A clean break from work
The proper planning of works breaks and hygiene facilities is, explains Esteban Marrufo, a key contributor to diver welfare
I
n these strange times, it seems like a good opportunity to talk about welfare issues around our continuously evolving industry. We are all aware of the ACOP (Approved Code of Practice) relating to diving. It is used as a foundation to plan, risk asses and work on our methodology to achieve the safest and best outcome for the tasks carried out within the inshore diving industry. However, there are numerous useful publications that assist the diving ACOP. In this article, I would like to discuss workplace health safety and welfare.
LOOKING AT FACILITIES
How you view welfare often depends on your role inside the company/team you work with. Although an employer has a duty of care towards their employees, it is the duty of everybody involved to recognise and execute safe working practices. This will ensure a clean and maintainable working environment. Interpreting the meaning of these regulations is often one of the reasons for discussion inside a dive team. People might well have different ideas about what is acceptable and what is unacceptable. This is why being armed with the knowledge of welfare in the workplace should go hand in hand with the Diving ACOP. 22
Often, you will find yourself on one day jobs: but what level of welfare should you expect? More importantly what level of welfare will HSE Inspectors expect? For example, for a single or mixed gender dive team of up to five people the minimum expected W/C is one cubicle and one washbasin. If the team is all male then those facilities will be sufficient for up to fifteen people. For any numbers greater than these, there will need to be two cubicles and two washbasins. On longer jobs this is more easily achievable; site owners are encouraged to provide a clean sanitary area with both hot and cold running water, soap and clean towels. Plus, if required, due to contamination, showers as well. This is also expected on short duration jobs. But, in reality, how many dive sites provide these facilities? I am sure it will be agreed that on a one-day job this is difficult. There also needs to be a separate and clean seating area for breaks, drinking water and a means of heating food or water for hot drinks. A full version of the HSE Guidance can be found at www.hse.gov. uk/pubns/indg293.pdf or, for the Construction Industry www. hse.gov.uk/pubns/cis59.pdf Something not unique to the diving industry, but with more relevance for us than
most, is drying facilities. There are so many varied factors to take into account. On a job that requires divers to dive on multiple days there should be a drying area. It should be separate from any eating area and be adequately ventilated. There has to be enough room for all the team to be able to have sufficient space and, where necessary, women and men must be able to change separately. It is imperative that the facility is fitted with high temperature cut-out devices or is properly ventilated: both, in an ideal world. Always remember electric heaters are not radiators; they should not be covered directly and best practice will ensure a fire RA (Risk Assessment) and be in line with fire safety regulations. One of the most common causes of fires is from drying facilities.
HSE (HEALTH AND SAFETY EXECUTIVE) COMPLIANCE It is worth adding that, if you are working on a construction site where there is a planned schedule for inland diving operations, you should find a well-equipped welfare area that includes a robust welfare ethos and facilities that should stand up to the ACOP regarding not only welfare but also the HSE (Health and Safety Executive) document for construction sites. It clearly states on page 11 section 2.44
PROFESSIONAL DIVER • SPRING 2020
