Diver safety – high pressure water jetting
- Safety Flash
- Published on 29 June 2011
- Generated on 26 February 2026
- IMCA SF 05/11
- 1 minute read
Updated August 2023:
The Australian National Offshore Petroleum Safety Authority (NOPSA as was) published Safety Alert 46 (attached) regarding diver safety during high pressure water jetting operations.
What happened?
The alert highlights an incident where a diver sustained a serious injury when the retro diffuser tube became detached from the gun allowing the full force of the retro jet to penetrate the diver’s arm.
This information can also be found here.
IMCA Safety Flashes summarise key safety matters and incidents, allowing lessons to be more easily learnt for the benefit of the entire offshore industry.
The effectiveness of the IMCA Safety Flash system depends on the industry sharing information and so avoiding repeat incidents. Incidents are classified according to IOGP's Life Saving Rules.
All information is anonymised or sanitised, as appropriate, and warnings for graphic content included where possible.
IMCA makes every effort to ensure both the accuracy and reliability of the information shared, but is not be liable for any guidance and/or recommendation and/or statement herein contained.
The information contained in this document does not fulfil or replace any individual's or Member's legal, regulatory or other duties or obligations in respect of their operations. Individuals and Members remain solely responsible for the safe, lawful and proper conduct of their operations.
Share your safety incidents with IMCA online. Sign-up to receive Safety Flashes straight to your email.