Choosing an ideal commercial diving contractor can be a difficult undertaking at times.
Commercial diving is tightly controlled, with regulations spanning numerous jurisdictions, including Canadian legislation, international guideline documents, and manufacturer recommendations.
Simply comprehending what is required for a specific work can necessitate a large amount of specialised knowledge. The primary concern when choosing a commercial diving contractor should be safety. Diving is a high-risk profession that isn’t always forgiving of laziness. A competent contractor should be able to demonstrate a comprehensive risk management system that fits within the legal environment in which it operates. A responsible diving contractor should be able to demonstrate several of the following:
• Diving Operations manual
• Safety Management Plan
• Extensive procedures and work instructions
• Management systems that are accredited
• External awards or endorsements of management systems
• Accreditation to work for global major organisations
• Ongoing internal auditing
• Maintenance of equipment to manufacturers standards by qualified personnel
• Compliance with relevant legislation
• Credible and transparent reporting of incidents
Ability to employ enriched gas, knowledge in specific disciplines of diving, specialist qualifications, in-house resources, quality and openness of reporting, and client testimonials are all factors to consider. Look for a management team with a lot of experience, a lot of inside knowledge, and a holistic approach to employment. It’s crucial to look beyond comparing reported day rates when evaluating a contractor’s suitability for a work. A well-resourced and organised diving crew will outperform a disorganised one in terms of production. Reputable contractors may frequently contemplate risk sharing with clients to hard price or cap costs on jobs, allowing for accurate cost comparisons.
Consider a few important factors to select the best company for your underwater construction, maintenance, repair, and inspection needs. One of the most important things to consider is the capabilities of the companies you are considering for your project. Ideally, you want a company with many years of experience, a diverse range of services, including construction, maintenance, repair, inspection, and technical support services, so you can have all your needs met by one organization.
When a company fails to comply with all codes, regulations, and standards for safety, problems can result. In the case of underwater projects, the consequences can be severe, or even deadly. For this reason, you should take care to hire an experienced company with a proven track record of following the highest safety standards. The company should work with you to design a solution that is tailored to your specific needs and take the time to address your concerns and answer your questions.
Before hiring a commercial diving contractor, follow these steps:
STEP ONE (Ask about their business)
• How long have they been in business?
• Can they give you a list of references?
• Do they use a written contract that includes the scope of the work and terms of payment?
• Will they provide you with the following documentation?
1. A copy of their WorkSafe BC/WCB Certificate. Make sure it is current.
2. A copy of their work-related insurance certificate to ensure that risks are covered.Insurance should include a pre-set amount of liability coverage.
STEP TWO (Ask about health and safety)
• Do they have a health and safety policy and program? (This is legally required if the contractor employs five or more workers.)
• Will they give you assurances that the work will be performed by competent workers? • Workers must have received training in the health and safety competency requirements associated with the job (e.g., proof of Diver Certification Board of Canada (DCBC) certification).
• Will they give you written assurance that they will comply with the legislation that governs the work? (e.g., A qualified (DCBC-certified) diving supervisor must be on the site.)
• Can they provide a contact name and the name of the supervisor that will be at the site?It’s important for you to have someone in a position of authority that you can talk to if needed.
STEP THREE (Protect yourself)
Any diving work for compensation makes it a commercial diving operation and requires that you hire a professional diving contractor who meets the requirements of the Diving Operations regulation (629/94).
If diving contractors do not provide you with the information, you’ve asked for, they may not have WSIB coverage or insurance of any kind. You could be personally liable if an accident or an injury occurs. This can include being held liable for medical and other costs.
You could also be exposed to lawsuits. Do not rely on verbal promises. Protect yourself and your assets. Ensure that the contractor gives you a written contract that includes the specific work to be performed, terms of payment, and warranties or guarantees. If contractors do not provide this, you shouldn’t hire them.
One of the leading commercial diving companies in Canada is Ven-Tech Subsea. Ven-Tech Subsea is a Canadian based commercial diving and ROV company, specializing in underwater inspections, underwater construction, and ROV services. Their team of professional Divers and ROV Pilots/Technicians provide marine construction, underwater civil engineering, salvage/recovery, underwater inspections, and demolition services nationwide and are available for any marine or underwater project at a moment’s notice.
Ven-Tech Subsea is committed to delivering a high-quality service in an efficient and safe manner, within agreed budget and schedule constraints. Personnel at Ven-Tech Subsea recognize the importance of quality and safety management applications and strive to complete project scopes with due regard to the applicable statutory regulations, project specifications, procedures, and documentation requirements.
Combining extensive experience, they aim to find innovative solutions to underwater problems and to provide direct supervision and liaison at all stages of preparation and execution of a project, they believe they can aid any marine project, large or small.
They always aspire to deliver a “Hands On” service approach to all their diving and ROV contracts. Their business is based on personal contact and service to their clients. With their specialized teamwork of well-trained professional divers and superior equipment, they can deliver turnkey underwater solutions.
Their extensive experience, state of the art equipment, technology and unprecedented safety record is what sets them apart from any of the other commercial diving services in Canada.
