Risk assessment process for occupational dive work example

Record of risk management process to be carried out in accordance with the Work Health and
Safety Regulation 2011.

Date of assessment:

Date/times of work:

Work to be undertaken for:

Work to be undertaken:

Site location:

Name of person conducting risk assessment Competency determined by

process

Names of divers participating in underwater Competency determined by

diving work
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Name of all other people involved in the Role

work
1.
2.
3.

PN12752 Last updated 25 November 2021 – Risk assessment process for occupational dive work example 1
Probability scale

Level Description Example

6 Almost certain Almost always occurs
5 Likely Expected, occurs repeatedly
4 Probable Not a surprise, will occur several times
3 Possible Could occur sometimes
2 Remote Unlikely, though conceivable
1 Improbable So unlikely that the probability is close to zero

Severity scale

Level Description Example

6 Extreme Multiple deaths
5 High Death
4 Moderate Major injury
3 Low Injury causing a person to lose over three days work
2 Very low Injury causing a person to lose less than three days work
1 Not significant No significant injury

Risk rating table

Hazard - severity

6 5 4 3 2 1

6 36 30 24 18 12 6

5 30 25 20 15 10 5
Risk -
probability of 4 24 20 16 12 8 4
occurrence
3 18 15 12 9 6 3

2 12 10 8 6 4 2

1 6 5 4 3 2 1

*Reproduced with the permission of the Australian Diver Accreditation Scheme (ADAS)

Assess the probability of each hazard occurring and the severity of the consequences if that
hazard occurs, based on the assessment tables above.

If the risk assessment produces a ‘risk rating’ above nine (area in light blue) no diving should take
place, until additional control measures are implemented to reduce the risk.

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When preparing the risk assessment refer to the following checklist of occupational diving related issues, mechanisms of injury and physical factors
which can lead to harm.

The list is not intended to be exhaustive, nor will every item relate to every workplace. You should conduct risk assessments for work tasks and
manage the risks you find.

Risk assessment and control measures

Level of diver competence

Post Post Assessed

Assessed Assessed Assessed
Identified hazard Risk control control control risk after
severity probability risk
severity probability control

• Qualifications register maintained.

No proof of competence 5 5 25 • Copies of each divers’ appropriate proof 4 2 8
of competency held.
• Induction procedures to ensure familiarity
Inexperience with the specific with the systems of work, including in
5 5 25 4 2 8
system of work water familiarisation.
• Ongoing review, training and drills.

Environmental conditions
Post Post Assessed
Assessed Assessed Assessed
Identified hazard Risk control control control risk after
severity probability risk
severity probability control
• Surface support to monitor conditions
and recall divers if adverse conditions
occur.
• Assessed daily with the dive plan.
Strength and direction of wind
4 4 16 • Sites chosen to reduce the impact from 3 3 9
(consider emergency response)
wind.
• Diving aborted in dangerous conditions.
• Abort diving when forecasted wind is
>33knots.
• Surface support to monitor conditions
and recall divers if adverse conditions
occur.
Surface conditions 4 4 16 3 3 9
• Assessed daily with the dive plan.
• Sites chosen to reduce the impact from
wave action.
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 • Abort diving where the wave height is >
2m.
• Assessed daily with the dive plan.
• Consider adjusting the dive schedule to
Current and tide 4 3 12 3 2 6
allow for diving at slack tide.
• Abort diving when currents are >2knots.
• Assessed daily with the dive plan.
• Buddy separation distances reduced.
Underwater visibility 3 3 9 3 2 6
• Divers conducting tethered (SSBA)
diving.
• Divers carry a knife to free themselves
Entrapment hazard 5 3 15 from entanglements. 3 2 6
• Divers avoid entrapment situations.
• Divers not to exceed maximum planned
depths.
Depth of worksite 4 3 12 4 2 8
• Times reduced when operating at deeper
sites.
• Divers wear suitable exposure protection
Water temperature 4 2 8 2 2 4
for the conditions.
• All diving to be completed prior to 5pm.
Time of day 3 4 12 • Night diving only permitted with approval 3 2 6
from the operations manager.
• Monitor depths.
Underwater terrain 3 3 9 • Consider the effects on dive profiles from 3 2 6
moving over ridges and coral bommies.
Atmospheric temperature and
3 4 12 • Provide shaded areas or PPE. 2 3 6
humidity • Hydration policy.
• Consider additional PPE) if contaminants
Contaminants 4 3 12 3 3 9
are present.
• Daily radio checks.
• Communications systems functioning
properly.
Isolation of dive site 5 3 15 3 3 9
• Test emergency plans to ensure they are
effective.
• Check First aid, oxygen and defibrillator .

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 Task related conditions
Post Post Assessed
Assessed Assessed Assessed
Identified hazard Risk control control control risk after
severity probability risk
severity probability control
• Dive equipment serviced as per
manufacturers recommendations.
• Divers to carry a redundant air source.
• Hydrostatically test all cylinders every 12
months.
• Divers have a quick release weight
No system to monitor and maintain
system.
diving plant (e.g. air supply,
• Pre-dive equipment checks conducted.
secondary air supply, emergency
air supply, personal protective
5 4 20 • All diving equipment to be in working 4 2 8
equipment, air hose and order.
attachments and weight system) • Check compressor daily and service
annually with oil and filters changed as
required.
• Check air hoses daily for damage prior to
use and service annually.
• Divers carry a Surface Marker Buoy and
audible signalling device.
• Surface support in place at all times and
solely engaged as the lookout.
No safe system of work to assess • All divers confirm that they are fit to dive
diving personnel (e.g. number of daily.
4 4 16 4 2 8
divers, fitness, competence, roles, • Induction procedures to ensure divers
responsibilities, and duties) have the requisite fitness and have been
shown how to complete the work.
• Qualifications register maintained.
• No decompression diving conducted
unless prior approval from the operations
manager is granted.
No safe systems of work (e.g.
• All dives conducted using approved dive
decompression management
computers.
systems, dive planning,
4 4 16 • A dive plan is completed for each day’s 3 2 6
communications, logging of dives,
diving.
equipment inspection and
maintenance and record keeping) • Dive supervisor conducts a safety
briefing prior to the commencement of
diving operations.
• All dives recorded on the dive log and

PN12752 Last updated 25 November 2021 – Risk assessment process for occupational dive work example 5
 checked by the dive supervisor.
• Each diver keeps a personal log of dives.
• Crew qualifications, dive medical and
equipment register maintained.

Hyberbaric/physiological hazards
Post Post Assessed
Assessed Assessed Assessed
Identified hazard Risk control control control risk after
severity probability risk
severity probability control
• Ensure a decompression management
system is adhered to.
• Divers to drive dory one day in five to
Frequency of diving, including allow for a dry rest period.
4 3 12 4 2 8
repeat diving and multi day diving • Maximum five dives a day or 250 mins
per diver.
• Minimum 40 minutes surface interval
between dives.
• Maximum depth of 30m unless pre-
approved by the operations manager.
Depth of dive 4 3 12 4 2 8
• Dive computers downloaded and profiles
checked for all dives deeper than 20m.
• Maximum dive time of 70 minutes unless
Duration of dive 4 3 12 4 2 8
pre-approved by the operations manager.
• Air tests conducted every three months
on all compressors
• Air intake pipes situated away from
Breathing gas 6 3 18 engine emissions. 4 2 8
• If using mixed gases, ensure people hold
the qualifications for using and blending
that gas.
• Consider use of tenders, float lines and
Exertion required to reach dive site 3 3 9 rest stations where exertion is required to 2 2 4
reach the dive site.
• Increase the safety factor (reduce depths
and times) when exertion is required to
Exertion required to conduct task 3 3 9 perform a task. 2 2 4
• Set dive computers to a more
conservative algorithm using in built

PN12752 Last updated 25 November 2021 – Risk assessment process for occupational dive work example 6
 conservative factors.
• Consider engineering controls to reduce
task related exertion.
• Reduce workload of noisy machinery.
• Consider insulating noisy machinery.
Excessive noise 3 3 9 3 2 6
• Schedule noisy machinery use outside of
work hours.
• Divers confirm health status prior to
diving with dive supervisor.
Immediate pre-dive fitness 4 4 16 • Drug and alcohol policy in place. 3 2 6
• Option of dry work in the event of minor
illness.
• No flying for 24hrs after multiple dives
over multiple days
Altitude exposure 3 2 6 2 2 4
• Assess routes to accommodation do not
exceed 300m in altitude
• Fatigue management policy in place.
Fatigue 4 3 12 3 2 6
• Consider loss of sleep and hours worked.

Associated activities hazards

Post Post Assessed
Assessed Assessed Assessed
Identified hazard Risk control control control risk after
severity probability risk
severity probability control
• Minimise lifting by divers.
• When lifting is necessary use proper
Manual handling 4 4 16 lifting techniques. 3 3 9
• Consider engineering controls.
• Minimise heavy work for diver’s post dive.
• Qualified personnel.
• Induction records and ongoing training in
Boat handling 5 3 15 4 2 8
the operation of a vessel.
• Propeller guards installed on all tenders.
• Entry points suitably designed to allow
Dive site entry 3 3 9 3 2 6
safe entry of the divers and equipment.
• Egress point allows diver to exit quickly
and without additional strain.
Dive site egress 4 3 12 4 2 8
• Consider rescue requirements and
emergency plans.
• Qualified personnel.
Crane / winch operations 4 3 12 4 2 8
• Voice communications to diver when

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 retrieving underwater loads.
• Diver slinging loads holds a dogging
ticket (DG).
Rigging 4 3 12 4 2 8
• Voice communications with the crane
operator.
• Maintenance, inspecting and monitoring
Topside plant 3 3 9 3 1 3
of whole surface supply system.
• Ensure platform is kept tidy and free of
Dive platform 4 3 12 obstacles. 4 2 8
• Hydraulic systems checked regularly.

Other hazards
Post Post Assessed
Assessed Assessed Assessed
Identified hazard Risk control control control risk after
severity probability risk
severity probability control
• Store cylinders according to contents.
• Oxygen cylinders to be stored in a clean
Storage of cylinders 5 3 15 grease free environment away from any 4 2 8
ignition source and restrained
accordingly.
• Jellyfish PPE
Dangerous marine animals 5 2 10 • Sharks and crocodiles – observations, 4 2 8
local knowledge, shark shields.
Non associated boat traffic (small • Dive flag and radio communications
5 3 15 4 2 8
craft) • Surface support in place
• Dive flag and radio communications.
Shipping movements 5 3 15 4 2 8
• Surface support in place.
• Controls to prevent a diver from being
drawn into an intake where there is a
differential in pressure (e.g. cages,
Water inlets 5 3 15 4 2 8
tethers, lock out procedures for turbines).
• Consider the use of remotely operated
vehicles (ROVs).
• Consider the effect of the outfall on
Water outfalls 3 2 6 2 2 4
currents and contamination.
• Controls to prevent a diver from being
drawn into an intake where there is a
Water pressure differentials 5 3 15 4 2 8
differential in pressure (e.g. cages,
tethers, lock out procedures for turbines).

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 • Consider the use of Remotely Operated
Vehicles.
• Chemical register, safety data sheets,
Use of hazardous substances 4 3 12 3 2 6
PPE and trained personnel.
• PPE appropriate to the type of
contamination.
Existing in water chemical
5 2 10 • Decontamination procedures. 4 2 8
pollutants
• Trained personnel.
• Consider the use of ROVs.
• PPE appropriate to the type of
contamination.
Existing in water biological
5 2 10 • Decontamination procedures. 4 2 8
pollutants
• Trained personnel.
• Consider the use of ROVs.
• Trained personnel.
Explosives 5 2 10 • Consider the use of ROVs. 5 1 5
• Contact defence personnel.
• To be addressed in the dive plan and
Hazards peculiar to dive site 5 3 15 4 2 8
divers briefed accordingly.

Emergency response factors

Post Post Assessed
Assessed Assessed Assessed
Identified hazard Risk control control control risk after
severity probability risk
severity probability control
• Surface support to monitor divers and
respond in the event of an emergency.
Location and availability of
• Written emergency plans.
emergency personnel including
5 4 20 • Documented roles in an emergency. 5 1 5
surface support has not been
considered. • Regular testing of the emergency plans.
• All crew trained in first aid and oxygen
administration.
• Emergency oxygen and defibrillator
Location and availability of checked pre departure.
emergency equipment has not 5 4 20 • Rescue equipment available to assist – 5 1 5
been considered. spinal board and life ring/rescue tube.
• First aid kit checked and up to date.
• Testing of the emergency plan on a
Inadequate emergency response
regular basis and whenever starting a
procedures (including 5 4 20 5 1 5
new site to ensure an effective and
communications)
efficient emergency plan.

PN12752 Last updated 25 November 2021 – Risk assessment process for occupational dive work example 9
 • Check communications to shore is
working.
• Surface support for all dives in place.
• Standby diver dressed and ready to enter
No surface support, standby diver the water.
3 4 12 3 2 8
or buddy. • If using a buddy as standby diver,
separation distance minimised to ensure
joint supervision.
• All divers to carry a bail out bottle.
No alternate air supplies 5 4 20 • Reserve air available from the surface. 5 1 5
• Consider deco bottles if diving deep.

Significant changes – work must stop immediately if there is a significant change in the method or type of work to be done or in the
environmental conditions.

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Worker name I acknowledge that I have read this record Date

Signature:

PN12752 Last updated 25 November 2021 – Risk assessment process for occupational dive work example 11
Risk control
The hierarchy of control measures in s. 36 of the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011
(and referenced in AS/NZS 2299.1:2015, appendix D4.2) must be taken into account:

1 General
Control of risk is achieved by selecting from the hierarchy of control measures, one or more
measures which individually or in combination achieve the required risk reduction.

2 Control measures
Appropriate control measures should be applied to risks, using the hierarchy of controls in the
following order:
• Elimination – where the level of risk cannot be controlled to an acceptable level, no diving
should take place.
• Substitution – where the risk can be controlled by performing the task by using alternative
methods of diving, consideration should be given to using these alternative methods.
• Design – plant and procedures should be designed to minimise risk.
• Isolation – people should be isolated from the identified hazards.
• Administrative – every dive plan should minimise the degree and duration of the divers’
exposure to risk. Administrative controls include:
- training, supervision, experience and selection of employees, including staffing levels
- provision of an appropriate diving operations manual
- organisation and planning before, during and after the dive
- selection of appropriate plant
- selection of the appropriate form and level of communication.
• Personal protective equipment (PPE) – appropriately designed and sized PPE should be
provided, used and maintained. The limitations of all equipment should be identified as part of
the risk assessment process. Information from manufacturers and from records of prior
experience should be used to identify limitations.

Unless otherwise noted, this document is available under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licence
(https://creativecommons.org/licenses/). You are free to copy and redistribute the work, so long as you attribute The State of
Queensland. The material presented in this publication is distributed by the Queensland Government for information only and
is subject to change without notice. The Queensland Government disclaims all responsibility and liability (including liability in
negligence) for all expenses, losses, damages and costs incurred as a result of the information being inaccurate or
incomplete in any way and for any reason.

PN12752 Last updated 25 November 2021 – Risk assessment process for occupational dive work example 12