St. John’s, NL – WorkplaceNL is extending the validity of the commercial diver’s certificate of medical fitness as divers may not be able to obtain a medical examination during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Occupational divers with a commercial diver’s certificate of medical fitness that expires between February 28 and June 1, 2020 can dive up to and including August 1, 2020.
Under normal circumstances, a valid certificate of medical fitness is required to dive and is renewed annually or more frequently if clinically indicated. WorkplaceNL understands that divers may not be able to obtain a medical appointment or may not feel comfortable attending medical appointments during the pandemic.
Employers and supervisors are required to continually assess the competency and medical fitness of occupational divers to ensure they can work safely. If a divers’ competency or level of medical fitness is not satisfactory, employers and supervisors should stop the diver from performing work immediately.
WorkplaceNL will provide another update if there are further changes. For more information, please contact OHS.Training@workplacenl.ca.
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About WorkplaceNL
Serving approximately 13,000 injured workers and 18,500 employers, WorkplaceNL administers an employer-funded, no-fault insurance system that promotes safe and healthy workplaces, provides return-to-work programs and offers compensation to injured workers and their dependents.
Media contact:
Carla Riggs, Director of Communications 709.778.1590 or carla.riggs@workplacenl.ca