UK commercial diving regulations

Status of the published text

• Lawlegislation.gov.uk states that the Regulations are only available in their original (as made) form, with no revised consolidated text. DWR 1997 (contents), Status note

Duties and the diving contractor

• LawAnyone responsible for, in control of or engaged in a diving project, or whose acts or omissions could affect the safety of those in it, must take reasonable measures for their position to ensure the Regulations are complied with. DWR 1997, reg. 4
• LawEvery diving project must have one, and only one, diving contractor — normally the employer of the divers or a self-employed diver diving in the project. DWR 1997, reg. 5(1)–(2)
• LawNo one may act as a diving contractor until the particulars listed in Schedule 1 have been supplied in writing to HSE. DWR 1997, reg. 7(1)
• LawIf any of the notified particulars change, the diving contractor must send the details of the change to HSE in writing straight away. DWR 1997, reg. 7(2)
• GuidanceHSE says the regulation 7 particulars (form OSDDC1) need not be resubmitted annually, but any change should be sent to HSE immediately. HSE OSDDC1 notes, OSDDC1 notes
• GuidanceHSE acknowledges receipt of the OSDDC1 form, but states the receipt is not a licence and implies no approval. HSE OSDDC1 notes, OSDDC1 notes

The diving project plan

• 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)

The supervisor

• LawBefore each diving operation starts, the diving contractor must appoint a supervisor, record the appointment in writing and give the supervisor the part of the project plan relating to that operation. DWR 1997, reg. 6(2)(b)
• LawA supervisor must be competent and, where appropriate, suitably qualified for the operation they are appointed to supervise. DWR 1997, reg. 9(2)
• LawBefore an operation starts, the supervisor must make sure everyone taking part knows the parts of the project plan relating to it. DWR 1997, reg. 10(1)(b)

Team, competence and first aid

Diving operation records

• LawThe diving contractor must ensure a record containing the particulars approved in writing by HSE is kept for each diving operation. DWR 1997, reg. 6(3)(e), 6(4)
• LawThe diving contractor must keep each diving operation record for at least two years after its last entry. DWR 1997, reg. 6(3)(f)
• LawThe supervisor must enter the required particulars in the diving operation record during the operation. DWR 1997, reg. 10(1)(c)
• LawEvery diver in a diving project must keep a daily record of their diving and hold it for at least two years after the last entry. DWR 1997, reg. 12(3)
• ACOP / codeHSE's current approval of the required record particulars is dated 20 May 2003 and revoked the list in force from 7 May 1999. HSE DOR particulars, Approval dated 20 May 2003
• ACOP / codeThe approval sets out required particulars in seven schedules, one per class of diving project: offshore, inland/inshore, shellfish, scientific and archaeological, media, recreational and police. HSE DOR particulars, Approval, Schedules 1–7
• ACOP / codeHSE says the listed particulars are a minimum and the diving contractor may add further particulars to the record. HSE DOR particulars, Guidance — The required particulars
• ACOP / codeFor offshore, inland/inshore and similar classes, each supervisor must complete an entry daily for each diving operation, ending with the supervisor's name and signature. HSE DOR particulars, Offshore / inland-inshore particulars

Qualifications and medical fitness

• LawA diver may not dive in a diving project without an approved qualification valid for the work they may reasonably expect to do, subject to limited exceptions (e.g. training). DWR 1997, reg. 12(1)(a)
• LawA diver may appeal to HSE within 28 days against a medical examiner's refusal, limitation, conditions or revocation of a certificate. DWR 1997, reg. 15(4)
• GuidanceIn its Professional Qualifications Act 2022 statement, HSE says anyone practising as a professional diver must hold a qualification on its list of approved diving qualifications. HSE training and qualifications, Professional Qualifications Act 2022 statement

Equipment and HSE safety notices

Approved Codes of Practice and HSE publications

• ACOP / codeL103, the ACOP for commercial diving projects offshore, is the second edition, published 2014, ISBN 978 0 7176 6592 1. ACOP L103, Book page
• ACOP / codeL104, the ACOP for commercial diving projects inland/inshore, is the second edition, published 2014, ISBN 978 0 7176 6593 8. ACOP L104, Book page
• ACOP / codeL105, the ACOP for recreational diving projects, is the second edition, published 2014, ISBN 978 0 7176 6594 5. ACOP L105, Book page
• ACOP / codeL106, the ACOP for media diving projects, is the second edition, published 2014, ISBN 978 0 7176 6595 2. ACOP L106, Book page
• ACOP / codeL107, the ACOP for scientific and archaeological diving projects, is the second edition, published 2014, ISBN 978 0 7176 6596 9. ACOP L107, Book page
• GuidanceHSE says all the diving ACOPs were revised after industry consultation and came into force on 8 December 2014. HSE diving ACOPs page, Approved codes of practice page
• GuidanceHSE lists Diving Information Sheets 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6 as withdrawn; sheets 5 and 7 to 14 remain listed with their revision and publication month. HSE DVIS index, Diving information sheets