{"id":2266,"date":"2026-05-27T15:50:11","date_gmt":"2026-05-27T20:50:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.cadc.ca\/blog\/?p=2266"},"modified":"2026-05-27T15:50:35","modified_gmt":"2026-05-27T20:50:35","slug":"cadc-highlights-important-changes-in-upcoming-csa-z275-2-26-diving-operations-standard","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.cadc.ca\/blog\/cadc-highlights-important-changes-in-upcoming-csa-z275-2-26-diving-operations-standard\/","title":{"rendered":"CADC Highlights Important Changes in Upcoming CSA Z275.2-26 Diving Operations Standard"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"New edition strengthens clarity around occupational diving scope, SCUBA limitations, underwater construction sites, and minimum crew requirements<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

Mississauga, Ontario \u2014 May 15, 2026<\/strong>\u2014 The Canadian Association of Diving Contractors is drawing attention to several important changes in the upcoming CSA Z275.2-26 Occupational Safety Code for Diving Operations<\/strong>, the national standard that provides safety requirements for occupational diving operations in Canada.<\/p>\n

The 2026 edition includes significant clarifications affecting how occupational diving operations are planned, classified, supervised, crewed, and carried out. The changes address the scope of the Standard, controlled environments, underwater construction sites, restrictions on the use of SCUBA, minimum SCUBA crew levels, and surface-supplied diving crew requirements.<\/p>\n

\u201cThese changes are important because they help clarify the safety floor for occupational diving in Canada,\u201d said Doug Elsey, P.Eng., Executive Director of the Canadian Association of Diving Contractors<\/strong>. \u201cThey reinforce that occupational diving requires proper planning, competent crews, appropriate equipment, effective supervision, and a clear emergency response capability.\u201d<\/p>\n

Occupational Diving Applies Across Industry Sectors<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

One of the most important changes in CSA Z275.2-26 is the clarification of the Standard\u2019s scope.<\/p>\n

The revised scope states that the Standard applies to all occupational diving operations conducted in connection with all types of work and employment, regardless of the industry sector in which the diving activity occurs<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

CADC says this is a significant clarification for the general industry because occupational diving hazards are determined by the task, the site conditions, the diving method, the equipment, the emergency response plan, and the competence of the dive crew \u2014 not simply by the sector in which the work is being performed.<\/p>\n

Whether the diving operation involves construction, salvage, aquaculture, film production, archaeology, inspection, scientific work, public safety, infrastructure, marine maintenance, or another occupational activity, the work must be assessed and managed as occupational diving.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe sector label does not change the hazard,\u201d Elsey said. \u201cA diver underwater still requires proper supervision, standby capability, emergency planning, competent personnel, and equipment appropriate to the task.\u201d<\/p>\n

Controlled Environment Does Not Mean Reduced Safety<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

CSA Z275.2-26 introduces a definition of controlled environment<\/strong>, referring to a diving location where the risk to the diver is assessed as low and supported by a documented risk management assessment. Examples may include protected waterways, pools or tanks with unhindered access to the surface, tended or tethered SCUBA, and locations where there is minimal risk of a diver becoming trapped or lost.<\/p>\n

However, CADC notes that the accompanying language is just as important: designating a dive location as a controlled environment does not alter or reduce the operational safety requirements specified elsewhere in the Standard<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

This means that \u201ccontrolled environment\u201d should not be interpreted as permission to reduce safety without proper justification. The designation must be supported by documented risk assessment and actual site conditions. It does not remove the need for competent supervision, proper crew planning, standby diver readiness, emergency response capability, or compliance with other applicable requirements.<\/p>\n

Underwater Construction Site Now Clearly Defined<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

The 2026 edition also adds a detailed definition of underwater construction site<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

The definition includes underwater locations where construction, destruction, demolition, maintenance, repair, renovation, excavation, blasting, concreting, salvage, installation, disassembly of infrastructure, machinery or equipment, or similar activities are actively taking place. The definition also extends through the water column and onshore to include dive control.<\/p>\n

CADC says this clarification is particularly important for clients, contractors, constructors, engineers, municipalities, utilities, insurers, regulators, and procurement authorities involved in underwater work.<\/p>\n

The definition is relevant to active work areas involving infrastructure, pipelines, tunnels, intakes, ducts, bridges, roads, wharves, dams, anchorages, underwater film production sets, oil and gas platforms, vessels, and other underwater infrastructure sites.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis helps remove ambiguity,\u201d said Elsey. \u201cIf the work involves active underwater construction, maintenance, repair, demolition, installation, salvage, or similar activity, it must be treated as serious occupational diving work. That affects planning, equipment selection, crew size, supervision, and emergency response.\u201d<\/p>\n

SCUBA Restrictions Clarified and Strengthened<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

CSA Z275.2-26 also strengthens and clarifies where SCUBA shall not be used in occupational diving operations.<\/p>\n

The Standard identifies several operations where SCUBA is prohibited, including underwater intakes and\/or pipe entry, penetration diving, welding, burning\/cutting, high-pressure jetting, most hoisting operations, dredging subject to limited exceptions, most use of power tools, planned diving beyond no-decompression limits, contaminated environments subject to limited exceptions, certain explosive-related work, and diving on an underwater construction site.<\/p>\n

CADC emphasizes that SCUBA remains an accepted occupational diving technique where it is appropriate and permitted. However, the 2026 wording makes the limits clearer.<\/p>\n

SCUBA has limitations in breathing gas supply, surface control, communications, diver recovery, and emergency response capability. For higher-risk occupational tasks, surface-supplied diving is often the more appropriate method.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor clients and procurement authorities, this is an important point,\u201d Elsey said. \u201cA lower-priced bid based on SCUBA may not be an acceptable bid if SCUBA is not appropriate or permitted for the work being performed. The diving method has to match the hazard.\u201d<\/p>\n

Four-Person SCUBA Crew Confirmed as the Default Minimum<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

The 2026 edition clarifies that the default minimum SCUBA crew is four persons<\/strong>:<\/p>\n