Equipment
Stinger Suits
Personal Electrical Shark Deterrents
Emergency Procedures
Reporting Incidents
Boating Operations
University Scientific Diving Advisory Committee
Top of PageSection 4 - Roles and Responsibilities
SCU Vice Chancellor
Vice Presidents/Pro/Deputy Vice Chancellors
Head of Work Units
Managers and Supervisors
Employees and others
Top of PageSection 5 - Records of Documentation
Section 6 - Revision and approval history
Top of PageSection 7 - References
Top of Page
Section 8 - Related Documents