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AAUS Scientific Diving History and Regulations

AAUS Scientific Diving History and Regulations. Objectives. Upon completion of this module, the participant will be able to: Define scientific diving Outline the History of Scientific Diving and the exemption to OSHA commercial diving standards Identify the mission, purposes and goals of AAUS.

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AAUS Scientific Diving History and Regulations

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  1. AAUS Scientific Diving History and Regulations

  2. Objectives • Upon completion of this module, the participant will be able to: • Define scientific diving • Outline the History of Scientific Diving and the exemption to OSHA commercial diving standards • Identify the mission, purposes and goals of AAUS

  3. Objectives • Upon completion of this module, the participant will be able to: • Outline the operational control mechanism within Scientific Diving • Discuss policies, procedures, and requirements detailed in AAUS Scientific Diving Standards

  4. Scientific Diving • Scientific diving is defined (29 CFR 1910.402) as diving performed solely as a necessary part of a scientific, research, or educational activity by employees whose sole purpose for diving is to perform scientific research tasks

  5. History of the Scientific Diving Exemption • In 1982, OSHA exempted scientific diving from commercial diving regulations (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart T) under certain conditions which are outlined below • The final guidelines for the exemption became effective in 1985 (Federal Register, Vol. 50, No. 6, p. 1046)

  6. History of the Scientific Diving Exemption • 1975 - Petition filed by United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America AFL-CIO • Urged an emergency temporary standard (ETS) be issued with respect to diving operations • ETS issued on June 15, 1976 to be effective July 15, 1976

  7. History of the Scientific Diving Exemption • Challenged in U S Court of Appeals by several diving contractors • ETS withdrawn in November 1976 and permanent standard was formulated • Final Standard for Commercial Diving became effective October 20, 1977 • Scientific diving was not exempted

  8. History of the Scientific Diving Exemption • American Academy of Underwater Sciences (AAUS) was formed to petition OSHA for an exemption • Submitted arguments for ANPR on October 15, 1979 • Self-regulation • Consensual standard for over 20 years • Low accident incidence rate • Final Ruling granting exemption effective November 28, 1982

  9. Scientific Diving Exemption29CFR 1910.401(2)(iv) • OSHA exempted from commercial diving regulations any diving operation defined as scientific diving and which is under the direction and control of a diving program containing at least the following elements:

  10. Scientific Diving Exemption29CFR 1910.401(2)(iv) • A diving safety manual which includes at a minimum: Procedures covering all diving operations specific to the program; including procedures for emergency care, recompression and evacuation; and the criteria for diver training and certification

  11. Scientific Diving Exemption29CFR 1910.401(2)(iv) • Diving control (safety) board, with the majority of its members being active scientific divers, which shall at a minimum have the authority to: • approve and monitor diving projects, review and revise the diving safety manual, assure compliance with the manual, certify the depths to which a diver has been trained, take disciplinary action for unsafe practices, and assure adherence to the buddy system (a diver is accompanied by and is in continuous contact with another diver in the water) for scuba diving

  12. 29CFR 1910.401(2)(iv) Appendix B to Subpart T • OSHA has granted an exemption for scientific diving from commercial diving regulations under the following guidelines (Appendix B to Subpart T): • The Diving Control Board consists of a majority of active scientific divers and has autonomous and absolute authority over the scientific diving program's operation

  13. 29CFR 1910.401(2)(iv) Appendix B to Subpart T • The purpose of the project using scientific diving is the advancement of science; therefore, information and data resulting from the project are non-proprietary • The tasks of a scientific diver are those of an observer and data gatherer • Construction and trouble-shooting tasks traditionally associated with commercial diving are not included within scientific diving

  14. 29CFR 1910.401(2)(iv) Appendix B to Subpart T • Scientific divers, based on the nature of their activities, must use scientific expertise in studying the underwater environment and therefore, are scientists or scientists-in-training

  15. The American Academy of Underwater Sciences (AAUS)

  16. AAUS • Incorporated in California in 1983 • Active since before the OSHA exemption of 1982 • Currently over 100 organizational members • Recognized by OSHA as the scientific diving standard setting organization

  17. AAUS 101 Bienville Blvd Dauphin Island, AL 36528 251-861-7504 Phone Email: aaus@disl.org Web Address: http://www.aaus.org

  18. AAUS • AAUS Organizational Members, or OM(s), include Universities, Marine Labs, Museums, and others involved in scientific diving activities throughout the United States and around the world

  19. AAUS Mission Statement • The mission of the American Academy of Underwater Sciences (AAUS) is to facilitate the development of safe and productive scientific divers through education, research, advocacy, and the advancement of standards for scientific diving practices, certifications, and operations

  20. AAUS Purposes and Goals • To develop, review and revise standards for safe scientific diving certification and the safe operation of scientific diving programs; • To collect, review and distribute statistics relating to scientific diving activities and scientific diving incidents;

  21. AAUS Purposes and Goals • To conduct symposia and workshops to educate the membership and others in safe scientific diving programs and practices; • To represent the scientific diving interests of the membership before other organizations and government agencies, and;

  22. AAUS Purposes and Goals • To fund research, education and development of safe scientific diving programs and practices

  23. Research vs. ScientificDiver (Rec.) Diver (AAUS) • NO STANDARDIZED INSTRUCTION • PRACTICAL TRAINING ONLY • VARIABLE NUMBER OF TRAINING DIVES • NO MEDICAL • LIFETIME CERT • NOT RECOGNIZED AS A PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATION • OSHA DEFINED • MUST MEET AAUS TRAINING STANDARDS • AAUS MEDICAL REQUIRED • MINIMUM 100 HOURS TRAINING • MUST MAINTAIN CERTIFICATION STATUS • EMERGENCY TRAINING REQUIRED • RECOGNIZED AS A PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATION

  24. AAUS Scientific Diving Standards

  25. AAUS Diving Standards • These standards were developed and written by the AAUS by compiling the policies set forth in the diving manuals of several university, private, and governmental scientific diving programs

  26. AAUS Diving Standards • These programs share a common heritage with the scientific diving program at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography (SIO) • Adherence to the SIO standards has proven both feasible and effective in protecting the health and safety of scientific divers since 1954

  27. Volume 1 Sections 1 through 6 Required For All OM Diving Manuals

  28. Section 1: General Policy

  29. Purpose • The purpose of AAUS Scientific Diving Standards is to ensure that all scientific diving is conducted in a manner that will maximize protection for scientific divers from accidental injury and/or illness, and set forth standards for training and certification that will allow a working reciprocity between organizational members

  30. Operational Control • OM Auspices includes any scientific diving operation in which an OM is connected because of ownership of any equipment used, locations selected, or relationship with the individual(s) concerned

  31. Operational Control • This includes all cases involving the operations of employees of the OM or employees of auxiliary organizations, where such employees are acting within the scope of their employment, and operations of other persons who are engaged in scientific diving of the OM or are diving as members of an organization recognized by the OM

  32. Operational Control • It is the OM’s responsibility to adhere to the AAUS Standards • The administration of the local diving program resides with the OM’s Diving Control Board (DCB)

  33. Operational Control • Each OM is responsible for the development and maintenance of a scientific diving manual containing policies and procedures that will enable the OM to meet requirements for local environments and conditions as well as complying with the AAUS minimal standards

  34. Operational Control • The regulations in the OM’s Diving Manual shall be observed at all locations where scientific diving is conducted

  35. Operational Control • The Diving Safety Officer (DSO) is responsible through the DCB for the conduct of the OM scientific diving program

  36. Operational Control • The DSO is empowered by the DCB and guided in the performance of the required duties by the advice of the DCB, but operational responsibility for the conduct of the local diving program is retained by the DSO

  37. Operational Control • The DCB: • Has autonomous and absolute authority over the scientific diving program’s operation • Shall approve and monitor diving projects • Shall review and revise the diving safety manual • Shall assure compliance with the diving safety manual

  38. Operational Control • The DCB: • Shall certify the depths to which a diver has been trained • Shall take disciplinary action for unsafe practices • Shall assure adherence to the buddy system for scuba diving

  39. Operational Control • The DCB: • Shall act as the official representative for the OM in matters concerning the scientific diving program • Shall act as a board of appeal to consider diver-related problems • Shall recommend the issue, reissue, or the revocation of diving certifications

  40. Operational Control • The DCB: • Shall recommend changes in policy and amendments to AAUS and the OM’s diving safety manual as the need arises • Shall establish and/or approve training programs through which the applicants for certification can satisfy the requirements of the OM’s diving safety manual • Shall suspend diving programs that are considered unsafe or unwise

  41. Operational Control • The DCB: • Shall establish criteria for equipment selection and use • Shall recommend new equipment or techniques • Shall establish and/or approve facilities for the inspection and maintenance of diving and associated equipment

  42. Operational Control • The DCB: • Shall ensure that the OM’s air station(s) meet air quality standards as described in Section 3.60 of the AAUS manual • Shall periodically review the DSO’s performance and program • Shall sit as a board of investigation to inquire into the nature and cause of diving accidents or violations of the OM’s diving safety manual

  43. Operational Control • The Lead Diver: • For each dive, one individual shall be designated as the Lead Diver • This individual shall be at the dive location during the diving operation

  44. Operational Control • The Lead Diver is responsible for: • Coordination with other known activities in the vicinity that are likely to interfere with diving operations • Ensuring all dive team members possess current certification and are qualified for the type of diving operation

  45. Operational Control • The Lead Diver is responsible for: • Briefing dive team members on: • Dive objectives • Unusual hazards or environmental conditions likely to affect the safety of the diving operation • Modifications to diving or emergency procedures necessitated by the specific diving operation • Suspending diving operations if in their opinion conditions are not safe • Reporting to the DSO and DCB any physical problems or adverse physiological effects including symptoms of pressure-related injuries

  46. Operational Control • Reciprocity and Visiting Scientific Diver: • Two or more AAUS OMs engaged jointly in diving activities, or engaged jointly in the use of diving resources, shall designate one of the participating DCBs to govern the joint project

  47. Operational Control • Reciprocity and Visiting Scientific Diver: • A scientific diver from one OM shall apply for permission to dive under the auspices of another OM by submitting to the DSO of the host OM a Request for Diving Reciprocity Form (see AAUS Appendix 6) • This form must be signed by the diver’s home DSO or DCB Chair

  48. Operational Control • Reciprocity and Visiting Scientific Diver: • A visiting Scientific Diver may be asked to demonstrate their knowledge and skills for the planned dive • If the host OM denies a visiting Scientific Diver permission to dive, the host OM shall notify the visiting diver and their DCB with an explanation of all reasons for the denial

  49. Operational Control • Waiver of Requirements: • The organizational Diving Control Board may grant a waiver for specific requirements of training, examinations, depth certification, and minimal activity to maintain certification

  50. Consequence of Violation of Regulations • Failure to comply with the regulations of the diving manual may be cause for the revocation or restriction of the diver's scientific diving certificate by action of the OM DCB

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