Preface 

This is the fourth edition of CSA Z275.4, Competency Standard for diving, hyperbaric chamber, and remotely operated vehicle operations. It supersedes the previous editions published in 2012, 2002, and 1997. The Standard contains requirements and performance specifications for determining and measuring competency levels for occupational divers, hyperbaric chamber operators, remotely operated vehicle technicians, and their associated team members. The Standard applies to both offshore and inshore operations. This new edition of the Standard is based on the 2020 edition of CSA Z275.2. It amalgamates previous criteria for restricted and unrestricted self-contained underwater breathing apparatus (SCUBA) diving into a single new category: Occupational SCUBA diving (see Clause 6). A new competency category has been set for diving instructors (see Clause 5). In keeping with updated international standards, competency requirements for bell divers have been updated extensively (see Clause 17). In concert with the 2016 edition of CSA Z275.1, minor changes have been made to competency requirements for hyperbaric chamber operators (see Clause 22). In response to enquiries and feedback to the 2012 edition, clarifications have been made to prerequisite and competency requirements for many categories of diving. It must be understood by the user of this Standard that the requirements contained herein are minimum levels. 

This Standard does not have the force of law unless mandated by legislation or referenced in the regulations of the authority having jurisdiction. The user is advised to contact the local authority having jurisdiction in the user's area to determine to what extent this Standard is referenced. The requirements result from consensus among the Technical Committee members, who represent a broad spectrum of interests. The members were encouraged and aided by the public comments received because of the wide distribution of a draft at the public comment stage. CSA Group acknowledges that the development of this Standard was made possible, in part, by the financial support of the Diver Certification Board of Canada. This Standard has been developed in compliance with Standards Council of Canada requirements for National Standards of Canada. It has been published as a National Standard of Canada by CSA Group. 

Scope 

1.1 General 

This Standard applies to occupational diving, hyperbaric facility, and remotely operated vehicle (ROV) operations conducted in connection with all types of work and employment and describes the requirements for minimum competency levels for all personnel directly associated with the identified techniques of diving or ROV operations. Canadian safety and health legislation requires that all workers be competent to perform the work assigned to them. It requires competency in both the theory and use of the type of diving apparatus or ROV employed. This Standard has been established to provide diver and ROV training facilities and the diving and ROV industry with a uniform minimum level of competency necessary for the various levels of diver and ROV techniques. This level of competency will allow the diver or ROV pilot/technician to safely and competently complete the specific tasks required of occupational divers or ROV personnel. 

Note: It is recognized that certain underwater tasks can require specialized codes of practice. It is possible that competency levels that differ from the requirements of this Standard will be acceptable to the authority having jurisdiction. 

1.2 Types of diving 

This Standard addresses competency requirements for the following types of diving: a) occupational (open-circuit) self-contained underwater breathing apparatus (SCUBA) diving; b) surface-supplied diving: i) air (restricted and unrestricted categories); ii) nitrox (restricted and unrestricted categories); and iii) mixed gas; and c) deep diving: i) bell techniques (bell); ii) saturation techniques (SAT); and iii) atmospheric diving system (ADS) techniques. 

1.3 Types of personnel 

This Standard addresses the competency requirements for the following types of personnel associated with the diving techniques specified in Clause 1.2: a) divers/pilots; b) tenders; c) dive supervisors; d) hyperbaric chamber operators (HCOs); e) life-support technicians (LSTs); f) diving medical technicians (DMTs); g) diving safety specialists (DSSs); h) diving physicians and hyperbaric physicians; and i) ROV pilots/technicians. 

1.4 Exclusions 

This Standard does not a) apply to diving operations performed solely for sport recreation or sport recreation training; b) apply to scientific diving as defined in Clause 3.1; Note: For divers involved in scientific diving, refer to CAUS's Standard of Practice for Scientific Diving. c) include work techniques associated with underwater diving operations; and d) include special competency requirements for unexploded explosive ordnance (UXO) diving operations (see CSA Z275.6 for such requirements). 

1.5 Standard language 

In this Standard, "shall" is used to express a requirement, i.e., a provision that the user is obliged to satisfy in order to comply with the Standard; "should" is used to express a recommendation or that which is advised but not required; and "may" is used to express an option or that which is permissible within the limits of the Standard. Notes accompanying clauses do not include requirements or alternative requirements; the purpose of a note accompanying a clause is to separate from the text explanatory or informative material. Notes to tables and figures are considered part of the table or figure and may be written as requirements. Annexes are designated normative (mandatory) or informative (non-mandatory) to define their application. 

1.6 Units of measurement 

The values given in SI units are the units of record for the purposes of this Standard. The values given in parentheses are for information and comparison only.