A.S.S.E.T Certification/Membership Criteria from January 2006

Under the Heath & Safety at Work Act, the maintenance of critical, pressure, safety and life support systems, must be carried out by a “Competent Person”.

 A broad definition of  “Competence” is a person who is both “trained and experienced” in his/her area of endeavour. There are no specific definitions laid down in HASAWA for each craft or trade though competence may be defined by an industry organisation or by legal precedent.

After consultation with employers and the HSE, ASSET has defined competence levels for Diving Technicians.

Since April 1998, ASSET Standards and Procedures have been accepted by both IDEST and SITA as “Industry Standards”.

The ASSET Training, Certification and Membership Schemes provide Members, the Diving Industry and others with a benchmark by which to judge and demonstrate “Competence”.

The following grades and definitions thereof apply from 1 January 1999.

Please note: Titles marked (M) are Membership grades, those marked (AQ) are Non Membership grades and are additional qualification  that may be required by Technicians undertaking additional scope of work.

ASSOCIATE (M)                              

A person who has no formal Technician training, but who has an interest in the maintenance and repair of diving equipment or has recently entered the industry and is under training.

Pre-requisites: None.

Level of responsibility:

An Associate may only be involved in the maintenance and repair of diving equipment under the direct supervision of an Advanced Technician or higher.

TECHNICIAN (M)

A person who has successfully completed a comprehensive course of training in the maintenance, repair and testing of Diving Equipment.

Pre-requisites:

Complete the Dive Industry Technicians Course

Level of responsibility:

An ASSET Certified Technician may undertake the maintenance or repair on those makes, and models of equipment for which Certification is held, carry out a broad variety of maintenance activities and dispense breathing air.  Ideally, an ASSET Technician should work under the indirect supervision of an Advanced Technician or higher on any other equipment until experience is gained.

ADVANCED TECHNICIAN (M)

A person with sufficient training and experience to enable him/her to work unsupervised on a wide variety of diving equipment.

ADVANCED TECHNICIANS ASSESSMENT & EVALUATION

Note: This is the minimum grade required for the responsible person in an IDEST Approved Service Centre working in accordance with ASSET CP1.

 Manufacturers Technicians are exempted from the requirement to attend three manufacturers courses unless and until they move into general practice.

CYLINDER TESTING TECHNICIAN (M)

A person who has both training and experience of the inspection and testing of transportable breathing and inert compressed gas cylinders and their valves, and who is capable working unsupervised.

 Pre-requisites:

Complete the ASSET Cylinder Testing Technicians Course (Parts 1 & 2), or

Complete both the ASSET Dive Industry Technicians Course and Part 2 Cylinder Testing  Courses, or

Have completed the IDEST Basic Cylinder Testing Course and the ASSET Part 2 Cylinder Testing Course, or

Until 1^st January 2001, have completed both the IDEST Basic and Advanced Cylinder Testing Courses, or

Until 1^st January 2001, have completed the IDEST basic Cylinder Testing course together with documented proof of at least two years full time (or the equivalent part time) experience of cylinder testing in an IDEST approved Test Station.

Level of responsibility:

The ASSET Cylinder Testing Technician may take responsibility for all cylinder inspection and testing activities and may work unsupervised. An ASSET Cylinder Testing Technician may supervise a trainee Cylinder Tester who has completed either the Part 1 Cylinder Testing Course or the Dive Industry Technicians Course.

 Note: This is the minimum grade required for the responsible person in an IDEST Approved Test Station working in accordance with ASSET CP2.