Marine and diving standards revision project looking for participants
Standards Australia have initiated the revision of two standards used in scientific diving and we are looking for New Zealand nominees to dive into a joint committee with Australia, for SF-020 Scientific Diving.
Scuba diver by Ilse Reijs and Jan-Noud Hutten/CC BY 2.0.
Get involved in the revision of AS/NZS 2299.2:2002 Occupational diving operations, Part 2: Scientific diving and AS/NZS 2815.6:2013 Training and certification of occupational divers, Part 6: Restricted occupational SCUBA diver.
We need a minimum of three nominees and participation fees can be split amongst different organisations – there’s no limit to how many can contribute. If you use these standards, it's important to get involved to maintain New Zealand's interests in the standards that impact your work.
Protecting divers
The proposed projects will improve workplace health and safety (WHS) by providing clarity and harmonisation through fit-for-purpose standards concerning scientific diver operations for PCBUs (person conducting business or undertaking), training and certification. Proposed changes in the operational standard aim to harmonise the diving categories with existing WHS regulations and support international harmonisation in the sector, further competitiveness and international collaboration and reducing confusion within the scientific sector.
Changes include the training and first aid requirements for dive coordinators, clarifications regarding diving environments, modernised terminology and equipment thus increasing diver health and safety outcomes.
Protect the environment
Scientific Diving is diving performed for the purpose of professional scientific, ecological and conservational or archaeological research, or related educational activities. Standards play a part in harmonising practice across the Tasman and need to be maintained to remain responsive to modern needs. Universities around Australia have seen a decline in students participating in subtidal research with an ecological and conservational focus due to barriers with the existing training standard.
Promote competition and collaboration
The new standard will allow greater collaboration with the international scientific diving community.
A Standard that enables international scientific divers to carry out research in Australia and New Zealand is critical given that a high level of marine research is done by overseas researchers, often in collaboration with domestic researchers. The revised standards in line with international practice opens the doors to increased international collaboration, research funding (including international funding), and the subsequent economic benefits of increased scientific research (which informs decisions made relating to industries such as sustainable tourism, fisheries, reef and national park management, coastal activity, and climate change).
Want to be a part of this?
Standards Australia are reaching out to interested parties for involvement and here, New Zealand organisations can join them through Standards New Zealand. Participating in joint standards is important – it ensures they reflect New Zealand needs, prevents dejointing (where New Zealand no longer has a say in standards used domestically) and also offers an opportunity for committee participants to learn from other professionals, gain first hand knowledge of latest good practice and build on professional networks – an investment that reaps benefits for individuals and the organisations they work for.
For expressions of interest from nominating organisations, email Shaayal Sukul, Advisor, Joint Standards Development.
Deadline is Monday 12 February.