Flinders University Diving Policy

Preamble

1.1   Diving will be undertaken at the University in accordance with the requirements set out in this Policy. 

1.2   This Policy has been developed with reference to the South Australian Occupational Health, Safety and Welfare Act, 1986, Occupational Health Safety and Welfare Regulations, 1995, the University’s Occupational Health, Safety and Welfare Policy and the relevant Australian Standards. (Australian Standards are listed in Appendix 1.)

1.3   This Policy should be read in conjunction with the University’s Diving Procedures Manual.

Definition

For the purposes of this policy, diving includes both compressed air and snorkel (breath hold) diving operations.

Scope

3.1   This policy applies to any staff member, student, contractor or visitor involved in any aspect of underwater diving operations related to their role with the University.

3.2   Diving operations undertaken under the auspices of the University will only be authorised for the purposes of scientific research or scientific research as an educational activity1.

 Clause 1.5.35 of AS 2299.2 of 2002.

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Policy

4.1   Prior to any person undertaking any diving activity related to their role at Flinders University they will:

•         be appropriately qualified;
•         have certified that they have read and understood the Diving Procedures Manual; and
•         ensure they have registered with the University Dive Register.

4.2   All diving in the University will be undertaken in accordance with a dive plan which will be:

•         developed by the Dive Coordinator appointed for each dive team or dive operation;
•         endorsed by the University Diving Officer;
•         approved by the relevant Executive Dean, or nominee, in accordance with this Policy; and
•         retained in an accessible location under the management of the relevant Executive Dean.

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Responsibilities

5.1   General
All persons involved in diving in the University are responsible for ensuring that they do so in accordance with this Policy and the Diving Procedures Manual.

5.2   Specific responsibilities

5.2.1   Vice Chancellor
            As Responsible Officer under the Occupational Health, Safety & Welfare Act 1986, the Vice Chancellor will appoint a University Diving Officer (UDO).

5.2.2   Executive Deans of Faculty
The Executive Dean of a Faculty where diving activities take place is responsible for:

• ensuring that this Policy and the requirements of the University Diving Procedures Manual are implemented and complied with;
• appointing a Site Diving Officer (SDO) for the Faculty, or Academic Organisational Unit (AOU) where diving activities take place.  The Executive Dean may also nominate a Site Diving Officer for a particular dive site, research group or project;
• appointing a Dive Coordinator for each dive operation;
• approving Dive Plans for diving operations within the Faculty; and
• ensuring that dive records are kept in accordance with the requirements set out in the University Diving Procedures Manual.

5.2.3   University Diving Officer
A University Diving Officer (UDO) is responsible for:

• undertaking an annual audit of diving practices in conjunction with the occupational health and safety auditors to ensure compliance with the relevant standards;
• providing advice to Executive Deans in relation to approval of dive plans prepared by the Dive Coordinator;
• providing advice to the Vice-Chancellor on all aspects of diving, including the implementation of the relevant Australian Standards;
• maintaining appropriate records, in accordance with the Diving Procedures Manual; and
• meeting any other responsibilities as set out in the Diving Procedures Manual.

5.2.4   Site Diving Officer
The Site Diving Officer is responsible for:

•  assist with dive management tasks within the Faculty, AOU, site or group, including day to day monitoring;
• providing advice to staff and students within the designated area of operation on University policy and procedures as they relate to diving;
• reporting to the University Diving Officer and to the Occupational Health and Safety Unit all accidents, injuries and incidents, including Notifiable Events, that have been reported by the Dive Coordinator;
• maintaining appropriate records, in accordance with the Diving Procedures Manual; and
• other responsibilities as set out in the Diving Procedures Manual.

5.2.5   Dive Co-ordinator
The Dive Coordinator will be responsible for:

• preparing a dive plan, in accordance with the Diving Procedures Manual, for approval by the relevant Executive Dean, or nominee;
• undertaking, as part of the development of the dive plan, a risk assessment to ensure as far as practicable that all hazards are identified before the dive operation proceeds, ensuring that suitable measures to control any risks have been implemented, and at the site, will be responsible for day to day risk assessment;
• determining the most efficient means of obtaining medical assistance in the event of an accident during the dive;
• where relevant, briefing the ship’s master on the diving activities to be undertaken prior to the ship leaving port;
• being present at the dive operation and ensuring that activities are conducted in accordance with the dive plan;
• reporting all diving accidents, injuries or incidents to the Site Diving Officer;
• other responsibilities as set out in the Diving Procedures Manual.

5.2.6   Divers
All divers are responsible for:

•  complying with the University’s occupational health and safety policies and procedures, and in particular the diving procedures contained in the University Diving Manual;
• undertaking any diving activities in a manner which does not adversely affect their own health and safety, or that of others;
• complying with the relevant Field Trip Guidelines;
• reporting to the Dive Coordinator any matter which may affect their own health and safety, or that of others;
• reporting to the UDO or SDO any medical condition or injury that commenced or occurred since the last annual diving medical examination;
• maintaining an up to date log book; and
• meeting any other responsibilities set out in the Diving Procedures Manual.

5.2.7   Heads of Academic Organisational Units (AOUs)
Heads of AOUs are responsible for:

• ensuring that field trip procedures and safety check lists are developed, in accordance with the University Field Trip Guidelines www.flinders.edu.au/ohsw/FieldTrips-Links.html.
•  meeting any other responsibilities in relation to maintaining a safe research environment as set out in the Policy on Research Practice2.

5.2.8   Research Students and Research Student Supervisors
In accordance with the Research Higher Degree Policy and the Research Components of Coursework Postgraduate Awards Policy:

• supervisors will be responsible for ensuring that where a student’s research project involves any diving activity, it is conducted in accordance with the University’s occupational health and safety requirements; and
• students will be responsible for adopting, at all times, safe working practices relevant to the field of research in relation to any diving activity.

 www.flinders.edu.au/ppmanual/research/resprac.htm 

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Record Keeping

Records of diving activities undertaken at Flinders University will be maintained, in accordance with the Diving Procedures Manual, to assist in the management and safety of diving operations.

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Diving Procedures Manual

All staff, students, contractors and visitors, before undertaking any diving activity related to their role at Flinders University, are required to read, understand and comply with the University Diving Procedures Manual.  The Manual specifies the minimum requirements for all diving activities undertaken at Flinders University.

Review of Policy

This Policy will be reviewed regularly in the light of legislative and organisational changes, and in any case, every two years, in consultation with the University Occupational Health & Safety Committee.

Appendix A Australian Standards Relevant to Diving

AS/NZS 2299.1:2007
Occupational diving operations – Standard operational practice

AS/NZ 2299.2:2002
Occupational diving operations – Scientific diving

AS 2815
Training and certification of occupational divers (Parts 1 to 4)

AS 2030
Gas cylinder specifications (Part 1, 2 and 4)

AS 4005
Recreation diving set (Parts 1 to 5)

AS 3848.2:1999  
Filling of gas cylinders for diving