During the recent CSA diving standards meetings, a presentation by Dr. Moudley indicated that the CSA should review the standard for breathing gases. After a very impressive and informative presentation, committee members voted to look into revising the breathing standard.

ONTARIO - Divers employed within Ontario are required to comply with the requirements of Ontario Regulation 629/94 and the Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act. The responsibility for compliance rests not only with the employer of the divers but also with the owner who contracts with the diving company. Up-to-date link to the Ontario Regulation 629/94 is located at http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/DBLaws/Regs/English/940629_e.htm 
BRITISH COLUMBIA-  Workmans Comp regulations are here. (http://www2.worksafebc.com/Publications/OHSRegulation/Part24.asp#SectionNumber:24.7

TORONTO — Divers are now required to get special permission to access three well-known shipwrecks in Ontario waters, including the Edmund Fitzgerald.The new regulation under the Ontario Heritage Act applies to the Edmund Fitzgerald shipwreck in Lake Superior, one of the best known shipwrecks in the Great Lakes.

The Nova Scotia Department of Environment and Labour will host five free information sessions concerning the new diving regulations. Follow the link to find out where.

At the recent CSA Sub Committee meeting for the Diver Competency Standard, Z275.4, a working group was established to comment on issues relating to conflicts and missing information with  the Welding Standard - CSA W117.2-01 and the Diving Standards. Dave Geddes, Program Coordinator of the Underwater skills Program at Seneca College, will be chairing this group and plans to work through the issues via an e-mail group. Anyone wishing to join this working group are asked to contact him directly at dave.geddes@senecac.on.ca.

Health Canada considers a hyperbaric chamber a medical device and as such, the devices have to be licensed as a medical device. If the chmabers do not have a current license, they cannot be bought or sold (or imported) in Canada! Chambers used in the diving industry have been caught up in this legislation and as such, dive companies now have a problem if they want to buy, sell or even rent a chamber for their operations. Find out what Health Canada has to say about this. (PDF File) Discuss what you think of it on the forum

The "Regulation For Diving Operations" identifies the duties of employers,constructors and owners to give a notice of a diving operation prior to commencement of the operation. It requires that the constructor of a project where a diving operation is to take place and the employer and the owner associated with a diving operation ensure that the Ministry is given notice of the diving operation in writing before the diving operation begins. Alternatively, it allows for the notice be given orally before the diving operation begins and in writing within 30 days after the day on which the diving operation begins. The attached file gives the updates on areas and phone numbers when operating in Ontario waters.

Recent changes in the definition of a restricted surface supplied diver at the CSA meeting in Quebec last month will allow restricted surface supplied divers to do various work tasks providing they have been trained to do the task. This is different than the previous restriction in that the only way you could use tools, cut, etc. UW was to get an unrestricted qualification. A restricted diver can only do certain things "unless the diver has received specific training and is qualified to perform these tasks” .The change will "fast track" many a diver that has no intention of deep diving in his/her career. If you are trained - you can do it. What do you think?

In an open letter and address to the members of the Canadian Association of Diving Contractors in Quebec City last week, CADC President John McFadzen indicated that the proposed regulations about to be introduced in Nova Scotia ignores and lowers the Industry accepted minimum standards of safety. Read the concerns of the CADC about these proposed standards. Are they about to become an accident waiting to happen? Again? 

In an open letter to the Nova Scotia Ministry of Environment and Labour, the Canadian Association of Diving contractors believes that the proposed regulations for Nova Scotia will lead to fatalities in the Diving Industry in that Province. Read the full content of the letter inside.