Diving Risk Assessment Information

Overview

On commencement of the planning stage for any Flinders University Diving Project, the Dive Coordinator for the trip must ensure that a risk assessment for the field trip (including all aspects) is undertaken. All the diving requirements, paper work along with field trip risk assessment documentation is to be forwarded to the FDA then UDO for approval. Then the Dive Coordinator must submit the documents to the Dean of School for final approval prior to commencement of any diving. Where a risk assessment already exists for any project or task, the Dive Coordinator is responsible for reviewing this on a regular basis and updating when any of the Project/Task conditions or procedures alter in any substantial way e.g. where an increased risk may exist.

Responsibilities

The Dive Coordinator for a planned diving project or task is responsible for completing all risk assessments and ensuring that appropriate control measures are in place prior to commencement of work.

Risk assessments are expected to cover risks that are reasonably foreseeable.

The Dive Coordinator must perform a risk assessment on each section of any task to be undertaken, and document the findings on the Flinders University Risk Assessment form.

Forms of Hazard

Physical / Mechanical action, impact, electrical exposure, heat/cold, noise, vibration, explosion, lifting, manual handling, etc.
Chemical / Corrosive liquid, toxic gases, noxious fumes etc.
Ergonomic / Height of workbench, design of chair, set-up of a work station, manual handling etc.
Radiation / x-ray machine, infrared beams, sun UV
Psychological / Stress from using equipment without proper training or instruction, interpersonal conflict
Biological / Sharps, specimen containers carrying infected material, viruses from A/C system
Sources / EnvironmentSubstancesEquipment/plant Work systems

Control Hierarchy

Elimination / Remove hazard. If not possible, or where another control cannot be implemented which substantially reduces the risk, no diving will take place.
Substitution / Use an alternative method of work.
Isolation / Restrict access
Engineering / Ensure that plant and procedures are set up to minimise a risk. e.g. separate divers from a hazard.
Administration / Ensure administrative processes are in place to minimise risks where applicable. e.g. field reporting procedures. All divers must be trained in work procedures offering greatest safety.
PPE - Personal
Protective Equipment / Ensure that personal protective equipment is more than adequate for its intended purpose. e.g. wetsuits are of adequate thickness for task/temperature, or dry suits are worn.

Examples of control

Hazard / Type of Control / Description
Cold water / Substitution / Replace wetsuits for dry suits, thicker wetsuits
Barotrauma / Admin./training / Ensure divers are adequately trained and experienced, and able to cope with foreseeable emergency situations
Blue Green Algae / Design / Separate diver from the hazard using a dry suit and a lock on helmet. Use decontamination procedures.
Current/Tide / Elimination/
Design / Dive only at slack water if tidal current. Use adequate harness and lifeline in all cases. Buoy divers if free swimming, and work vessel ‘live’.
CO poisoning / Elimination / Ensure that plant is set up in such a way that CO poisoning risk is removed. e.g. use SCUBA instead of SSBA compressor supplied air.

Communication

The Dive Coordinator must ensure that copies of the risk assessment are made available to all participants undertaking the assessed tasks, or who are involved in the project.

The Dive Coordinator must also ensure that each member of their project team has been made aware of all risks outlined in the Risk Assessment, and that all individuals are informed of the appropriate risk control measures to be followed in every situation.

Safe Operating Procedures

Relevant safe work practices/procedures must be developed for all projects as appropriate. Wherever possible, existing Flinders University OHS procedures should be used.

Review of Risk assessments

A Risk Assessment must be reviewed at any time when information indicates that it is no longer valid, but at least at intervals not exceeding two years. The Dive Coordinator for a given project is responsible for determining the need for any review of a Risk Assessment.

Records

Dive Coordinators will need to record hazards, risks and controls on the risk assessment form and combine it with their field trip documentation. Risk assessments need to have separate sections about boating, diving & underwater tasks. Copies of completed Risk Assessment Forms and related diving forms/documents i.e. SOP’s, must be retained by the FDA.

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Hazard Checklist – DIVING
The following checklist of hazards and other items should be considered when planning diving work:

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Hazard Checklist – DIVING
The following checklist of hazards and other items should be considered when planning diving work:

Task related factors
free-swimming survey work
quadrat survey work
transect survey work
lifting with lift bags
suction sampling with air lift
sample collecting
enclosed diving (caving/wrecks)
hydraulic/pneumatic tools
explosive tools
cutting or welding
photography
boat handling/unguarded propellers
shipping movement
manual handling
pressure differentials/suction
entrapment
entry/exit methods
lifeline entanglement
dive profiles
sufficient trained personnel
Fauna & Flora
stinging animals (marine)
other dangerous marine animals
handling of small animals
handling of large animals
Hyperbaric/Physiological Factors
Illness, colds and flu
recent alcohol consumption/hangover
depths > 9 metres
bottom times longer
First Aid requirements
first aider in group?
first aid kit in tow vehicle
first aid kit in boat
oxygen kit in boat
O2 cylinder (adequate size?)
any additional items required?
Pre/post dive clothing
sun hat
towel
winter clothing (all year)
trousers/overalls
wet weather equipment
appropriate footwear
Pre & post dive factors
pre dive fitness
fatigue
dehydration
drugs/alcohol
exercise
cold temperature
sleep deprivation / Dive Team
size
composition
experience of each individual
fitness
individual medical conditions
Personal protection
adequate exposure protection
adequate exposure protection
(e.g. exp. suit, gloves, boots, hood)
harness (SSBA/tethered SCUBA)
overgloves
lycra suit
overalls over wetsuit/dry suit
welding visor
adequate clothing for Dive Attendant
Personal
sunburn
heat stress
cold stress
manual handling, lifting
striking and grasping
slips and trips
mental stress
personal security and safety
individual medical conditions?
Transport
tow vehicles and vessels
aircraft
fuel requirements
launch and retrieval of vessel
tow vehicle size/capability
vessel size
vessel engine size
safety equipment aboard?
secure from theft?
radio and operator present?
driver/cox’n licensing
flying after diving
sea conditions on way to site
Underwater Navigation
training
diver experience
direction determination
visibility
Communication
between participants
with locals
with nominated contact
training and experience
equipment types available?
underwater radio comms?
lifelinecomms. - familiarity with standard signals
Tides and Weather – general
tide data
met. bureau forecasts
radio broadcasts / Essential site information
wind and sea state
current/tide at site/ on way to site
air and water temperatures
time of day
maximum depth of site
maximum depth of dive/s
contaminants/biological hazards
entrapment hazards
underwater terrain
isolation – remote sites
floating hazards
sun/ice
altitude
Emergency Response Factors
location/availability of emergency medical system
emergency response/evacuation plan
trapped/lost diver
communications
barotraumas of ascent/descent
decompression illness
hypothermia
hyperthermia
CO poisoning
CO2 poisoning
Nitrogen narcosis
O2 toxicity
drowning
exhaustion
cross infection
Fire and Explosion
flammable substances
explosives
extinguisher in vessel
combustibles on vessel
containment
Thermal hazards
cryogenic fluids
hypothermia
heatstroke
Electrical
high voltage equipment
e.g. generator
240v electrical equipment
Overseas fieldwork
disease
vaccinations
political climate
Visa and passports
Other (specify)
GPS
magnetometer
side scan sonar
underwater scooter
manta tow

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