In his 24 years as a commercial diver working at hydroelectric sites, 11 of which have been with OPG, Richard Hayward has pretty much seen it all.
From concrete restoration to dam repairs to welding, OPG’s divers take the plunge into cold, dark waters each day to keep the company’s hydroelectric and nuclear stations in good condition. The team of underwater experts also offer their services to other companies through OPG’s subsidiary, Canadian Nuclear Partners.
But one thing Hayward hopes to never see is an accident caused by a differential pressure hazard, also known as Delta P.
The hazard is created when water moves from an area of high pressure to one of low pressure, for instance when an opening is suddenly created on one side of a hydroelectric dam. The forces generated by this great pressure difference underwater can trap a diver against an opening, often with fatal results.
We work with these hazards all the time, but we’ve been fortunate the planning and operational experience of people on the crew have been able to mitigate and control these hazards where we can do these dives safely.Richard Hayward, Manager with OPG’s Inspection and Maintenance dive team
OPG’s dive team exemplifies the company’s commitment to safety above all else. To mitigate risks and get the job done safely, extensive safety measures are implemented and the crew of 19 divers undergoes constant, rigorous training. An operational plan detailing the scope of work is prepared before each dive and divers routinely take courses on boating and diving safety, including a special course on identifying and dealing with differential pressure hazards
Pre-dive site inspections are always conducted to visually identify any hazards from the surface. Tests are also performed underwater to detect dangers, such as a differential pressure leak, that may be hard to spot from the surface.
The team’s dedication to safety has been recognized by the province’s Ministry of Labour, which inspects OPG’s diving operations more than 20 times a year. This fall, Hayward and his crew will be providing the Ministry’s instructors a primer on common diving hazards at hydroelectric facilities and proper safety procedures.
We are the benchmark the Ministry uses to identify good, safe practice for diving operations in Ontario.Richard Hayward, Manager with OPG’s Inspection and Maintenance dive team
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