A commercial diver is thoroughly trained, tested, and cleared, prior to receiving their contracting license. This type of contractor may be essential in repairing underwater plumbing or constructing new equipment that will be housed in a body of water.

A Diver's Credentials

It is a business owner's responsibility to ensure that a commercial diving contractor is fully capable of handling the workload that they are hired for. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has outlined some requirements that a diving contractor must meet. These requirements pertain to the level of training that a diver must complete.

A diver must be medically cleared and must have insurance coverage. A diver will be working with other team members while they complete a contracting job. OSHA mandates that a diver does not perform solo jobs, due to the risk of danger associated with working underwater. 

A Contract

A contract will outline the duties that an underwater dive team will be performing. Each member of a team will need to be licensed. The people who assist the diving contractor should be identified by name. All of this information should be typed up in a contract. The manufacturer of the diving equipment that is being used should be outlined in a contract.

Specifications about the type of equipment that is being used to perform a job should be provided. The dive team will need to specify how they plan to execute a job. During most diving jobs, staging equipment, safety aids, and a land crew will be utilized. The party who hires a diving contractor and the diving team members must sign off on a contract.

The Execution

Before a job is performed in the water, all of the equipment that will be utilized during the project must be transported to the job site. This process may take a few days to complete. Safety must be maintained during a job that is performed in the water. This makes it critical to inspect equipment and ensure that everything is set up properly, prior to getting in the water and beginning the job that a diving contractor has been hired for.

The crew members who remain on land will be vital in executing a job efficiently. If heavy materials will be lowered into the water, a crane and hoist may be needed to safely and accurately transport materials that a contractor and the other dive team members will be using.

Contact a company like Solomon Diving for more information.