Professional Diver
- Regulators
-
- Health and Safety Executive
- Nations
-
- England
- Scotland
- Wales
- Sectors
-
- Construction and engineering
- Education
- Science
- Law
- Other
- Security
- Transport
- Surveying
Regulatory or professional bodies
Primary regulator
- Regulatory authority
- Health and Safety Executive
- Address
-
Redgrave Court
Merton Road
Bootle, Merseyside
L20 7HS - Website
- https://www.hse.gov.uk
- Phone number
- +44 (0)3000 031 747
Regulation
Regulation summary
Any person at work who dives must hold a diving qualification which has been approved by HSE for the class of diving being undertaken.
Regulation type
Reserved activities
A person at work can only dive in a diving project if they hold a diving qualification approved by HSE for the class of diving being undertaken.
- More about regulated activities and titles
- https://www.hse.gov.uk/diving/index.htm
Qualifications and experience
New professionals
- Routes to qualification
-
There are a number of diver competence assessment organisations who provide training and assessment for those wishing to obtain an HSE diving qualification. HSE issues HSE SCUBA, HSE Surface Supplied, HSE Surface Supplied (Top Up) and HSE Closed Bell diver qualifications.
Some divers may follow one of the recreational training agency/organisation training programmes to achieve a qualification which is approved for diving in some classes of diving at work.
It is also possible to obtain diving qualifications within the British military. These qualifications are approved for diving in some classes of diving at work.
- More about qualification
- https://www.hse.gov.uk/diving/qualifications/approved-list.pdf
Professionals from other UK nations
- Routes to recognition within the UK
-
There are separate qualification requirements for professional diving in Northern Ireland.
- More about recognition within the UK
- https://www.hseni.gov.uk/articles/diving
Professionals from outside the UK
- Recognition for professionals outside the UK
- Some - qualifications from some countries may be recognised, but professionals from other countries will have to re-qualify
- Summary of routes
-
For many of the classes of diving, the HSE List of Approved Diving Qualifications includes qualifications from some countries from outside the UK.
There are defined criteria for approval of non-UK diving qualifications.
- More about recognition for professionals outside the UK
- https://www.hse.gov.uk/diving/qualifications/index.htm
Registration
- Registration requirements
-
None for a diver at work as an individual. There is a requirement for a company undertaking work as a diving contractor and employing a diver at work in Great Britain to provide notification of company details to HSE. In Northern Ireland, the requirement is to register with HSE Northern Ireland (HSENI).
- More about registration
- https://www.hseni.gov.uk/articles/diving#toc-1
Legislation
- Title of relevant act or charter
-
The Diving at Work Regulations 1997
- Website link to legislation
- https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1997/2776/regulation/3/made