5.

33 UNDERWATER EXCAVATION OPERATIONS GUIDELINES

5.33.1 Purpose
1. Although the ADCI does not recommend the performance of underwater tasks below the mud line, in select instances it is required for the accomplishment of certain underwater operations. The purpose of this document is to identify potential hazards and recommend safety precautions when conducting underwater operations below the mud line (deep ditch). 2. This recommended procedure is applicable for all sectors of the commercial diving community, both inland and offshore.

5.33.2 Precautions:
1. When performing a variety of tasks, divers are often required to excavate areas, or enter excavated areas. 2. Hand jetting and airlifting material from the natural bottom can pose a threat of burial. 3. Extra precautions should be taken through the performance of pre-dive safety assessments. 4. Variations in seabed conditions can cause changes in stability, which might warrant a more conservative approach to operations than the outlined recommendations of this document. No standard can cover all potentialities that might be encountered. JSAs, common sense, and extra attention to detail by the entire dive team are to be considered essential components for approaching operations of this nature. JSAs should be updated as work progresses, to reflect the current conditions.

5.33.3 Definitions
Ditch: an excavation area/trench/channel created to gain access to the working area. Deep Ditch: any excavation or channel which is 6 feet or deeper from natural bottom (top of subsurface ditch) to the bottom of the subsurface ditch. Natural Bottom: depth of the seabed, prior to any excavation.

5.33.4 Responsibility
The Dive Supervisor is responsible for the welfare and safety of the dive team. The diver is responsible for ensuring that he is performing their tasks in a safe and responsible manner.

5.33.5 Potential Hazards Associated with Deep Ditch Operations

1. Ditch wall collapses and traps the diver and/or his umbilical. 2. Unintentional creation of a tunnel by the diver while hand-jetting. 3. Malfunction of jet nozzle or other component of hand-jetting tool. 4. Injury to diver or his equipment due to jet hose or water directed from the hand-jet. 5. Injury to topside personnel due to component malfunction of hand-jetting equipment. 6. Injury to diver or damage to his equipment due to airlift suction.

5.33.6 Recommended Ways to Mitigate Potential Hazards Associated with Deep Ditch Operations
1. Situational awareness on the part of the diver and topside personnel: The diver should always inspect the condition of the ditch wall prior to beginning or resuming work. a. b. Hose management / regular communication. Diver should routinely ensure that an adequate slope to depth ratio be established and maintained. At a minimum, it is recommended that a 3:1 ratio be maintained. This ratio may need to be increased, due to the instability of the bottoms composition. For every one foot excavated downward, three feet need to be excavated in an outward direction. Feet/meters are recommended as a determining factor versus angle (%), as it is easier to determine the volume of soil requiring displacement/removal, and calculating the time to accomplish this task.

2. Periodic and regular physical checks need to be made by the diver on his exact location. The diver should periodically remove himself from the ditch and return to natural bottom to assess any potential hazards to him, his umbilical, or hand-jet equipment. There are no guarantees that equipment malfunctions will not occur during the course of operations. Yet, routine pre-dive and post-dive checks of all equipment and systems are the best ways to guard against malfunction. 3. The diver should always ensure that he is capable of handling the force of pressure being emitted from the jet nozzle. Proper balance, footing, and positioning of the diver is the best way to ensure that back or frontal spray from the jet nozzle does not injure the diver or damage his equipment. Sending air to the divers pneumo and partially activating the divers free flow are other recommended practices, while conducting deep ditch operations.

5.33.7 Minimum Personnel Requirements for Deep Ditch Operations

On all Deep Ditch Operations a minimum of five (5) crew members is required, consisting of: one (1) Diving Supervisor, one (1) Diver, one (1) Stand-by Diver, and two (2) Diver/Tenders (The stand-by divers equipment and thermal protection shall be dressed / outfitted to at least equal to that of the diver).

5.33.8 Minimum Equipment Requirements for Deep Ditch Operations

1. Redundant jetting equipment, and a greater length of jet hose shall be present at the dive site. In addition, the redundant jetting equipment shall be primed, and running at an idle pressure at all times that the primary system is in use. NOTE: Deep Ditch Operations are considered construction work. Helmets are the only acceptable form of head gear for personnel working in this type of setting.

5.33.9 Personnel Qualifications

1. All members of the dive team should be trained and experienced for the tasks to be performed. In the case of deep ditch operations, underwater personnel should be properly screened to ensure that they understand the scope of work to be performed, the potential hazards involved, and the procedures for rescuing a trapped or injured diver.