IMCA publishes 'Guidance for Diving Supervisors'

Published on 25 June 2014

The International Marine Contractors Association’s (IMCA) ‘Guidance for Diving Supervisors’ (IMCA D 022 Rev 1), (formerly ‘The Diving Supervisor’s Manual’) has been updated to reflect the latest diving industry good practice for diving supervisors all over the world, and is now available online and in printed format.

“Some of the most noteworthy changes to the document include new or revised guidance on eight key topics,” explains IMCA’s Technical Director, Jane Bugler.”These are, the safe movement of moored vessels acting as dive platforms; the safe conduct of dynamically positioned (DP) diving (example vessel hazard drawings have been added); secure isolation of hazardous machinery, valves or other equipment that could affect diver safety; wet-bell diving; minimum chamber sizes; planning for hyperbaric evacuation and the operation of hyperbaric evacuation systems; the safe use of lifting bags; and bell diver recovery drills.

“Like all IMCA guidance, ensuring increased levels of safety lay at its core, as we strive for the industry ‘holy grail’ – zero incidents.”

The revised version of D 022 has sections devoted to Diving Physics; Diving Medicine and First Aid; Environmental Conditions; Communications; Documentation; Management and Planning; Support Locations; Gas Handling; General Diving Procedures; Surface Supplied Air Diving; Surface Supplied Mixed Gas Diving; Closed Bell Diving; Chambers; General Safety Requirements; as well as an introduction covering the IMCA International Code of Practice for Offshore Diving; IMCA Certification Schemes; Qualification of Divers; and the IMCA Competence Assurance and Assessment Guidelines.

Four appendices encompass IMCA Certification Schemes; Maximum Bottom Time Limitation; Weather Terminology and Classifications; and Vessel Hazard Drawings.

IMCA D 022 Rev 1 is available for free downloading for members and non-members alike via the IMCA website at legacy.imca-int.com, with additional printed copies available to members at £25.00, or £40.00 for non-members, (plus 20% for delivery outside Europe).

Further information on IMCA and its work on behalf of its 970+ member companies in over 60 countries is available from legacy.imca-int.com and imca@legacy.imca-int.com. The association has LinkedIn and Facebook groups and its Twitter handle is @IMCAint

About IMCA

• IMCA is an international association with some 970 members in over 60 countries representing offshore, marine and underwater engineering companies. IMCA has four technical divisions, covering marine/specialist vessel operations, offshore diving, hydrographic survey and remote systems and ROVs, plus geographic sections for the Asia-Pacific, Central & North America, Europe & Africa, Middle East & India and South America regions. As well as a core focus on safety, the environment, competence and training, IMCA seeks to promote its members’ common interests, to resolve industry-wide issues and to provide an authoritative voice for its members.
• IMCA Vision & Strategy. As a result of work and collective input in 2013, IMCA has redefined its stated core purpose to be”Improving performance in the marine contracting industry”. To achieve this goal, IMCA’s Vision & Strategy has been devised with two elements in mind: Core activities and ways of working. Targets and objectivesagainst which the association will measure progress in 2014 have been established. Note to Editors: We are more than happy to expand on this in tailor-made articles – just put us to the test, email judithpatten@jppr.uk.com or phone her on +44(0)20 8241 1912 to explain what you would like covered, length, and deadline.
• IMCA publishes some 200 guidance notes and technical reports – many are available for free downloading by members and non-members alike. These have been developed over the years and are extensively distributed. They are a definition of what IMCA stands for, including widely recognised diving and ROV codes of practice, DP documentation, marine good practice guidance, the Common Marine Inspection Document (CMID) – now available electronically as eCMID, safety recommendations, outline training syllabi and the IMCA competence scheme guidance. In addition to the range of printed guidance documents, IMCA also produces safety promotional materials, circulates information notes and distributes safety flashes.