Safety Concerns Raised Over Diving in Closed Fish Cages.
Diving in closed fish cages poses significant safety risks, and operations should be avoided where possible, according to Rosmari Johnsen, section leader at the Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority (Arbeidstilsynet). Where diving is unavoidable, she emphasised that sufficient personnel must be in place to handle emergency situations.
Diving is among the most hazardous professions, with operations in closed aquaculture cages carrying heightened risks. Concerns over diver safety were reinforced following the death of a young man in autumn 2024 during a work-related diving operation in a closed cage.
Minimum staffing levels deemed insufficient
Norwegian regulations specify detailed requirements for staffing during diving operations, stating that team size must correspond to the complexity of the task and potential hazards. However, Johnsen warned that many operators adhere only to the absolute minimum staffing requirements without assessing whether this is adequate for the specific risks involved.
“It is only in the simplest diving operations that a four-person minimum team is sufficient,” she said.
Emergency response time is critical
In the event of a diving accident, time between loss of consciousness and fatality can be as short as 2.5 minutes, underscoring the need for immediate emergency response.
“Lack of preparedness is a recurring factor in diving accidents,” Johnsen said. “This can range from a standby diver not being ready to provide immediate assistance, to communication failures, insufficient reserve air supply, or malfunctioning equipment.”
The Labour Inspection Authority considers adequate staffing levels essential to ensure that a diving team can respond effectively in an emergency.
“It would be misleading to calculate staffing based solely on planned work tasks while overlooking the need for sufficient personnel in the event of an emergency,” Johnsen added.
Deficiencies in risk assessment and preparedness
A review of diving accidents by the Labour Inspection Authority has highlighted inadequate risk assessments and insufficient pre-operation planning as common factors in incidents.
The agency found that some operators fail to account for external environmental factors that could impact safety, and that dive teams have, at times, lacked either sufficient personnel or necessary qualifications to carry out the work.
“We urge both diving companies and their clients to take their responsibility for workplace safety seriously,” Johnsen said, adding that improving collaboration on risk management is key to ensuring a safe working environment.
