IMCA procedure for Audits with Cause on existing diving contractor Members

Version history

August 2024 – Initial publication

Summary

IMCA’s Diving Division may be required to audit its diving contractor members. Reasons for such audits may include, but are not limited to:

• incidents on IMCA diving contractors’ worksites
• occurrences with documented evidence of operating illegally or unethically
• to gather further information from IMCA diving contractors in the event of allegations of not adhering to IMCA’s Codes of Practice and Recommended Practice, and
• evidence arising where commitments and processes initially reviewed and approved for membership suitability are ignored, withdrawn or revoked by the member company.

As part of IMCA’s due diligence process, certain categories of IMCA membership require auditing of the applying company prior to acceptance of IMCA membership, e.g. diving contractor members, ROV training course providers, etc.

IMCA reserves the right to audit its members at any time. Audits with Cause will comprise:

• a desktop safety management system assessment, and
• a site inspection of the IMCA diving contractor’s worksite (and vessels where appropriate)
• normally be undertaken by two IMCA auditors; this is to ensure fairness, proportionality and accountability.

IMCA does not charge for Audits with Cause but expects the member being audited to cover all costs associated with the audit. These costs will include:

• receipted travel, subsistence and associated costs (such as procurement of visas) plus 5%.

Contents

• Glossary
• Introduction
• Audit with Cause Process
• IMCA Assessment Team
• Assessment Criteria
• Evidence Portfolio Requirements
• References