Diving (Commercial Diving)
Commercial diving is an extremely specialized profession and with that comes a unique set of activities and occupational hazards.
In addition to risk for drowning, respiratory and circulatory problems, and hypothermia, commercial divers are often exposed to construction or demolition type hazards such as cutting, welding, material handling, cleaning, the use of explosives, operation of heavy equipment, and general work with power tools. The working depth and pressure, the number of dives, length of time spent underwater, lack of visibility, and the strenuous nature of the task increase divers’ risks for injury and death.
Rules
General Rules
- Commercial diving operations, standards for (Chapter 296-37, WAC)
- Longshore, Stevedore and Waterfront Related Operations (Chapter 296-56, WAC)
Rules for Specific Activities or Workplaces
- Explosives (WAC 296-52-67185)
Policies
Diving Search & Rescue (WRD 32.15)- Commercial Diving Operations (WRD 22.85)
Hazard Alerts, Bulletins & Notices
Other Resources
Please read an important message about links on this page.
Important:
"Links" to other information sources are provided as a courtesy, but we cannot vouch for or take responsibility for information contained beyond files administered by the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries. Links from this page do not represent or imply the endorsement of commercial products by the State of Washington, Labor and Industries, or by departmental staff. For more information, read L&I's Intended Usage policy.
- Analysis of a Diving Accident: H2ops
- Cold Water Boot Camp USA
- Commercial Diving Fact Sheet
- OSHA directive: Commercial Diving Operations
- Potential Health Effects When Diving (U.S. Dept. of Labor)
- Safety for Commercial Dive Teams
- The Inshore Working Diver (by Arne-Johan Arntzen, Norwegian Association of underwater Contractors.)
Related Topics
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