Ensure that Members of the Workforce complete the required training identified in ESH100.2.IH.6 prior to performing the indicated work activity or fulfilling the indicated role.

Note: See Sandia corporate procedure HR100.2.1, Identify and Complete Sandia Required Training for all Members of the Workforce.

Ensure that:

• An adequate number of dive coordinators, with sufficient experience, are assigned to supervise all diving operations.
• A site-specific Safe Practices Manual is developed and implemented which includes the following:
  • A copy of 29 CFR 1910, Subpart T, Commercial Diving Operations.
  • Procedures and checklists for each type of diving operation which address the requirements of this section.
  • Assignments and responsibilities of dive team members.
  • List of required equipment with manufacturer operation and maintenance manuals.
  • Emergency procedures for fire, equipment failure, illness, or injury.
• All dive team members are enrolled and removed in the Medical Surveillance Program for divers, as specified in HR100.4.7, Participate in Medical Monitoring/Surveillance,by contacting SNL Health Services.

Ensure that:

• A site-specificSafe Practices Manual is implemented, updated, and maintained at the dive site.
• Dive team members receive training in the proper use of equipment, tools, and techniques of the diving mode.
• Dive team members are assigned to diving operation in accordance with their training and experience.
• Dive team members are supervised to ensure competency and accuracy in assignments.
• Required equipment is available.
• When planning a diving operation, an assessment of the safety and health aspects is performed to include the following:
  • Diving mode.
  • Surface and underwater conditions and hazards.
  • Breathing gas supply (including reserves), if applicable.
  • Thermal protection.
  • Diving equipment and systems.
  • Dive team assignments and physical fitness of Dive team members, including any known impairments.
  • Repetitive dive designation or residual inert gas status of dive team members, if applicable.
  • Decompression and treatment procedures (including altitude corrections), if applicable.
  • Emergency procedures.
• You are present at the dive location and in charge of all aspects of the diving operation affecting the safety and health of dive team members.
• Emergency response equipment and accurate information is available at each dive location for all dive team members to review prior to the dive.
• Emergency equipment and information includes:
  • List of emergency aid facilities, hospitals, available physicians, and transportation available at the location.
    • For diving operations at SNL, list 911 for emergency.
    • For diving operations offsite, obtain the site-specific emergency contact numbers including the nearest U.S. Coast Guard Rescue Coordination Center, if applicable.
  • A first aid kit consistent with the dangers posed by diving, and approved by SNL Health Services.
  • An American Red Cross standard first aid handbook, or equivalent.
  • A bag-type manual resuscitator with transparent mask and tubing.
• Each piece of equipment is maintained in excellent working condition, and inspected and tested prior to each dive, and the inspection and testing is logged on the appropriate checklist.
• Modifications or repairs, indicating the type of repair performed, the date of the repair, and the initials of the person performing the repairs are logged.
• A dive is terminated when any of the following situations occur:
  • A diver requests termination.
  • A diver fails to answer or respond correctly to communications or signals from a Dive Team Member.
  • Communication is lost and cannot be quickly re-established.
  • A diver begins to use diver-carried reserve breathing gas or the dive location reserve breathing gas.
• After every dive:
  • Check the physical condition of each diver
  • Instruct divers to report any physical problems.
  • Alert divers to the potential hazards of flying after diving.
• For each dive performed, a record is maintained which includes the following:
  • Names of dive team members and the supervisor in charge.
  • Date, time, and location of dive.
  • Diving modes used.
  • General nature of work performed.
  • Approximate underwater time and water conditions.
  • Maximum depth and bottom time for each diver.

• For each dive as appropriate, the following records are maintained:
  • Dive profiles for each diver, including depth-time, gas change schedules, and decompression tables.
  • Decompression tables, repetitive tables, and no-decompression limits tables.

• Perform diving operations in accordance with the site-specific Safe Practices Manual.
• Report to the dive coordinator if at any time the assigned dive exceeds their level of experience or training.
• Report any physical problems after a dive to the dive coordinator.

Ensure that:

• Diving will not be conducted at depths greater than 130 feet of seawater.
• Diving will not be conducted at depths greater than 100 feet of seawater unless a decompression chamber is available.
• Diving will not be conducted against currents exceeding one knot unless diver is line-tended or enclosed.
• A standby diver will be on location while a diver is in the water.
• A diver will be line-tended or accompanied by another diver in continuous visual contact in water depths greater than 6 feet.
• A diver will be stationed at the underwater point of entry when diving is conducted in enclosed or physically confining spaces.
• A diver-carried reserve breathing gas supply will be provided for each diver, consisting of one of the following:
  • A manual reserve (J valve).
  • An independent reserve cylinder with a separate regulator or connected to the underwater breathing apparatus.
• Air supplied from a SCUBA tank to a diver meets the requirements for Grade D air described in the American National Standards Institute (ANSI)/Compressed Gas Association (CGA) Commodity Specification for Air, G-7.1-2004.
• The valve of the reserve breathing apparatus is in the closed position prior to the dive.
• Physics or physiology training is provided for those exposed to, or who control the exposure of others to, hyperbaric conditions.
• Flotation devices capable of being inflated and maintaining the diver at the surface in a face-up position are used. This inflatable flotation device will have:
  • A manually activated inflation source independent of the breathing supply.
  • An oral inflation device, and
  • An exhaust valve.
• A buoyancy compensator will have an inflation source separate from the breathing gas supply.
• SCUBA tanks are stored in a secure manner to prevent falling or being knocked over.
• Each SCUBA diver wears a cylinder pressure gauge capable of being monitored by the diver during the dive.

Ensure that:

• Each diver is continuously tended while in the water.
• A diver will be stationed at the underwater point of entry when diving is conducted in enclosed or physically confining spaces.
• Air compressors are fitted with a volume tank with a check valve on the inlet side, a pressure gauge, a relief valve, and a drain valve.
• Air compressors comply with the following:
  • Each inlet is located away from areas containing exhaust gas or other contaminants.
  • Respirable air from the air compressor that is supplied to a diver meets the requirements for Grade D air described in the American National Standards Institute (ANSI)/Compressed Gas Association (CGA) Commodity Specification for Air, G-7.1-2004.
  • The air at the outlet of the air compressor system is tested for air purity every 6 months.
    • At SNL/NM, the division ES&H team industrial hygienist is contacted to arrange for testing of breathing air.
  • Hoses have a rated bursting pressure at least equal to 4 times the working pressure.
  • Hoses are tested at least annually to 1.5 times their working pressure.
  • All hoses have the ends taped, capped, or plugged when not in use.
  • Hose connectors are made of corrosion-resistant material and designed in such a way as to prevent accidental disengagement.
  • Masks and helmets for surface-supplied air and mixed gas are equipped with an exhaust valve and a non-return valve.
  • Exhaust and non-return valves will be located at the attachment point between the helmet or mask and hose and will close readily and positively.
  •  Masks and helmets will have a minimum ventilation rate of 4.5 actual cubic feet per minute at any depth at which they are operated.

Note: For assistance on compliance issues, Members of the Workforce should contact the diving DME.