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 (parsons.mel@epa.gov), Chair, EPA Diving Safety Board.

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Manuals and Reports

• EPA Diving Safety Manual V 2.0 - May 2022 (pdf) (4.9 MB, May 2022, Revision 2.0)
  Policies, standard operating procedures, and standard methods for EPA's underwater/diving safety program.
• EPA Vessel Safety Manual (pdf) (2.52 MB, April 2012)
  Requirements for safety and occupational health on EPA vessels.
• 2019 EPA National Diving Safety Program Annual Report (pdf) (6.04 MB, March 2020)
  Summary of EPA's National Diving Safety Program activities from October 1, 2018 through September 30, 2019.
• 2018 EPA National Diving Safety Program Annual Report (pdf) (5.62 MB, January 2019)
  Summary of EPA's National Diving Safety Program activities from October 1, 2017 through September 30, 2018.
• 2017 EPA National Diving Safety Program Annual Report (pdf) (4.31 MB, January 2018)
  Summary of EPA's National Diving Safety Program activities from October 1, 2016 through September 30, 2017.
• 2016 EPA National Diving Safety Program Annual Report (pdf) (3.06 MB, March 2017)
  Summary of EPA's National Diving Safety Program activities from October 1, 2015 through September 30, 2016.
• 2015 EPA National Diving Safety Program Annual Report (pdf) (3.48 MB, May 2016)
  Summary of EPA's National Diving Safety Program activities from October 1, 2014 through September 30, 2015.
• 2014 EPA National Diving Safety Program Annual Report (pdf) (1.63 MB, October 2015)
  Summary of EPA's National Diving Safety Program activities from October 1, 2013 through September 30, 2014.