Offshore Diving Safety—Challenges and Concerns

Abstract Commercial diving in the North Sea was once viewed as the ultimate example of a highly paid but very dangerous occupation. Regulation (both external and internal) and many hard lessons have resulted in great improvements in training, equipment and procedures. Diving is undoubtedly much safer than it was 30 years ago, but it remains one of the most hazardous activities in the offshore industry. The paper will identify a number of challenges facing the offshore diving industry - some of which give cause for concern. For example, the sector continues to enjoy a worldwide boom which has resulted in a severe shortage of experienced divers, supervisors, support personnel and diving support vessels. These shortages are likely to worsen in the coming year, despite record numbers of divers passing through the diving schools and the ongoing construction of diving vessels and diving systems. The age profile of the offshore diving workforce (and much of the equipment in use) is likely to further exacerbate these problems. Over the last 2 years, there has been a significant increase in diving related Dangerous Occurrences (near misses) reported to the United Kingdom's Health & Safety Executive (HSE). These include a number of incidents that could have resulted in fatalities or serious injuries. This situation is not limited to the North Sea and there have been a number of serious accidents reported from around the world. The paper will explore this trend. The paper will conclude that most diving accidents are not "new" and that the lessons from the past must not be forgotten. While adherence to current regulations and industry standards is generally the best way to reduce risks to acceptable levels, some new thinking may now be needed in areas such as training and competence assessment.