Occupational diving guidelines

Working safely in the occupational diving, snorkelling and free-diving industries

These guidelines offer advice to businesses on safe occupational diving activities using compressed gas underwater, and safe occupational snorkelling and free-diving.

Working safely in the occupational diving, snorkelling and free-diving industries - A guide for PCBUs (PDF 3.3 MB)

Find out more about becoming a certified occupational diver.

Role of WorkSafe

The role of WorkSafe in occupational diving is to act as the regulator for ensuring the safe operation of the occupational divers in New Zealand. We do this by:

assessing that applicants of Certificates of Competence meet the Health and Safety in Employment Regulations regarding occupational diving
working with the diving industry to provide good guidance and to improve occupational diving best practice

The Diving Industry Advisory Group

The Diving Industry Advisory Group (DIAG) represents each of the occupational diving sectors in New Zealand and is the conduit between these sectors, hyperbaric experts and WorkSafe New Zealand.

WorkSafe and DIAG work together to identify and reduce preventable injury through adherence to good practice by industry.

For more information, see the DIAG website.(external link)

Technical bulletins

From time to time WorkSafe and DIAG may issue additional guidance to provide in-depth technical information or clarification on specific topics. These are listed below:

COVID-19 and diver safety

Advice about health and safety risks posed for occupational divers if they have been exposed to COVID-19.

COVID-19 and diver safety