Diver Duties
 Inspection
Requirements and Procedures
Annual
Dive Locker Inspection
Visual Cylinder Inspection (VCI)
More Information
Annual
Dive Locker Inspection
Background
Since
their implementation, the NOAA Diving Regulations have required
annual dive locker inspections. In the past, inspection criteria
were determined at each unit, were not standardized, and in many
cases were incomplete. In 1987, a standardized inspection check
list was developed and issued to units. The original version of
this checklist was very long and several sections were not applicable
to all NOAA units. Although not perfect, the checklist established
NOAA-wide dive locker inspection guidelines. Several versions
of the checklist have been developed over the years and the present
version is significantly shorter and truly represents the typical
NOAA diving locker.
Requirements
The
Line Office/Fleet Diving Officers (LO/FDO)
are responsible for ensuring that
dive locker inspections are completed
and documented
within their line offices ANNUALLY .
The
Unit Diving Supervisor and vessel Divemasters are designated by
the LO-FDO to complete this task. Dive locker reports shall be
completed and submitted to the respective LO/FDO by January 15th
for the current calendar year.
Description
The
inspection checklist provides NOAA wide guidelines for the condition
and requirements of dive lockers. The checklist is divided into
the following sections:
Administration
Diving equipment
Support equipment
Recommended items |
Training
Breathing gas systems and storage
Specialized operations
Comments and recommendations |
The
checklist is a self-inspection tool that is used to ensure unit
readiness. When completing the checklist, be honest and do a complete
job. Any discrepancies will be identified and corrected with the
help of the NOAA Diving Center (NDC).
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Visual
Cylinder Inspection (VCI)
Policy
and Procedures
The
following procedures detail the administrative requirements for
inspecting cylinders, monitoring the distribution of stickers,
and maintaining certification as a Qualified NOAA Cylinder Inspector.
1.
As a cylinder inspection is conducted, a NDP Cylinder Inspection
Report Form (CIRF) shall be completed for each cylinder and kept
at the unit. The NDP Visual Cylinder Inspection Summary Sheet
(VCISS) shall be completed and maintained on file by the qualified
inspector. If a cylinder fails inspection, the summary sheet should
still be completed and the column for a sticker serial number
should be left blank. The remarks column should state why the
cylinder failed inspection.
2.
NDC will issue VCI stickers to qualified inspectors. Written requests
are required for sticker issue. The inspector will sign or initial
the VCISS for each sticker used. If a sticker is destroyed or
voided, an entry should be recorded on the summary sheet with
blanks left where the information is not applicable. The remarks
section should note that the sticker was voided or destroyed.
3.
All qualified cylinder inspectors are required to submit annually;
copies of VCISS to NDC for the cylinders inspected during the
year. The report is due on January 31 following the year being
reported. The report will account for all stickers that have been
issued to the inspector during the reporting period, including
those that are still on hand.
4.
All inspectors must inspect a minimum of 10 cylinders per year
to maintain their certification.
5.
NOAA stickers are to be used only on NOAA cylinders and cylinders
used to support NOAA-sponsored activities.
Training
and Certification
The
training and certification of cylinder inspectors will be conducted
during NOAA diver training classes. The following procedures shall
be followed to be certified as a NOAA Visual Cylinder Inspector:
1.
An individual must attend a class that teaches the NOAA Diving
Program protocol or an equivalent method (Professional Scuba Inspectors,
PSI) of cylinder inspection. The class will be offered through
NDP or may be obtained through other sources. The course, including
the written examination, must be successfully completed.
2.
Once an individual has successfully completed the required class
work, they must inspect a minimum of 10 cylinders under the supervision
of a currently certified NOAA Visual Cylinder Inspector. The inspections
must be completed to the satisfaction of the certified inspector.
3.
When the training requirements are met, the individual must submit
to NDC, through their Unit Diving Supervisor the documentation
to this effect and request certification as a NOAA Visual Cylinder
Inspector.
4.
The Director, NOAA Diving Program will review the request and
issue a Letter of Certification or upgrade the current letter.
You must be in receipt of a Letter of Certification before conducting
any cylinder inspections.
More
Information
More
information about Visual Cylinder Inspection is available at the
following external web sites:
Visual
Cylinder Inspection Training by Dale Fox
http://users.erols.com/adalefox/Visual_Cylinder_Inspection.htm
CFR
Title 29, Part 1910, Section 101: OSHA CFR Subpart H - Hazardous
Materials: Compressed gases
http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/get-cfr.cgi?...
Professional
Scuba Inspectors
http://www.marinestudio.com/sunpacific/psi/
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More
Information about Diving Safety Inspection Procedures (external
web sites)
TRI
Environmental Compressed Air Testing Program
http://www.texasresearchintl.com/env/compressed.htm
The
Naval Safety Center Safety Checklists
http://safetycenter.navy.mil/afloat/download/chklst.htm
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