Product Overview

Summary: This specialised SOP sets out safe, consistent and compliant procedures for conducting underwater archaeology diving operations in Australian waters. It integrates scientific fieldwork requirements with robust WHS and diving safety controls, helping you protect divers, artefacts and the environment while meeting legal and professional obligations.

Underwater archaeology projects combine the complexities of scientific research with the inherent risks of diving in often remote, low-visibility and dynamic marine environments. This Safe Operating Procedure provides a clear, practical framework for planning and conducting underwater archaeological dives in line with Australian WHS legislation and recognised diving standards. It guides organisations through the full lifecycle of a project—from initial risk assessment, dive planning and permitting, through to controlled excavation, recording, sample handling and post-dive debriefs.

The SOP is designed to help heritage organisations, universities, consultancies and government agencies manage the unique risks of working around fragile cultural artefacts, entanglement hazards, vessel traffic and changing environmental conditions. It sets out how to integrate archaeological method with safe diving practices, including communication protocols, buddy systems, emergency procedures, decompression management and equipment controls. By implementing this SOP, your organisation can demonstrate due diligence, protect staff and volunteers, and ensure that underwater cultural heritage is investigated safely, ethically and in accordance with Australian legal and professional expectations.

Key Benefits

• Ensure underwater archaeology diving operations comply with Australian WHS laws and recognised diving standards.
• Reduce the likelihood of diving-related incidents such as DCS, entanglement, loss of visibility and vessel strikes.
• Standardise field methods so archaeological data collection is consistent, defensible and repeatable across projects.
• Protect fragile underwater cultural heritage by defining safe approaches to excavation, handling and recording.
• Improve coordination between archaeologists, dive supervisors, skippers and shore support through clear roles and communication protocols.

Who is this for?

• Underwater Archaeologists
• Maritime Archaeology Project Managers
• Scientific and Occupational Divers
• Dive Supervisors
• WHS Managers
• Heritage Program Coordinators
• University Fieldwork Coordinators
• Marine Contractors supporting archaeological projects
• Museum and Cultural Heritage Managers
• Government Heritage and Parks Officers

Hazards Addressed

• Decompression sickness and barotrauma from inadequate dive planning or ascent control
• Drowning and near-drowning incidents
• Entanglement or entrapment in lines, nets, wreckage and archaeological structures
• Struck-by incidents from vessels, propellers or moving equipment
• Poor visibility, strong currents and surge affecting navigation and situational awareness
• Thermal stress (hypothermia or hyperthermia) in cold or warm water conditions
• Nitrogen narcosis and gas management failures at depth
• Manual handling injuries from lifting artefacts, equipment and dive gear
• Slips, trips and falls on wet decks, jetties and access ladders
• Contaminated water exposure, including biological and chemical hazards
• Psychological stress and fatigue from prolonged or complex diving operations
• Damage to cultural heritage items due to improper handling or inadequate stabilisation

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose, Scope and Application
• 2.0 Definitions and Terminology (Diving and Archaeological)
• 3.0 Roles, Responsibilities and Competency Requirements
• 4.0 Planning Underwater Archaeology Diving Projects
• 5.0 Regulatory Approvals, Permits and Heritage Consents
• 6.0 Hazard Identification, Risk Assessment and Risk Controls
• 7.0 Environmental and Site Assessment (Currents, Visibility, Depth, Access)
• 8.0 Diving Methods for Archaeological Work (Survey, Recording, Excavation)
• 9.0 Dive Team Composition, Briefings and Communication Protocols
• 10.0 Diving Equipment, Archaeological Tools and Pre-use Checks
• 11.0 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and Exposure Protection
• 12.0 Gas Management, Decompression Planning and Depth Limits
• 13.0 Vessel Operations, Entry/Exit Procedures and Surface Support
• 14.0 Artefact Handling, Stabilisation and On-board Storage
• 15.0 Underwater Documentation and Data Recording Standards
• 16.0 Emergency Preparedness and Response (Rescue, DCS, Lost Diver)
• 17.0 First Aid, Oxygen Administration and Emergency Transport
• 18.0 Incident, Near Miss and Damage Reporting
• 19.0 Training, Induction and Competency Verification
• 20.0 Monitoring, Review and Continuous Improvement of Diving Procedures
• 21.0 Recordkeeping and Project Documentation Requirements

Legislation & References

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth) and equivalent state and territory WHS legislation
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011 (Cth) – including provisions for diving work
• Safe Work Australia – Model Code of Practice: Managing Risks of Plant in the Workplace (for vessels, compressors and lifting equipment)
• AS/NZS 2299.1: Occupational diving operations – Standard operational practice
• AS 2815 series: Training and certification of occupational divers
• AS/NZS 1715: Selection, use and maintenance of respiratory protective equipment (for surface support and contaminated environments)
• Australian National Maritime Museum and relevant state heritage guidelines for underwater cultural heritage management
• UNESCO Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage – ethical principles (as applicable in Australian practice)