University Standard
Title
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Standard on Scientific Diving
Introduction
Purpose
The purpose of the Scientific Diving Standard is to ensure scientific research conducted under the auspices of the University is performed in a manner to protect employees and students from the hazards associated with scientific diving and develop procedures that employees and students must follow when performing research using scientific diving.
Scientific diving at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC-Chapel Hill) is required to adhere to levels of training, safety and oversight established by the American Academy of Underwater Sciences (AAUS).
Exemption from OSHA Commercial Diving Standards
As an Organizational Member (OM) of AAUS the University can claim the Scientific Exemption from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Commercial Diving Standards outlined in 29 CFR Part 1910 Subpart T through the UNC-Chapel Hill Scientific Diving Program. A list of regulations and guidance documents are included with this University Standards document to ensure that employees are provided access to the requirements for Scientific Diving at the University.
Scope
This standard applies to all UNC-Chapel Hill Faculty, Staff (includes all full-time, part-time, temporary), Students, and all contractors working on behalf of the University.
Standard
In accordance with the AAUS, which is accepted by the OSHA as the standards setting organization over Scientific Diving, the following requirements shall be met.
Operational Control
The University’s Diving Control Board (DCB) and Diving Safety Officer (DSO) develop and maintain a Diving Safety Manual that specifies how the University defines specific standards, policies and procedures required for the proper function of the University’s Scientific Diving Program that assesses environmental and working conditions unique to Scientific Diving by University employees/students. The UNC Chapel Hill Scientific Diving Program Diving Safety Manual (henceforth UNC-Chapel Hill Scientific Diving Safety Manual) meets or exceeds the AAUS standards and is reviewed and updated periodically to ensure compliance with current AAUS and UNC-Chapel Hill standards and guidelines.
The UNC-Chapel Hill Scientific Diving Safety Manual lists the required qualifications of the DSO and DCB members and provides detailed instructions for safe conduct of Scientific Diving that meet or exceed AAUS standards. Listed below are overviews of critical topics for the safe conduct of Scientific Diving that each employee/student, must be knowledgeable of and follow. The specifics of each topic are covered in detail in the UNC-Chapel Hill Scientific Diving Safety Manual. For the purposes of this standard, employee/student will henceforth be referred to as “diver”.
Active Scientific Diver
An “Active Scientific Diver” is defined as a scientific diver or scientific diver in training who meets all University AAUS training and proficiency requirements and is currently approved by the UNC-Chapel Hill Diving Control Board as an active scientific diver.
Scientific Diving Prerequisites
To be considered for the University’s scientific diving program, the diver must provide the following documents to the DSO for review and approval.
- Completed scientific diving program application
- Entry Level Diver Certification from a dive training agency recognized by the World Recreational Scuba Training Council (WRSTC)
- University/AAUS Medical examination form stating that the person is medically qualified to dive
- Logbook showing a minimum of 4 open water dives in the last 12 months
- Dive Accident Insurance (Divers Alert Network [DAN] Master level or equivalent)
- Dive equipment (Regulator, Buoyancy Control Device [BCD], and Dive Computer) annual service documentation
DSO will notify the diver by email regarding application approval.
Training
1. Initial Scientific Diver Certification
Before the diver can perform a scientific dive, the following training programs must be completed:
- Swimming/Watermanship Evaluation by DSO or their designee
- 100-hour AAUS scientific diving training class and a minimum of 12 documented open water training dives
- Diving First Aid (DFA), CPR, AED, O2 Administration, and Neurological Assessment certification (DAN DFA Pro or equivalent). with re-certification required every 2 years.
2. Maintaining Active Scientific Diver Status
To maintain active diver status, the diver must:
- Have current Diving First Aid, CPR, AED, O2 Administration, and Neurological Assessment certifications. (DAN DFA Pro or equivalent).
- Have a current dive medical exam based upon employee’s age, and be found medically qualified to dive, as specified in the UNC-Chapel Hill Scientific Diving Safety Manual. Required frequency depends on diver age.
- Have performed at least 12 scientific/proficiency dives in the previous 12 months.
- Have current Dive Accident Insurance (DAN Master level or equivalent).
- Provide documentation of dive equipment (Regulator, BCD, and Dive Computer) annual service.
3. Divers Transferring from another AAUS Organizational Member Institution
- Transferring diver should request a Verification of Training (VOT) from previous institution’s DSO to be sent to University’s DSO.
- Application is reviewed by the DSO with a majority vote of the DCB required to approve active diver status.
- Diver must complete an open water checkout dive with the DSO.
- Diver will be notified via email by the DSO regarding approval status.
Dive Plan Submission and Approval
Prior to any scientific dive under the auspices of the University, the lead diver must submit a dive plan for the proposed dive(s) to the DCB for approval. Generally, the dive plan should be submitted a minimum 4 weeks prior to the first planned dive. Complex dive plans including any diving involving non-AAUS organizations should be submitted at least 8 weeks in advance. In special cases where timely submission of the dive plan was not possible and/or time is critical, expedited review of dive plans can be requested. The dive plan should be planned around the competency of the least experienced diver and include the following as specified in the UNC-Chapel Hill Scientific Diving Safety Manual:
- Project’s Principal Investigator (PI) and/or Lead Diver
- Diving Mode(s) and Gas(es)
- Divers’ authorization
- Approximate number of proposed dives and locations
- Estimated depth(s) and bottom time(s) anticipated
- Decompression status and repetitive dive plan
- Proposed work, equipment, and boats to be employed
- Any hazardous conditions anticipated
- Emergency Action plan procedures
- In-water details
- Required Safety Equipment checklist
If a dive plan is approved, the PI/lead diver will receive written approval from the DCB denoting expiration three months from date of approval.
If the dive plan is not approved, the DCB will formally identify the reason(s) for denial. The PI/Lead Diver will have an opportunity to appeal and provide additional information necessary to seek approval within two weeks of the denial date. If the denial is not appealed or appealed and still not approved, the scientific dive(s) cannot occur under the auspices of the University. The DCB will formally communicate the denial to the Lead Diver, PI, Department Head, and Environment Health and Safety (EHS).
Revocation of Authorization
The DCB/DSO has the authority to restrict, suspend, or revoke the diver’s certification. The diver will receive a formal written reason(s) for revocation and the diver will be provided the opportunity to appeal. The diver may be reauthorized after complying with conditions specified by the DCB and documented in the diver’s University and AAUS OM record. EHS will be copied on all notifications regarding revocations.
Performing Scientific Diving
The authorized diver must ensure the following steps are taken before and after each dive.
- Conduct pre-dive safety check including inspection of equipment.
- Conduct pre-dive briefings reviewing driving procedures, environmental conditions and so forth.
- Conduct post dive safety check including reinspection of equipment.
- Conduct post dive briefing reviewing physical problems, environmental concerns and so forth.
Within 30 days of the conclusion of all diving associated with a specific dive plan, the Lead Diver should confirm all dives are logged and contact the DSO to “close out” the dive plan.
Recordkeeping
The DSO will maintain all records for individual scientific research divers such as training and medical examination results in accordance with AAUS . The diver can request copies of these records by contacting the DSO directly.
The diver will complete an attestation form through EHS compliance portal certifying that all requirements have been met along with uploading their “active status” letter received from the DSO. This attestation and uploading of documentation will need to be completed each time an “active status” letter is approved by the DSO.
EHS will maintain records of the attestation/active status letter of all scientific divers. Upon request, EHS will provide a list of all active “scientific diver” registered through a PI’s laboratory safety plan and training status.
The DCB will maintain records of board duties and dive program oversight as specified in the UNC-Chapel Hill Scientific Diving Safety Manual. These records include but are not limited to:
- Diving safety manual
- Equipment inspection, testing, and maintenance records
- Dive plans (project and/or individual)
- Records of dive (project and/or individual)
- Medical approval to dive; diver training records; diver authorization(s)
- Copies of individual dive logs;
- Dive incident reports;
- Reports of disciplinary actions by the DCB
PI or a designated lab representative will ensure accurate and timely reporting of scientific diving activities and required certifications and re-certifications of the group’s Scientific Divers. It is the responsibility of the individual diver to timely and accurately log all scientific program dives, and any/all incidents beyond normal diving operations during the course of scientific diving related activities.
Incident Reporting
Incidents that result in near misses/injury/illness or a reasonable threat thereof must be reported to the DCB and EHS in accordance with University’s Workers’ Compensation policy. Any incident resulting in death, hospitalization or amputation is to be reported immediately to the Director of Environment, Health and Safety during normal business hours (919-962-5507) and UNC-Chapel Hill Public Safety after business hours.
The DCB/DSO must also be notified within 24 hours of all diving incidents requiring recompression treatment, or resulting in moderate or serious injury, or death. The DCB/DSO must investigate, record, and report all diving incidents to AAUS.
International Travel
Travel health insurance is mandated for international travel under the auspices of UNC-Chapel Hill. This insurance program is administered by Risk Management. Coverage is strictly health related.
Employees traveling abroad must contact the University Employee Occupational Health Clinic (UEOHC) for review and determination of immunization requirements for area of travel.
Exceptions
Requests for exceptions to this Standard must be reviewed and approved by the DCB. However, any diver may deviate from the requirements of the University’s Scientific Diving standards to the extent necessary to prevent or minimize a situation likely to cause death, serious physical harm, or major environmental damage. A written report must be submitted to the DCB explaining the circumstances and justifications for the deviation(s) from Standards within 24 hours.
Definitions
DAN - Divers Alert Network
DFA - Diving First Aid
WRSTC - World Recreational Scuba Training Council
VOT - Verification of Training
BCD - Buoyancy Control Device
OM - Organizational Member
OSHA - Occupational Safety and Health Administration
EHS - Environment, Health and Safety
AAUS - American Academy of Underwater Sciences
DCB - Diving Control Board
DSO - Diving Safety Officer
UEOHC - University Employee Occupational Health Clinic
University Standard - The minimum acceptable limits or rules used to achieve Policy implementation, enforceable by the DCB.
UNC-Chapel Hill Scientific Diving Safety Manual - Standards document specifying how UNC-Chapel Hill defines specific standards, policies and procedures required for the proper function of the University’s scientific diving program
Related Requirements
External Regulations
Non-compliance with AAUS Standards can result in the University losing its organizational membership with AAUS and no longer being able to claim the Scientific Diving Exemption from the OSHA Commercial Diving Standards. The potential impact for non-compliance with this policy may result in external reporting to State/Federal regulatory agencies (OHSA), accrediting bodies (AAUS), reimbursement of research funds, and suspension of the University’s scientific diving privileges.
University Policies, Standards, and Procedures
Contact Information
Any questions regarding this standard should be directed to the Department of Environment, Health and Safety:
Unit: Environment, Health and Safety
Title: EHS Director and/or Workplace Safety
Website: ehs.unc.edu
Phone: 919-962-5507