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- Diving Operations within Ontario’s Film Industry
Diving Operations within Ontario’s Film Industry
- By © UnderwaterINDUSTRY .com
- Published 05/12/2002
- Diving Safety and Training
- Unrated
A guide to the Government of Ontario’s Regulation for Diving Operations
I.A.T.S.E. Local 667 along with the Film and Television Industry share the goal of ensuring a safe and healthy work environment for all its members working on dive operations.
Dive operations present unusual occupational health and safety hazards to those who engage in it. There are many laws and regulations that must be adhered to. This has been prepared to provide a summary of the basic regulations. All diving personal must be trained in accordance with the CSA Z275.4-97 Standards (Competency Standard for Diving Operations).
As well, all diving operations must be conducted in accordance with the Provincial Occupational Health and Safety Act and Regulation for Diving Operations, (Reg. 629/94). For more details contact the Ministry of Labour nearest you.
To ensure a safe working environment, I.A.T.S.E. Local 667 members who are listed in the Underwater category have met the following minimum requirements that are compliant with the CSA Standards and the Provincial Occupational Health and Safety Act and Regulations.
· Current dive medical
· Current First Aid / CPR certificate
· Current O2 Administration certificate
· Current Dive Level certificate (log book)
Every person who contravenes or fails to comply with the Ministry of Labour is guilty of an offence and can be fined $25,000 and/or imprisonment. The production can be fined up to $500,000.
Through safety guidelines, cooperation and commitment, we can make safer and healthier work environments that will enable us to achieve your goals.
YOUR BEST PROTECTION IS PREVENTION
Application
What is the regulation that applies to diving operations?
The Ontario Regulation 629/94 for Diving Operations, in the Occupational Health and Safety Act, a small green book which is required to be at the dive site.
To whom does this regulation apply?
This regulation applies to any diving operation, or any function that is in support of a diving operation.
Who is responsible for the health and safety of the dive companies and the underwater cameramen contracted by film companies?
Depending on the contractual arrangement, the dive companies could be deemed to be “employers” under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHS Act). The production companies are deemed to be “owners” under the OHS Act. If the production company employs or contracts directly with the diver, or supervises the dive operation, the production company could also be deemed as the employer.
Diving Crew
What crew is required during a diving operation?
The Regulation has a minimum crew requirement whenever SCUBA is being used for underwater film production. The Dive Supervisor is in complete control of the diving operation and will determine the adequate number of personal necessary for the dive. This is determined by the complexity of the dive operation, in accordance with the CSA Standards.
The minimum crew requirement states there must be three competent members for a basic diving team. They must include:
· a diving supervisor
· a safety diver
· a diver
There are specific duties for each crew member, before, during and after the dive. The OHS Act, Regulation 629/94, outlines these duties in detail.
What are the medical examination requirements for a diver?
A person may dive provided he or she has undergone a medical examination during the 24 month period preceding the dive and has obtained a written statement from the examining physician indicating that he/she is fit to dive. The physician must be knowledgeable in diving and hyperbaric operations.
Who is required to have emergency training at the dive site?
The employer associated with the diving operation must ensure that up-todate certification in cardio-pulmonary resuscitation and basic first aid is held by each of the following:
· the diving supervisor
· each participating diver
· at least one worker at the dive site in addition to the dive crew
Equipment
What are the general requirements for equipment during the diving operations?
Each employer associated with the diving operation, and the diving
supervisor, must ensure that all diving equipment to be used in the diving operation is adequate and maintained in a correct manner.
Must a lifeline always be used during a diving operation?
Yes. The diving supervisor must ensure that an adequate lifeline is used at all times when a diver is in the water. The requirements for the lifeline are outlined in Regulation 629/94.
What are the communication requirements for a dive?
Each employer associated with a diving operation and the diving supervisor must ensure that each submerged diver is connected to the dive site by a two-way communication system. This communication may be by voice or pre-arranged line signals but must meet the requirements of Regulation 629/94 of the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
Duties of Employers and Owners
Who must be notified in the event of a dive?
A written, faxed or oral notice is required to be given to the Ministry of
Labour by each employer or owner associated with a diving operation, prior to the commencement of the dive. A contact number for the Ministry of Labour is at the end of this brochure.
What must be contained in the written notice to the Ministry of
Labour?
Written notice must be provided on a “Notice for Commercial Diving
operations” form, available from the Ministry of Labour. The following
information must be included on the form:
Oral notice must include:
Any changes made to the plan after the MOL has been notified , must also be submitted (either in writing or orally).
What plans must be prepared prior to the start of a diving operation?
A written operation plan and a written contingency plan for the diving
operation must be prepared with input from one or more of the diving
supervisors (see “Diving Crew” section) appointed for the diving operation.
An OPERATION PLAN must:
A CONTINGENCY PLAN must:
Does the Ministry of Labour inspect dive sites?
Yes. Notices, plans and diver documentation related to the dive as
prescribed by the Regulations, must be available for review by a Ministry of Labour Inspector.
Ministry of Labour Contacts
For further information on diving operations and regulations, please
contact the Ministry of Labour office in your area.
Central Ministry of Labour
Bob Landry
Diving Inspector
12275 Midland Avenue
Scarborough, ON M1P 3E7
tel: 416-314-5359
fax: 416-314-5444
Hamilton/Niagara Ministry of Labour
Diving Inspector
1 Jarvis Street, Main Floor
Hamilton, ON L8R 3J2
toll free: 1-800-263-6906
tel: 905-577-6221
fax: 905-577-1324
Eastern/Northern Ministry of Labour
John Mitchell
Diving Inspector
1111 Prince of Wales Drive
Suite 200
Ottawa, ON K2C 3T2
toll Free: 1-800-267-1916 (613 only)
tel: 613-727-2893
fax: 613-727-2900
I.A.T.S.E. Local 667 along with the Film and Television Industry share the goal of ensuring a safe and healthy work environment for all its members working on dive operations.
Dive operations present unusual occupational health and safety hazards to those who engage in it. There are many laws and regulations that must be adhered to. This has been prepared to provide a summary of the basic regulations. All diving personal must be trained in accordance with the CSA Z275.4-97 Standards (Competency Standard for Diving Operations).
As well, all diving operations must be conducted in accordance with the Provincial Occupational Health and Safety Act and Regulation for Diving Operations, (Reg. 629/94). For more details contact the Ministry of Labour nearest you.
To ensure a safe working environment, I.A.T.S.E. Local 667 members who are listed in the Underwater category have met the following minimum requirements that are compliant with the CSA Standards and the Provincial Occupational Health and Safety Act and Regulations.
· Current dive medical
· Current First Aid / CPR certificate
· Current O2 Administration certificate
· Current Dive Level certificate (log book)
Every person who contravenes or fails to comply with the Ministry of Labour is guilty of an offence and can be fined $25,000 and/or imprisonment. The production can be fined up to $500,000.
Through safety guidelines, cooperation and commitment, we can make safer and healthier work environments that will enable us to achieve your goals.
YOUR BEST PROTECTION IS PREVENTION
Application
What is the regulation that applies to diving operations?
The Ontario Regulation 629/94 for Diving Operations, in the Occupational Health and Safety Act, a small green book which is required to be at the dive site.
To whom does this regulation apply?
This regulation applies to any diving operation, or any function that is in support of a diving operation.
Who is responsible for the health and safety of the dive companies and the underwater cameramen contracted by film companies?
Depending on the contractual arrangement, the dive companies could be deemed to be “employers” under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHS Act). The production companies are deemed to be “owners” under the OHS Act. If the production company employs or contracts directly with the diver, or supervises the dive operation, the production company could also be deemed as the employer.
Diving Crew
What crew is required during a diving operation?
The Regulation has a minimum crew requirement whenever SCUBA is being used for underwater film production. The Dive Supervisor is in complete control of the diving operation and will determine the adequate number of personal necessary for the dive. This is determined by the complexity of the dive operation, in accordance with the CSA Standards.
The minimum crew requirement states there must be three competent members for a basic diving team. They must include:
· a diving supervisor
· a safety diver
· a diver
There are specific duties for each crew member, before, during and after the dive. The OHS Act, Regulation 629/94, outlines these duties in detail.
What are the medical examination requirements for a diver?
A person may dive provided he or she has undergone a medical examination during the 24 month period preceding the dive and has obtained a written statement from the examining physician indicating that he/she is fit to dive. The physician must be knowledgeable in diving and hyperbaric operations.
Who is required to have emergency training at the dive site?
The employer associated with the diving operation must ensure that up-todate certification in cardio-pulmonary resuscitation and basic first aid is held by each of the following:
· the diving supervisor
· each participating diver
· at least one worker at the dive site in addition to the dive crew
Equipment
What are the general requirements for equipment during the diving operations?
Each employer associated with the diving operation, and the diving
supervisor, must ensure that all diving equipment to be used in the diving operation is adequate and maintained in a correct manner.
Must a lifeline always be used during a diving operation?
Yes. The diving supervisor must ensure that an adequate lifeline is used at all times when a diver is in the water. The requirements for the lifeline are outlined in Regulation 629/94.
What are the communication requirements for a dive?
Each employer associated with a diving operation and the diving supervisor must ensure that each submerged diver is connected to the dive site by a two-way communication system. This communication may be by voice or pre-arranged line signals but must meet the requirements of Regulation 629/94 of the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
Duties of Employers and Owners
Who must be notified in the event of a dive?
A written, faxed or oral notice is required to be given to the Ministry of
Labour by each employer or owner associated with a diving operation, prior to the commencement of the dive. A contact number for the Ministry of Labour is at the end of this brochure.
What must be contained in the written notice to the Ministry of
Labour?
Written notice must be provided on a “Notice for Commercial Diving
operations” form, available from the Ministry of Labour. The following
information must be included on the form:
- · location of the dive site
· expected start date and duration of the diving operation
· name, mailing address and telephone number of an owner or employer who is associated with the diving operation
· maximum depth of any dive in the diving operation
· description of the tasks expected to be performed in the diving
operation
· breathing mixtures expected to be used during the diving operation
Oral notice must include:
- · location of the dive site
· expected start and duration times of the diving operation
· name, mailing address and telephone number of an owner or employer who is associated with the diving operation
Any changes made to the plan after the MOL has been notified , must also be submitted (either in writing or orally).
What plans must be prepared prior to the start of a diving operation?
A written operation plan and a written contingency plan for the diving
operation must be prepared with input from one or more of the diving
supervisors (see “Diving Crew” section) appointed for the diving operation.
An OPERATION PLAN must:
- · describe the tasks to be performed in the diving operation
· state how those tasks are to be performed
· state how the hazards to be encountered in the diving operation are to be identified and handled
· state which agencies and facilities will be given notice under Section 9 of Regulation 629/94
A CONTINGENCY PLAN must:
- · include instructions for communicating with medical assistance in the
event of an emergency
· outline emergency procedures for the evacuation of an injured diver
from the dive site
· outline emergency procedures for responding to any significant failure of a component of any diving equipment
· outline emergency procedures for responding to a loss of
communication with a diver
· outline emergency procedures for responding to a hazardous weather
or ice conditions
· outline emergency procedures for aborting a dive
Does the Ministry of Labour inspect dive sites?
Yes. Notices, plans and diver documentation related to the dive as
prescribed by the Regulations, must be available for review by a Ministry of Labour Inspector.
Ministry of Labour Contacts
For further information on diving operations and regulations, please
contact the Ministry of Labour office in your area.
Central Ministry of Labour
Bob Landry
Diving Inspector
12275 Midland Avenue
Scarborough, ON M1P 3E7
tel: 416-314-5359
fax: 416-314-5444
Hamilton/Niagara Ministry of Labour
Diving Inspector
1 Jarvis Street, Main Floor
Hamilton, ON L8R 3J2
toll free: 1-800-263-6906
tel: 905-577-6221
fax: 905-577-1324
Eastern/Northern Ministry of Labour
John Mitchell
Diving Inspector
1111 Prince of Wales Drive
Suite 200
Ottawa, ON K2C 3T2
toll Free: 1-800-267-1916 (613 only)
tel: 613-727-2893
fax: 613-727-2900