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3 Man Dive Team Where did it come from?

Where it Came From and How it is Spreading.

From the ADCI Revision 6 Consensus Standard.

“4.3.1 SURFACE-SUPPLIED AIR DIVING 0-100 fsw (0-30m) WITH NO

DECOMPRESSION

The following are minimum requirements for surface-supplied air diving operations:(from page 67 ADCI Comenius Standards Revision 6)

1. Minimum Personnel

The minimum number of personnel comprising a dive team is never less than three (3);

however, planning must take into consideration not only the direct requirements of the work to be performed, but also additional factors either known or suspected that may lead to complications during the conduct of the intended operation. Merely because a dive team comprised of three persons may be adequate during one operation does not mean the same number of persons will be sufficient to accommodate the requirements of another operation.”

The above is not based on any written CFR, Coast Guard or OSHA. It is based on an Interpretation.

"U.S. Department of Labor
Occupational Safety and Health Administration

Washington, D.C. 20210

Oct. 29, 1996

Reply to the attention of:

Mr. Ross Saxon, Executive Director

Association of Diving Contractors, Inc.

2611 FM 1960 West, Suite F-204

Houston, Texas 77068

Dear Mr. Saxon:

This is in response to your request for an interpretation of OSHA’s Commercial Diving standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart T), regarding the minimum number of dive team members required to support air dives using scuba equipment and surface-supplied diving equipment. In establishing the required number of dive team members required for a particular situation, proper consideration must be given to §1910.412(d) — “Planning assessment”, §1910.421(e) — “Hazardous activities”, and §1910.422(a)(3) which requires providing a means to assist an injured diver from the water or into a bell.

Commercial scuba air diving requires a minimum of three (3) dive team members as follows: designated person-in-charge (DPIC) sometimes referred to as the diving supervisor [§1910.410©], a stand-by diver [§1910.424©(1)], and a line-tended diver [§1910.424©(2)]. The stand-by diver can be the DPIC provided that he/she is a qualified diver, and that the third dive team member is trained and capable of performing all necessary functions of the DPIC while the DPIC is in the water as the stand-by diver. The stand-by-diver can also be the tender provided that he/she is a qualified diver; in this case, the DPIC would assume tending duties when the stand-by-diver is in the water.

Commercial surface-supplied air diving requires a minimum of three (3) dive team members as follows: DPIC sometimes referred to as the diving supervisor [§1910.410©], and a diver who “shall be continuously tended (by a tender) while in the water” [§1910.425©(1)]. For surface-supplied air diving which is 100 feet or less and does not involve scheduled decompression, a stand-by-diver is not a specified requirement for all dives. Also, based upon the requirements of §1910.421(d), “Planning and assessment”, the hazard analysis/assessment of the dive may dictate the use of a stand-by-diver even though not specifically required (e.g., underwater debris, suctions, no free access to the surface, possibility of diver entanglement, bottom conditions unknown).

Should you require additional clarification, please contact Mr. Steve Butler at (202) 219-8131 x154 or myself at (202) 219-7234 x141.

Sincerely,

Larry Liberatore

Director, Maritime Safety Standards"

OSHA cannot write CFRs but they can make an interpretation. The CFR clearly states that each diver must be continuously tended by a separate team member. Yet OSHA and the ADCI interpret that to mean that in an emergency you don't need a Supervisor or a Tender. As a diver and a supervisor I will state flatly that is the most important time to have a 5 man team

The above OSHA Interpretation is being used around the world by ADCI Companies and their customers to justify bidding work in under 100' with no decompression chamber and a three man team. We know this is not Safe!

Sign My Petition!

No. 1 regards the OSHA and Coast Guard investigation and reporting:

We the undersigned, require that the Coast Guard and OSHA, as regulatory bodies for the commercial diving industry, be charged with the investigation and reporting of all incidents occurring on any commercial diving operation in a timely manner.

No. 2 removes the 3 man team.

We the undersigned, require that a minimum five man team manning level be a requirement of law, and must consist of:

• One certificated diving supervisor

• One certificated diver

• One certificated standby diver

• Two qualified diving tenders

We also require that for mixed gas diving operations, an additional dedicated surface gas rack operator be mandatory.

No. 3 regards Dive Supervisor (certificate) Licensing:

We the undersigned, require the Coast Guard and OSHA set up a Licensing system for Dive Supervisors. It should have legal standing under law. This license should be revocable and the licensees subject to law for gross negligence. At this time a SCUBA Certification has more standing under U.S. Law than an ADCI or IMCA Supervisor Card.

http://www.gopetitio...vers-lives.html


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Mark Longstreath

The increase of minimum dive team to 5 is absolutely essential worldwide. Many deaths could have been prevented by this step. It is something that we should pursue as a priority.

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Hal Lomax

I have to agree with Mark here - a very high percentage of recorded incidents would have either not occurred, or been far less severe had there been sufficient personnel on the crew. The importance of proper manning levels cannot be over-stressed.

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Obsolete

This is of course a complete nonsense and a cynical cost-cutting excercise apparently intiated by the mentally challenged and endorsed by an accountant. with a shallow pocket!

Where's the Common Sense?

I am also incredulous that the insurance companies contracted by the diving contractors permit this aberration!

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