Product Overview

Summary: This Post-Dive Decontamination Procedures SOP sets out a clear, step-by-step process for safely decontaminating divers, equipment and work areas after underwater operations. It helps Australian organisations control biological, chemical and environmental contamination risks while maintaining diver health, equipment integrity and WHS compliance.

Post-dive decontamination is a critical control point for any organisation conducting work in contaminated or potentially contaminated water, including harbours, sewerage systems, stormwater, aquaculture facilities and industrial outfalls. Without a structured procedure, divers and surface crews can be exposed to harmful pathogens, chemicals, hydrocarbons and marine biohazards, and contaminated equipment can inadvertently spread these hazards back into vehicles, workshops and other worksites. This SOP provides a clear, defensible framework for managing those risks immediately after a dive, from water exit through to final waste disposal.

Developed for the Australian regulatory environment, the Post-Dive Decontamination Procedures SOP outlines how to assess contamination levels, select appropriate decontamination methods, establish designated clean and dirty zones, and document each decontamination event. It helps businesses demonstrate due diligence under WHS legislation, standardise decontamination practices across teams and contractors, and integrate dive operations with broader infection control, environmental and hazardous chemicals management systems. By implementing this SOP, organisations can protect diver health, prolong the life of costly equipment, prevent cross-contamination to vehicles and workplaces, and reduce the likelihood of regulatory scrutiny following work in polluted or sensitive aquatic environments.

Key Benefits

• Reduce the risk of diver exposure to biological, chemical and environmental contaminants after underwater work.
• Ensure consistent, documented decontamination practices that align with Australian WHS duties and industry best practice.
• Protect expensive diving and life-support equipment from corrosion, degradation and contamination-related failure.
• Prevent cross-contamination of vessels, vehicles, workshops and accommodation facilities from contaminated dive gear.
• Streamline training for dive teams and surface support personnel with a clear, step-by-step post-dive workflow.

Who is this for?

• Dive Supervisors
• Commercial Divers
• Scientific Divers
• Defence and Police Dive Team Leaders
• Marine Construction Supervisors
• Aquaculture Operations Managers
• Emergency Services and Rescue Dive Coordinators
• WHS Managers and Officers
• Hyperbaric and Dive Medical Support Staff
• Environmental Health and Safety Managers

Hazards Addressed

• Exposure to biological contaminants such as sewage-borne pathogens, bacteria, viruses and parasites
• Exposure to chemical contaminants including hydrocarbons, solvents, heavy metals and industrial effluents
• Skin irritation, dermatitis and infection from contaminated water and fouled equipment
• Inhalation or contact with residual disinfectants and decontamination chemicals
• Cross-contamination of vehicles, vessels, work areas and accommodation from contaminated gear
• Equipment degradation or failure due to improper cleaning, disinfection or drying
• Slip, trip and fall risks in wet decontamination areas
• Manual handling injuries from lifting and moving wet, heavily contaminated dive equipment

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions and Terminology
• 3.0 Roles and Responsibilities (Dive Supervisor, Divers, Surface Support, WHS)
• 4.0 Pre-Dive Planning for Contaminated Water Operations
• 5.0 Decontamination Area Setup (Zoning, Signage and Access Control)
• 6.0 Required PPE, Tools and Decontamination Agents
• 7.0 Post-Dive Arrival and Initial Contamination Control
• 8.0 Diver Decontamination Procedure (Personal Cleaning and Hygiene)
• 9.0 Equipment Decontamination Procedure (Suit, Helmet, Regulators, Umbilicals, Tools)
• 10.0 Management of Contaminated Water, Run-off and Waste
• 11.0 Handling, Storage and Transport of Decontaminated Equipment
• 12.0 Health Monitoring and Incident Reporting (Exposure, Illness, Near Misses)
• 13.0 Environmental Protection and Spill Response Considerations
• 14.0 Cleaning Chemicals: Selection, Dilution, Use and Safety
• 15.0 Documentation, Checklists and Recordkeeping Requirements
• 16.0 Training, Competency and Refresher Requirements
• 17.0 Review, Audit and Continuous Improvement of the Procedure

Legislation & References

• Model Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth) and corresponding state and territory WHS Acts
• Model Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011 (Cth)
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Managing Risks of Hazardous Chemicals in the Workplace
• AS/NZS 2299.1:2015 Occupational diving operations – Standard operational practice
• AS/NZS 1715:2009 Selection, use and maintenance of respiratory protective equipment
• AS/NZS 4146:2000 Laundry practice (as guidance for handling and decontaminating contaminated textiles and PPE)
• Relevant state and territory public health and environmental protection legislation for handling contaminated water and waste