Working safely in the occupational diving, snorkelling and free-diving industries
These guidelines offer advice to businesses on safe occupational diving activities using compressed gas underwater, and safe occupational snorkelling and free-diving.
Find out more about becoming a certified occupational diver.
Role of WorkSafe
The role of WorkSafe in occupational diving is to act as the regulator for ensuring the safe operation of the occupational divers in New Zealand. We do this by:
- assessing that applicants of Certificates of Competence meet the Health and Safety in Employment Regulations regarding occupational diving
- working with the diving industry to provide good guidance and to improve occupational diving best practice
The Diving Industry Advisory Group
The Diving Industry Advisory Group (DIAG) represents each of the occupational diving sectors in New Zealand and is the conduit between these sectors, hyperbaric experts and WorkSafe New Zealand.
WorkSafe and DIAG work together to identify and reduce preventable injury through adherence to good practice by industry.
For more information, see the DIAG website.(external link)
Technical bulletins
From time to time WorkSafe and DIAG may issue additional guidance to provide in-depth technical information or clarification on specific topics. These are listed below:
- Bounce diving
- Reverse profile diving
- Use of underwater thermal cutting equipment in occupational diving
- Use and maintenance of a diver's hose in occupational diving
- Diving with underwater powered tools
- Breathing oxygen and enriched mixtures while diving
- Diving around public wharves, marinas and boat ramps
COVID-19 and diver safety
Advice about health and safety risks posed for occupational divers if they have been exposed to COVID-19.
Related documents
- Scientific diving training requirements [PDF, 118 KB]
- Aquaculture Industry Diving - good practice guidelines(external link)
For additional documents please go to Working as an Occupational Diver
If you have any questions on occupational diving contact Occdiving@worksafe.govt.nz
Related information
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