Dive Operations Handbook: (Established by 241 FW 10), September 2022, VER 1.0

ForewordThis handbook represents the minimum dive safety standards for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) at present. As scientific diving progresses, the Service’s National Diving Control Board (NDCB) will update this handbook to reflect the best safe diving practices.Service Manual chapter 241 FW 10, Diving Safety, establishes the Dive Operations Handbook and requires its use. We intend for the policies, procedures, and standards in the handbook to govern the training and dive operations of all Service personnel authorized to participate in dive operations.Scientific Diving DefinitionScientific diving is defined (29 CFR 1910.402) as diving that personnel perform solely as a necessary part of a scientific research or educational activity to accomplish scientific research tasks. Scientific diving does not include performing tasks usually associated with commercial diving, with emphasis on construction and the use of construction tools such as heavy equipment, power tools, explosives, welding equipment, and burning equipment.As mandated by the Department of the Interior (DOI, Department) in 485 Departmental Manual (DM) 27, all Service scientific diving operations must follow the requirements of “scientific diving” programs in order to receive an exemption from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) commercial diving regulations (see Appendix 3).The Service’s diving activities all fall under the umbrella of scientific diving. Scientific diving must be conducted in accordance with 29 CFR 1910.401(a)(2)(iv); 29 CFR 1910 Subpart T, Appendix B; and the community standard for scientific diving as reviewed and approved by the NDCB; so the Service limits the purposes of its dives to:Natural Resource Management – Dives involving the protection, monitoring, inventorying, documentation, and survey of natural resourcesCultural Resource Management – Dives involving the protection, monitoring, inventorying, documentation, and survey of cultural resources Table of ContentsForewordScientific Diving DefinitionScientific Diving - OSHA ExemptionChapter 1 – Authorities, Scope, and ImplementationChapter 2 – Operational ControlChapter 3 – Service Diver RequirementsChapter 4 – Dive Training and Operations RequirementsChapter 5 – Specialized Dive Equipment and EnvironmentsChapter 6 – Dive Equipment Standards and MaintenanceChapter 7 – Emergency ProceduresChapter 8 – Administration ProceduresAppendices Read more