Dive project plans and dive plans: what regulators ask for
Most regimes require written planning before diving starts, based on a risk assessment. The names differ: diving project plan, dive plan, safe practices manual, operations manual.
- Built from
- 8 primary sources Law
- Sources last checked
- 28 Sep 2026
- Editorial check
- 28 Sep 2026
How to read this page: four kinds of statement
- Law Law / regulation
- Legislation: Acts, regulations and statutory instruments. It has the force of law in its jurisdiction.
- ACOP / code Approved Code of Practice or code with legal status
- A code the law itself gives special status (for example an HSE Approved Code of Practice). Following it is one way of complying; alternatives must be at least as good.
- Guidance Regulator or industry guidance
- Guidance, industry codes and standards. No legal force by itself, although clients, contracts or regulators may call it up.
- Explanation Marine Deep explanation
- Our own plain-English explanation. It is not a requirement and not legal advice.
Every law, code and guidance statement links to its primary source. Read the source before relying on it: our summary is not a substitute.
Explanation Marine Deep's explanation, not a requirement.
Planning documents come in layers. There is usually a company-level manual (safe practices, operations or procedures), a project-level plan, and a plan or briefing for each operation or dive. Regulators name and divide these differently. The points below show what each regulation actually says.
Great Britain
- LawThe diving contractor must ensure a diving project plan is prepared before the project begins and is updated as necessary while it continues. DWR 1997, reg. 6(2)(a)
- LawThe diving project plan must be based on a risk assessment and record the outcome of the planning, with the information and instructions needed to protect those taking part. DWR 1997, reg. 8(1)
- LawThe diving project plan must name any Approved Code of Practice that will apply to the project. DWR 1997, reg. 8(2)
United States
- LawThe employer must develop and maintain a safe practices manual and make it available at the dive location to every dive team member. 29 CFR 1910 Subpart T, § 1910.420(a)
- LawThe manual must include a copy of the standard and the employer's implementing policies, and for each diving mode used: safety procedures and checklists, team assignments, equipment procedures and checklists, and emergency procedures. 29 CFR 1910 Subpart T, § 1910.420(b)
- LawThe diving supervisor must give an operations manual to the person-in-charge before diving and make it available to the dive team; it must cover safety, assignments, equipment and emergency procedures, and the use of power tools, welding and explosives. 46 CFR 197 Subpart B, § 197.420
Canada
- LawEmployers have to establish written procedures for diving operations, covering each dive type and team qualifications, known hazards, and emergencies and evacuation. COHSR Part XVIII, s. 18.4(1)
- LawFor each dive the dive team has to develop a dive plan identifying conditions and hazards and specifying matters such as duties, equipment, breathing supply, emergency procedures and communications. COHSR Part XVIII, s. 18.9(1)
- LawThe diving supervisor has to prepare a detailed plan of the diving operations and give it to the worksite employer before diving starts. BC OHSR Part 24, s. 24.18(2)
- LawEvery employer engaged in diving operations has to prepare and publish safe diving procedures, including emergency, evacuation and rescue procedures. BC OHSR Part 24, s. 24.17(1)
Australia
- LawFor general diving work, Part 4.8 provides for appointing a competent person to supervise, a dive plan that must be complied with, and a dive safety log. WHS Regs 2011 Pt 4.8, Part 4.8 Div 3, rr. 177–180 (table of contents)