CFR 171 - Commercial Diving Operations

On February 17, 2004, OSHA published in the Federal Register a final rule amending its Commercial Diving Operations standards (1910, Subpart T;  1926, Subpart Y) which became effective on March 18, 2004. This final rule allows employers of recreational diving instructors and diving guides to comply with an alternative set of requirements instead of the decompression-chamber requirements in the current Commercial Diving Operations standards. The final rule applies only when these employees engage in recreational diving instruction and diving-guide duties; use an open-circuit, a semiclosed-circuit, or a closed-circuit self-contained underwater-breathing apparatus supplied with a breathing gas that has a high percentage of oxygen mixed with nitrogen; dive to a maximum depth of 130 feet of sea water; and remain within the no-decompression limits specified for the partial pressure of nitrogen in the breathing-gas mixture. Also, a new mandatory Appendix C - Alternative Conditions Under 1910.401(a)(3) for Recreational Diving Instructors and Diving Guides (Mandatory) has been added to the amended standard.  The N.C. Commissioner of Labor adopted the revised federal standards verbatim with an effective date of September 17, 2004. For earlier Federal Registers including Preamble. 

Additional resources and information can be found on the safety and health topic page for Commercial Diving and CPL 02-00-151 - Commercial Diving.  Also reference the webpage "Does "Subpart Y - Commercial Diving Operations" Apply to You?" for construction or for general industry, Does "Subpart T - Commercial Diving Operations" Apply to You?.