Is an electronic signature valid on this statement?

Yes. Electronic signatures are valid under the federal ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and UETA in most states when intent, consent, attribution, and retention can be demonstrated.

Do I need a notary or witness for the signature?

Not typically, unless a contract, permit, or insurer specifically requires notarization. Use remote online notarization if permitted by the state and the document requires notarization.

Who must sign the statement to make it enforceable?

Responsible supervisors, the dive safety officer or authorized manager, and contracting parties should sign. Signatory authority should match organizational delegation of authority.

How do I update the statement after a procedural change?

Create a revised version, note the effective date, obtain required approvals, and retain prior versions per your retention policy for auditability.

Where should I store signed statements securely?

Store in a controlled records repository with access controls, tamper-evident audit logs, and backup — retain according to regulatory and insurer requirements.

What if a regulator requests the statement during an inspection?

Provide the signed statement and related records promptly. Maintain an accessible copy and a documented chain of custody for any records produced.

Electronic Signature
Templates
Miscellaneous
Safety Diving Practices Statement

Safety Diving Practices Statement

This template is fully customizable. Edit the text, fill out the fields, and send it for signature. Give it a try!

SAFETY DIVING PRACTICES STATEMENT

Diving Contractor Name: Client Name: Project / Contract Reference: Primary Work Location:

RECITALS

WHEREAS, Contractor is engaged in commercial diving operations and represents that it maintains certified personnel, inspected diving equipment, an operational emergency response plan, and insurance customary for the services to be provided; and

WHEREAS, Client desires Contractor to perform diving services at the Work Location under the supervision and safety practices set forth in this Safety Diving Practices Statement and the parties desire to memorialize required safety measures, operational controls, and attestations; and

WHEREAS, the parties agree that adherence to the practices in this Statement is a material condition of performance and that deviations shall be permitted only by a written amendment signed by both parties.

SCOPE OF WORK

Describe diving operations, tasks, and limits of work to which these safety practices apply. This Scope governs the safety plan for all diving activities under the Project/Contract Reference above.

MANDATORY SAFETY PRACTICES

Contractor attests that the following practices and resources will be in place for all dives unless an exception is documented and signed by both parties:

Operational Controls (select all that apply):

Buddy system enforced on all in-water operations

Qualified Dive Supervisor present and in charge

Surface support and continuous communications in place

Decompression procedures and tables/profile monitoring employed

Gas-management and reserve protocols documented and enforced

Medical clearance for all divers obtained and on file

All diving equipment inspected and certified for use

Emergency oxygen and first aid kit immediately available on site

SAFETY PROCEDURES AND DOCUMENTATION

Contractor will prepare and maintain a written Dive Plan for each operation including hazard analysis, communications protocol, emergency response plan, and daily dive log entry. The Dive Plan will be provided to Client prior to commencement of in-water activity and will include site-specific contingencies.

Dive Supervisor Name: Vessel / Platform Name:

INCIDENT REPORTING & RECORDS

All incidents, near misses, and safety deficiencies discovered during diving operations shall be reported in writing within 24 hours. Contractor will retain dive logs, equipment maintenance records, and medical clearances for a minimum of three (3) years and will permit Client reasonable access for inspection.

PAYMENT TERMS

Client agrees to pay Contractor for the diving services described in the Scope of Work in accordance with the amounts and schedule set forth below.

Total Contract Amount: Payment Schedule / Milestones: Late Payment Fee:

TERM AND TERMINATION

This Statement becomes effective as of the Start Date below and continues until completion of the Scope of Work or until terminated in accordance with this section.

Start Date: End Date:

Notice Period for Termination (days):

Either party may terminate immediately for material breach relating to safety practices, gross negligence, willful misconduct, or failure to correct a safety deficiency that creates an imminent hazard, provided written notice is given and the breaching party fails to remedy within the notice period when cure is feasible.

CONFIDENTIALITY

Each party shall maintain the confidentiality of proprietary safety plans, medical information, and technical reports provided by the other party in connection with diving operations. Confidential information does not include information that is public through no breach of this Statement, independently developed, or required to be disclosed by law, provided the disclosing party is given prompt notice and a reasonable opportunity to seek protective relief.

Confidentiality Acknowledgement:

Parties acknowledge and agree to the confidentiality obligations above.

GOVERNING LAW

This Statement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of: without regard to choice-of-law principles. Any dispute arising out of or relating to diving safety practices hereunder shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of courts in the governing state unless otherwise agreed in writing.

OTHER TERMS

Entire Agreement: This Statement, together with any referenced Dive Plans and the underlying contract documents identified in the Project / Contract Reference, constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to diving safety practices and supersedes prior oral or written statements on the same subject.

Severability: If any provision of this Statement is held invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.

Indemnity: Contractor shall indemnify and hold harmless Client from claims arising from Contractor's negligent acts or omissions in the performance of diving services; Client shall indemnify Contractor for claims arising from Client's negligence or breach of site safety requirements.

SAFETY CERTIFICATION

By signing below, each party certifies that it has reviewed and accepts the safety practices set forth in this Statement; that the persons signing have authority to bind their respective organizations; and that the information, attestations, and selections made in this document are complete and accurate to the best of the signatory's knowledge.

Additional Safety Notes (optional):

Diving Contractor - Printed Name:

By:

Date:

Client - Printed Name:

By:

Date:

What the Safety Diving Practices Statement Is

A Safety Diving Practices Statement is a formal document that records the safety policies, operational controls, and emergency procedures governing commercial or organized diving activities. It summarizes qualifications, equipment checks, permitted dive profiles, medical clearance requirements, and on-site communication protocols. The statement serves as an auditable record for employers, contractors, regulators, and insurers and is used to ensure consistent application of diving safety standards during planning, execution, and incident review.

Why a Clear Safety Diving Practices Statement Matters

A well-crafted statement reduces operational risk, clarifies responsibilities, and documents compliance with applicable safety standards and permit conditions. It supports incident investigation, helps satisfy insurers and regulators, and improves crew readiness through consistent procedures.

Who Typically Prepares and Uses This Statement

Organizations involved in organized or commercial diving create and maintain this statement to manage risk and meet regulatory or contractual obligations.

Commercial dive operators and supervisors who plan and execute underwater work and oversee crew safety
Corporate safety managers and HSE officers responsible for permit compliance and incident reporting
Training organizations and certifying bodies that require documented procedures for course delivery

The document is also referenced by insurers, clients contracting dive services, and accident investigators when reviewing adherence to accepted safety practices.

Step-by-step: Completing a Safety Diving Practices Statement

Follow a clear sequence to collect details, verify qualifications, and document controls before operations begin.

01

Gather Parties: List contractor, operator, and client names and contacts.
02

Define Scope: Describe dive type, location, and objectives.
03

Specify Controls: Document equipment checks, emergency plans, and procedures.
04

Authorize Signatures: Obtain signatures from responsible supervisors and safety officers.

Essential Information Elements to Include

Diver Details: Full name and certification

Medical Status: Clearance date and limitations

Equipment List: Primary and redundancy items

Emergency Plan: Responder steps and medevac

Communications: Radio and surface monitoring

Training Records: Recent drills and dates

Common Preparation Pitfalls to Avoid

Leaving emergency contact phone numbers incomplete or local-only can delay response when operations occur offshore or across jurisdictions.
Failing to specify acceptable gas mixes, depth limits, or decompression schedules creates ambiguity and raises liability in an incident.
Relying on verbal confirmations instead of documented medical clearances and certification expiry dates risks noncompliance and insurance denials.
Neglecting to update the statement after equipment changes or crew rotations leads to mismatched expectations during operations.

Consequences of an Incorrect or Missing Statement

Regulatory Fines: Civil penalties or permit sanctions

Insurance Denial: Claims may be reduced or rejected

Operational Delay: Work stoppages pending corrective action

Increased Liability: Higher exposure in civil suits

Reputational Harm: Loss of client trust and contracts

Criminal Risk: Possible prosecution in severe negligence

Core Sections Every Professional Statement Should Contain

Ensure the statement covers standards, controls, and verification methods so teams can operate consistently and defensibly.

Scope

Clearly define the operation type, geographic boundaries, and dive-specific objectives so responsibilities and limits are unambiguous.

Personnel

Identify roles, minimum qualifications, and supervision levels required for each dive team member and surface support personnel.

Equipment

List required primary and backup equipment, inspection intervals, and acceptance criteria for equipment used during the operation.

Procedures

Set pre-dive checks, emergency actions, decompression management, and communication protocols that crew must follow.

Medical

Document medical screening, oxygen provisioning, evacuation routes, and a named medical liaison for incident triage.

Recordkeeping

Specify what records are retained, retention periods, and who controls access for audits or incident investigations.

How to Customize and Complete the Statement Online

Configure fields and approval routing to match operational roles and permit requirements before sending for signatures.

Field	Configuration
Responsible Party	Set signer role and email for approvals
Conditional Sections	Show medical fields only for specific dive types
Authentication	Require SMS or email code for signer identity
Audit Trail	Enable timestamps and IP capture

Where to File, Send, or Submit the Statement

Decide recipients and archival destinations based on internal policy, client contracts, and any permit or regulator requirements.

Internal Records: Store the signed statement in the safety management system.
Client Delivery: Provide the client-specified contact or contract repository.
Regulatory Submissions: Submit to permitting authority if required by local regulations.
Insurer Files: Share copies with insurers per policy conditions.

Digital Signing, File Formats, and Integration Notes

Use platforms that support PDF and DOCX formats and create tamper-evident audit records for signed statements.

File Types: PDF/A and DOCX are widely accepted
Integrations: Connectors to CRM and cloud storage
Authentication: SMS, email codes, or ID checks

When selecting an eSignature tool, verify it meets your data protection and audit requirements and integrates with existing systems such as CRM, cloud storage, or project management platforms.

Key Timelines, Deadlines, and Review Expectations

Track timing for statement approval, incident updates, and periodic reviews to maintain currency and compliance.

Pre-Operation Approval:

Obtain signed statement before the first dive of the operation

Daily Checks:

Perform equipment and communication checks each operational day

Post-Incident Update:

Revise the statement within 72 hours after a reportable incident

Annual Review:

Conduct full procedural review at least once per year

Permit Renewal:

Align statement updates with permit expiration and renewal cycles

Typical eSignature Vendor Pricing and Feature Overview

Comparison of common eSignature pricing features and capabilities to help align platform choice with your documentation and compliance needs.

	signNow	DocuSign	Adobe Sign	PandaDoc	HelloSign
Starting Price	$8/user/mo	$15/user/mo	$14/user/mo	$19/user/mo	$15/user/mo
Free Trial	7-day trial	Varies	Varies	Varies	Varies
Bulk Send	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Audit Trail	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
HIPAA Compliant	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No

FAQs and Troubleshooting for the Safety Diving Practices Statement

Answers to common questions about validity, signing, notarization, updates, and secure storage of the statement.

Need help? Contact support

Is an electronic signature valid on this statement?
Yes. Electronic signatures are valid under the federal ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and UETA in most states when intent, consent, attribution, and retention can be demonstrated.
Do I need a notary or witness for the signature?
Not typically, unless a contract, permit, or insurer specifically requires notarization. Use remote online notarization if permitted by the state and the document requires notarization.
Who must sign the statement to make it enforceable?
Responsible supervisors, the dive safety officer or authorized manager, and contracting parties should sign. Signatory authority should match organizational delegation of authority.
How do I update the statement after a procedural change?
Create a revised version, note the effective date, obtain required approvals, and retain prior versions per your retention policy for auditability.
Where should I store signed statements securely?
Store in a controlled records repository with access controls, tamper-evident audit logs, and backup — retain according to regulatory and insurer requirements.
What if a regulator requests the statement during an inspection?
Provide the signed statement and related records promptly. Maintain an accessible copy and a documented chain of custody for any records produced.

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