EPA's Diving Safety Program
EPA's Diving Safety Program includes policies, guidelines, and standard operating procedures that help minimize our workers' occupational hazards.
Our Diving Safety Manual (see below) addresses job-related hazards typically found at land-based EPA work sites, as well as hazards specific to underwater environments, including:
- Immersion in chemically and/or biologically contaminated waters, and
- Hyperbaric-induced illnesses, such as decompression sickness (DCS) and arterial gas embolism (AGE).
Diving Safety Board
We have an active Diving Safety Board made up of experienced divers from each of our diving units. The Board recommends policy and changes in operating procedures, and routinely reviews existing policies, procedures and training to ensure a high level of technical skills and knowledge throughout our diving program.
For more information about diving safety at EPA, contact Mel Parsons ([email protected]), Chair, EPA Diving Safety Board.
Manuals and Reports
For EPA divers (no public access): Additional field resources can be found at R10 Dive Sharepoint and National Dive Program Sharepoint.
- EPA Diving Safety Manual V 2.0 - May 2022 (pdf)
- EPA Vessel Safety Manual (pdf)
- 2019 EPA National Diving Safety Program Annual Report (pdf)
- 2018 EPA National Diving Safety Program Annual Report (pdf)
- 2017 EPA National Diving Safety Program Annual Report (pdf)
- 2016 EPA National Diving Safety Program Annual Report (pdf)
- 2015 EPA National Diving Safety Program Annual Report (pdf)
- 2014 EPA National Diving Safety Program Annual Report (pdf)