The Department of Employment and Labour is to host a series of commercial diving workshops to discuss the recently unveiled sector regulations.

The new commercial diving regulations were promulgated on 20 May 2022. They have replaced the diving regulations which were promulgated in 2009.

The commercial diving industry covers a broad spectrum of activities both offshore and inland. It involves the activity where people need to go underwater to work.

The Department of Employment and Labour regulates only commercial diving operations in the Republic of South Africa. Thus, the new regulations apply to all commercial diving operations and all persons engaged in commercial diving operations in the country or the territorial waters. These regulations ensure that the occupational health and safety of persons involved in the diving operations is promoted.

The key issues that will be discussed during the workshops are:

1. The re-issuing of diving certification to all commercial divers, diving supervisors, instructors and designated medical practitioners and their validity period.
2. The registration of chamber operators and diving contractors as this is a new requirement included in the current regulations and the validity of their certification.
3. The requirements that the commercial diving schools need to comply with before continuing with the training of commercial divers.
4. The audits that will be conducted by the Department before issuing of the certification to the commercial diving schools and the diving contractors.
5. The revised training standards and its implications to the commercial diving schools
6. During the workshops, the constitution of the Diving Technical Committee will be discussed and nominees of the Committee members will be requested from the participants.
   
   These workshops will be a good platform for stakeholders involved with diving operations to interact with the Department and seek clarity on the new commercial diving regulations.
   
   The workshops will be held as follows:

• 12 July 2022 – Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), at Transnet offices N2 Freeway Neptune Road

     Port of Ngqura, Off Klub Road

     TNPA eMendi Administration Building

     Elwandle Boardroom

     08:30am

• 13 July 2022 – Cape Town, at University of Cape Town

John Day LT2 in the John Day Building, University Ave North, UCT, Upper Campus, Rondebosch.

09:00am

• 18 July 2022 – Durban, at uShaka Marine

South African Association for Marine Biological Research (SAAMBR)

uShaka Marine

08:30am

These workshops follow on the heels of the recently celebrated World Ocean Day on June 8. The celebration encourages action throughout the year to protect the planet. It is part of a global movement to safeguard at least 30% of the world's land, waters and ocean by 2030.

For more information on the workshops contact:

Jabulile Mhlophe

Specialist: Occupational Health and Hygiene (OHH)

Department of Employment and Labour

Cell: 0827493313

Tel: 012 309-4400

or

Teboho Thejane

Departmental Spokesperson

Cell: 082 697 0694

Teboho.Thejane@labour.gov.za

-ENDS-

Issued by: Department of Employment and Labour​

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