Canada Occupational Health and Safety Regulations (SOR/86-304)

Regulations are current to 2013-04-29 and last amended on 2012-12-07. Previous Versions

Use of Explosives

  • 18.49 (1) The initiation of underwater explosive charges at a dive site shall be under the direct control of the dive supervisor.

  • (2) A two-way voice communication system shall be provided when explosives are being used at a dive site, unless the voice communication system itself would pose a hazard.

  • SOR/98-456, s. 1.

Hyperbaric Chambers

18.50 Every employer shall ensure that a hyperbaric chamber meeting the requirements of CSA Standard CAN/CSA Z275.1-93, Hyperbaric Facilities, published in English in December 1993 and in French in January 1995, as amended from time to time, for Class A (double-lock type) hyperbaric chambers, is available and in operable condition whenever

  • (a) a decompression dive is occurring; or

  • (b) the depth of a dive is to exceed 40 m.

  • SOR/98-456, s. 1.

18.51 Every employer shall ensure that a hyperbaric chamber is operated by a qualified person.

  • SOR/98-456, s. 1.

Alternative Energy Sources

  • 18.52 (1) Every employer shall ensure that a second source of power capable of supplying sufficient power to operate all essential diving equipment is available in the event of failure of the primary power source.

  • (2) Every employer shall ensure that the second source of power referred to in subsection (1) is capable of

    • (a) being rapidly brought on line; and

    • (b) operating all equipment essential to the diving operation.

  • SOR/98-456, s. 1.

Surface Supply Type 2 Dives

18.53 Sections 18.54 to 18.62 apply to surface supply type 2 dives.

  • SOR/98-456, s. 1.

18.54 Where the planned depth of a dive does not exceed 40 m, there shall be at least three persons present at the dive site, of whom

  • (a) at least two are divers, one of whom is a standby diver; and

  • (b) at least one is a diver’s tender.

  • SOR/98-456, s. 1.

18.55 The diver’s tender or the standby diver of a diving operation, the depth of which does not exceed 40 m, shall be designated as the dive supervisor.

  • SOR/98-456, s. 1.

18.56 Where the planned depth of a dive exceeds 40 m, there shall be at least four persons at the dive site, of whom

  • (a) at least two are divers, one of whom is a standby diver;

  • (b) one is the dive supervisor; and

  • (c) one is the diver’s tender.

  • SOR/98-456, s. 1.