WAC 296-127-01316   Diver and diver tender.  For the purpose of the Washington state public works law, chapter 39.12 RCW, divers perform a variety of underwater applications and operations such as structural repair and demolition, underwater welding and cutting, dredging, debris removal and excavation. Diver tenders aid and assist divers by coordinating activities. By classification, this work includes, but is not limited to:

     (1) Diving master/supervisor. Is the designated person in charge (per Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) regulations) during operations requiring multiple divers in the water/liquid medium. Is in charge of and responsible for all aspects of the diving operation and supervising all personnel in the dive team.

     (2) Diver. A person who wears a type of diving gear that directly supplies compressed air or other gasses for breathing purposes and who personally enters and descends below the surface of the water or other liquid medium to work at ambient pressures encountered therein; including a person working in a one atmosphere bell/vehicle; to inspect, repair, remove, or install equipment or structures. The diver:

     • Descends into water with the aid of diver tender and communicates with surface by signal line or telephone; and

     • Inspects docks; and hulls, fittings, and propellers of ships; or

     • Repairs vessels below waterline, replacing fastenings and adding or repairing hull fittings; or

     • Caulks leaks in ships or caissons; or

     • Guides placement of pilings for structures, such as docks, bridges, cofferdams, oil drilling platforms, and storm water/sewerage outfalls; or

     • Lays, inspects, and repairs underwater pipelines, cables and sewers, using hand tools; or

     • Cuts and welds steel; uses air bladder lifting devices for working underwater; or

     • Cleans debris from intake and discharge strainers; or

     • Places rigging around objects and hooks rigging to crane lines; or

     • Rigs explosives for underwater demolitions; or

     • Places recording instruments below surface of water preparatory to underwater tests or experiments; or

     • Sets sheet piling for cofferdams; or

     • Drills holes in rock for blasting purposes at bottom of liquid medium; or

     • Photographs underwater structures; or

     • Places sandbags around pipelines or base of cofferdam to provide structural support.

     (3) Diver tender. A person who works from above the surface of the water or liquid medium to:

     • Aid and assist the diver by coordinating topside activity;

     • Aid in dressing and undressing the diver;

     • Maintain communications with the diver; or

     • Generally maintain the diving equipment on the job site.

     (4) Assistant tender. A person who acts as an extra tender available to assist the diver's regular tender.

     (5) RCV/ROV pilot-controller. A person who uses remote controls to fly/drive remotely controlled vehicle(s) during underwater functions, and performs routine field maintenance of the RCV/ROV.

     (6) RVC/ROV tender. A person who assists the RCV/ROV pilot-controller.



[Statutory Authority: Chapter 39.12 RCW and RCW 43.22.270. 08-23-082, § 296-127-01316, filed 11/18/08, effective 1/1/09.]