BAN THE USE OF MAXIMUM DIVERS EXCURSIONS

Our ref: HSR/2/4

Head Office Circular: NP/239/22

27^th October 2022

To: The Secretary

ALL BRANCHES

REGIONAL COUNCILS

 

Dear Colleague,

 

BAN THE USE OF MAXIMUM DIVERS EXCURSIONS 

 

Your Biennial RMT Offshore Industrial Organising Conference (BIOC) 2022 carried the following resolution:

 

We call upon the Offshore BIOC to use all and every available resource to ban the indiscriminate use of Divers maximum excursions, with or without a hold period prior to commencing a decompression. From a poll carried out on board, 71% of Divers reported feeling ill after carrying out a maximum excursion.

 

94% of Divers asked, reported that it prolonged their recovery time. The use of these excursions should be seen as creating an elevated risk, as shown by the polls. 

 

Companies have a duty of care to ensure the wellbeing and safety of their employees which is not being adhered to. Serious consideration should be given to adopting as standard, the Norwegian tables which have documented proof, that Divers feel both, physically and mentally much better after using these tables (NORSOK Standard-U100, Manned Under Water Operations).

 

At a Special Meeting on 25^th October 2022, your National Executive Committee (NEC) resolved as follows: 

 

That we note the concern of the BIOC regarding Divers’ excursions and instruct the General Secretary to convene a meeting with the Lead Officer responsible for our Diver members, the National Secretary, diving representatives and the NEC to discuss progression of this matter.

All affected members, Branches and Regional Councils to be advised.

I am acting in line with these instructions. Please bring the contents of this circular to the attention of relevant members. 

 

Yours sincerely

 

 

Michael Lynch

General Secretary