Canada Oil and Gas Diving Regulations (SOR/88-600)

Communication Systems

• 13 (1) Subject to subsection (2), no diving contractor shall conduct a diving operation unless there is available for use in the diving operation

  • (a) for communications between the supervisor of the diving operation and any diver or pilot involved in the diving operation

    • (i) a primary communication system that has

      • (A) sound reproduction adequate to enable breathing to be clearly heard and oral communications to be clearly heard and understandable, and

      • (B) a recording device that continuously records all oral communications while a dive is in progress, and

    • (ii) a secondary communication system that allows the supervisor and the divers or pilots to communicate orally in the event of a failure of the primary communication system; and

  • (b) for communications between the supervisor and any person involved in, or in a position to assist in, the diving operation, other than the divers and pilots referred to in paragraph (a), a communication system that meets the requirements of paragraph 6(1)(f).

• (2) Subsection (1) does not apply to a diving operation where SCUBA is used and where it is impracticable to use the communication systems referred to in that subsection, in which case no diving contractor shall conduct such a diving operation unless there is available for use in the diving operation an alternative method of communication that is adequate for the type of diving operation and that the supervisor of the diving operation considers suitable for the diving operation.

Pressure Vessels

14 No diving contractor who conducts a diving operation shall use or permit to be used in the diving operation a pressure vessel intended for human occupancy unless the pressure vessel is equipped with

• (a) a breathing mask for each occupant of the pressure vessel;

• (b) a means of maintaining the oxygen, carbon dioxide, temperature and humidity in the pressure vessel at levels and pressures that are safe for the occupants; and

• (c) for use in an emergency, a back-up capability to maintain the levels and pressures referred to in paragraph (b) for a minimum of, in the case of a diving bell or the compression chamber of a diving submersible, 24 hours and, in any other case, 48 hours.

Compression Chambers

15 No diving contractor who conducts a diving operation shall use or permit to be used a compression chamber in the diving operation unless the compression chamber

• (a) meets the requirements of section 14;

• (b) is designed and constructed in accordance with an acceptable standard;

• (c) provides a suitable environment for its occupants, including amenities appropriate to the type, depth and duration of the diving operation;

• (d) is equipped with doors that act as pressure seals and that can be opened from both the inside and the outside;

• (e) is designed to minimize the risk of fire and

  • (i) is constructed of only non-combustible or fire-resistant materials, and

  • (ii) is equipped with suitable firefighting capabilities;

• (f) is fitted with adequate equipment, including facilities for

  • (i) supplying to and maintaining for its occupants an appropriate breathing mixture,

  • (ii) lighting and heating the compression chamber, and

  • (iii) removing carbon dioxide;

• (g) is equipped with valves, gauges and other fittings necessary to indicate and control the internal pressures of each compartment from outside the compression chamber;

• (h) is fitted with piping that has at least one external shut-off valve, where practicable, immediately outside the point at which the piping enters the compression chamber and one internal shut-off valve immediately inside that point;

• (i) is fitted with hull integrity valves that clearly indicate whether the valves are in the open or closed position and that are clearly labelled by name and number;

• (j) other than a diving bell and the compression chamber of a diving submersible, is equipped with a built-in breathing system that permits outside dumping of exhaled gas;

• (k) where appropriate, is equipped with an emergency shut-off valve that automatically shuts off the flow of gas from the compression chamber if the velocity or volume of gas exceeds the preset limit;

• (l) is equipped with relief valves resistant to marine corrosion;

• (m) has all of its internal electrical wiring insulated and in conduit, except for the wiring for low-power devices such as telephones;

• (n) is cleaned and disinfected using only products that are

  • (i) recommended by the manufacturer for that type of use,

  • (ii) well proven for that purpose,

  • (iii) non-toxic at any pressure,

  • (iv) non-corrosive, and

  • (v) safe to use;

• (o) where used in a category II dive or a category III dive or, where practicable, in a category I dive, is provided with a coupling arrangement that is suitable for the safe transfer of persons under pressure and that is designed to prevent accidental release;

• (p) is provided with a clamping mechanism that

  • (i) is suitable for coupling a diving bell with the surface compression chamber,

  • (ii) clearly indicates when the clamping mechanism is fully engaged, and

  • (iii) cannot be disengaged while pressurized;

• (q) is supplied with breathing mixture through a gas control panel that

  • (i) has distinct indicators of the function of each valve and gauge, and

  • (ii) is designed so as to minimize the possibility of supplying an incorrect breathing mixture;

• (r) if manufactured after December 31, 1990,

  • (i) is fitted with a device to record continuously and to preserve at least the last recorded four hours of data respecting temperature, oxygen levels, depth, time and oral communications and, where practicable, carbon dioxide and humidity levels, and

  • (ii) where practicable, is provided with a means to permit video monitoring of its occupants; and

• (s) if manufactured on or before December 31, 1990, meets the requirements set out in paragraph (r) where the Minister so determines pursuant to paragraph 3.2(1)(b) of the Act.

Surface Compression Chambers

16 No diving contractor who conducts a diving operation shall use or permit to be used a surface compression chamber in the diving operation unless the surface compression chamber

• (a) meets the requirements of sections 14 and 15;

• (b) contains at least two independently sealable compartments;

• (c) contains sufficient space in at least one of its compartments to enable each occupant to lie down comfortably in the compartment;

• (d) where a person will be in the surface compression chamber for a period of eight consecutive hours or less, has an internal vertical diameter of at least 1.5 m;

• (e) where a person will be in the surface compression chamber for a period of more than eight consecutive hours, has an internal vertical diameter of at least 2 m;

• (f) is equipped with a medical lock;

• (g) where the surface compression chamber will be used for a period of more than 12 consecutive hours, has adequate sanitation facilities;

• (h) if manufactured after December 31, 1990, is fitted with a through-hull connector suitable for medical monitoring of its occupants; and

• (i) if manufactured on or before December 31, 1990, meets the requirements of paragraph (h) where the Minister so determines pursuant to paragraph 3.2(1)(b) of the Act.

Diving Bells

17 No diving contractor who conducts a diving operation shall use or permit to be used a diving bell in the diving operation unless the diving bell

• (a) meets the requirements of sections 14 and 15;

• (b) is equipped to permit the safe transfer of persons under pressure to and from a surface compression chamber;

• (c) is of a design that

  • (i) provides for an internal space of at least 2 m³ for two-person occupancy and 3 m³ for three-person occupancy,

  • (ii) enables divers to enter and exit without difficulty, and

  • (iii) allows at least two divers dressed-in for a diving operation to be seated comfortably therein;

• (d) is equipped with valves, gauges and other fittings necessary to control the internal pressure and to indicate both inside the diving bell and at the diving station the internal and external pressures;

• (e) is so equipped that any valve used to pressurize the diving bell is spring-loaded so as to close when not held in the open position;

• (f) contains adequate equipment, including reserve facilities, for supplying the appropriate breathing mixture to persons occupying or working from the diving bell, which reserve facilities shall be protected against inadvertent operation and be capable of being brought on-line from inside the diving bell without the assistance of any other person;

• (g) is equipped with a two-way oral communication system by means of which a person inside the diving bell can communicate with the diving supervisor of the diving operation and, via the diving supervisor, with other persons;

• (h) contains equipment for lighting and heating the diving bell;

• (i) is equipped with suitable emergency life-support equipment and provisions for each occupant of the diving bell;

• (j) is equipped with a lifting device sufficient to enable an unconscious or injured diver to be hoisted into the diving bell by a person located in it;

• (k) is provided with lifting equipment that enables the diving bell to be lowered to the depth at which the diving operation is to be conducted, to be maintained in its position and to be raised, all without excessive lateral, vertical or rotational movement;

• (l) is provided with a means whereby, in the event of the failure of the lifting equipment referred to in paragraph (k), the diving bell can be returned to the surface and, where that means involves the shedding of weights, the controls for that shedding can be operated from within the diving bell, and a means is incorporated to prevent the accidental shedding of those weights;

• (m) in addition to a primary lifting cable, is equipped with a suitable tag rope so designed that, in the event the primary cable breaks during a water-air interface transport, the tag rope will not permit the diving bell to descend to a depth greater than 25 m;

• (n) is equipped with a secondary lifting eye, or similar device that is of at least the same strength as the primary lifting eye, and is provided with a secondary lifting cable that is readily available and that has at least the same strength as the primary lifting cable and is compatible with the secondary lifting eye or similar device;

• (o) is fitted with equipment to enable occupants of the diving bell to monitor the temperature, oxygen and carbon dioxide levels within the diving bell;

• (p) is equipped with a stroboscopic light that is automatically activated in the water and a pinger that operates at a frequency of 37.5 kHz;

• (q) where the Minister so determines pursuant to paragraph 3.2(1)(b) of the Act, is fitted with a relocation transponder system that operates at a frequency of 37.5 kHz;

• (r) where appropriate, is fitted with hull integrity valves and non-return valves on all gas and, where practicable, hot-water circuits connected to the diving bell;

• (s) if manufactured after December 31, 1990,

  • (i) is so designed that, if necessary, a diver within the diving bell can

    • (A) disconnect or shear the primary lifting cable and the umbilical,

    • (B) disconnect or shear any other attachments that might prevent ascent,

    • (C) start, accelerate, decelerate or stop the ascent, and

    • (D) where practicable, start, accelerate, decelerate or stop the descent, and

  • (ii) is fitted with a device to record continuously and to preserve at least the last recorded four hours of data respecting temperature, oxygen levels, depth, time, oral communications, internal and external ambient pressure, and the quantity of breathing mixture and electrical power available for use in an emergency and, where practicable, carbon dioxide and humidity levels; and

• (t) if manufactured on or before December 31, 1990, meets the requirements set out in paragraph (s) where the Minister so determines pursuant to paragraph 3.2(1)(b) of the Act.

Diving Submersibles

18 No diving contractor who conducts a diving operation shall use or permit to be used a diving submersible in the diving operation unless

• (a) the compression chamber of the diving submersible meets the requirements of sections 14, 15 and 17, except paragraphs 17(k) to (n) and subparagraph 17(s)(i);

• (b) during any period in which the diving submersible is in use, it is

  • (i) resting on the bottom,

  • (ii) firmly secured at or near the work site where it is to be used, or

  • (iii) secured in such a manner as the Minister determines pursuant to paragraph 3.2(1)(b) of the Act or as approved in accordance with section 5 for the diving program of which the diving operation is a part;

• (c) there is a means of maintaining at a safe level the body temperature of a person in the compression chamber of the diving submersible and a person in the water making a dive from the diving submersible; and

• (d) a diver is present in the compression chamber of the diving submersible at any time that a dive is in progress.