Subchapter 7. General Industry Safety Orders
Group 26. Diving Operations
Article 152. Diving Operations

§6052. General Requirements.

(a) Employer Obligation.

(1) The employer shall be responsible for compliance with:

(A) All provisions of this standard of general applicability; and

(B) All requirements pertaining to specific modes to the extent diving operations in such modes are conducted.

(2) The employer shall not:

(A) Require a dive team member to be exposed to hyperbaric conditions against the employee's will, except when necessary to prevent or treat pressure related injury.

(B) Permit a dive team member to dive for the duration of any physical impairment or condition which is known to the employer and is likely to affect adversely the safety or health of the employee or other dive team members.

(b) Requirement for a Manual for Diving Safety. The employer shall develop and maintain a Manual for Diving Safety which shall be made available at the dive location to each dive team member. The emergency evacuation and emergency medical treatment sections of the Manual for Diving Safety shall be abstracted and with the decompression, repetitive, and no-decompression tables (as appropriate) be available at the dive location.

(c) The Dive Team.

(1) Person-in-Charge:

(A) The employer or an employee designated by the employer shall be at the dive location in charge of all aspects of the diving operation affecting the safety and health of dive team members.

(B) The designated person-in-charge shall have experience and training in the conduct of the assigned diving operation.

(C) Responsibilities.

1. Coordination. Diving shall be coordinated with other known activities in the vicinity which are likely to interfere with diving operations.

2. Briefing. The dive team members shall be briefed on:

(i) Dive objectives;

(ii) Any unusual hazards or environmental conditions likely to affect the safety of the diving operation;

(iii) Any modifications to diving or emergency procedures necessitated by the specific diving operation;

(iv) Immediately reporting any physical problems or adverse physiological effects including symptoms of pressure related injuries.

3. Pre-Dive Inspection. The designated-person-in-charge shall ascertain that the diver has conducted a functional check of his or her own diving equipment and shall inquire into the diver's current state of diving fitness.

(2) Diver. Qualifications: The diver shall be trained and qualified for the diving mode being used and shall have the training and experience to participate in diving activities in a safe and healthful manner.

(3) Diver-in-Training. Qualifications: The diver-in-training shall have the training and experience to participate in the training activity in safe and healthful manner.

(d) Dive Team Training and Experience.

(1) Each dive team member shall have experience or training in the following:

(A) The use of the instruments and equipment appropriate to the diving activity to be conducted.

(B) Techniques of the diving mode to be used.

(C) Dive planning and emergency procedures.

(2) All dive team members shall be trained in cardiopulmonary resuscitation, diver rescue techniques and diving related first aid.

(3) Dive team members who are exposed to or control the exposure of others to hyperbaric conditions shall be trained in diving-related physics and physiology and recognition of pressure related injuries.

(e) Warning Signal. When diving from surfaces other than vessels in areas capable of supporting marine traffic, a rigid replica of the international code flag “A” at least one meter in height shall be displayed at the dive location in a manner which allows all-round visibility, and shall be illuminated during night diving operations.

(f) First-Aid Supplies.

(1) A first-aid kit appropriate for the diving operation and approved by a physician shall be available at the dive location.

(2) When used in a decompression chamber or bell, the first-aid kit shall be suitable for use under hyperbaric conditions.

(3) In addition to any other first aid supplies, an American Red Cross standard first aid handbook or equivalent, and a bag-type manual resuscitator with transparent mask and tubing shall be available at the dive location.

(g) Record of Dive.

(1) The following information shall be recorded for each diving operation and retained for a period of one year.

(A) Names of dive team members including designated person-in-charge;

(B) Date, time and location;

(C) Diving modes used;

(D) General nature of diving activity;

(E) Approximate underwater and surface conditions (visibility, water temperature and current);

(F) Maximum depth, bottom time, surface interval time and mixed-gas profiles (if used) for each diver.

(G) Diving tables used if other than U.S. Navy Standard Air Table.

(H) For each dive outside the no-decompression limits, deeper than 100 fsw or using mixed gas, the following additional information shall be recorded and maintained:

1. Depth-time and breathing gas profiles;

2. Decompression table designation (including modification); and

3. Elapsed time since last pressure exposure if less than 24 hours or repetitive dive designation for each diver.

(2) If pressure related injuries are suspected or if symptoms are evident, the following additional information shall be recorded and retained with the record of dive for a period of 5 years.

(A) Description of symptoms (including depths and time of onset); and

(B) Description and results of treatment.

(3) Pressure Related Injury Assessment. The employer shall:

(A) Investigate and document any incident of pressure related injury.

(B) Prepare a written report of the incident resulting in the pressure related injury, including any corrective action taken, within 45 days of the incident. This report shall be retained for a period of 5 years.

(C) Take appropriate corrective action to reduce the probability of recurrence.

Note: Authority cited: Section 142.3, Labor Code. Reference: Section 142.3, Labor Code.

HISTORY

1. Amendment of subsection (c) filed 12-8-86; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 86, No. 50).

2. Amendment of subsection (b), repealer of subsections (c)(1)(A)-(B), (c)(1)(C)4.-(c)(1)(C)4.(ii) and (e)(1)-(3), new subsections (c)(1)(A)-(B) and (e), amendment of subsection (f)(1) and new subsections (f)(3) and (g)(1)(H)-(g)(1)(H)3. filed 11-28-2017; operative 11-28-2017 pursuant to Government Code section 11343.4(b)(3). Submitted to OAL for filing and printing only pursuant to Labor Code section 142.3(a)(3) (Register 2017, No. 48).