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Subchapter 7. General Industry Safety Orders
Group 26. Diving Operations
Article 153. Commercial Diving Operations
(a) General. The employer shall comply with the following requirements which are applicable to each diving operation unless otherwise specified.
(b) Water Entry Exit.
(1) A means capable of supporting the diver shall be provided for entering and exiting the water.
(2) The means provided for exiting the water shall extend below the water surface.
(3) A means shall be provided to assist an injured diver from the water or into a bell.
Exception: This subsection shall not apply to SCUBA diving operations.
(4) Working with a diver. The employer shall meet the following additional requirements when working with a diver in the water:
(A) If a crane/derrick is used to get a diver into and out of the water, it shall not be used for any other purpose until the diver is back on board. When used for more than one diver, it shall not be used for any other purpose until all divers are back on board.
(B) The operator shall remain at the controls of the crane/derrick at all times.
(C) In addition to the requirements in Sections 5001 through 5001.2 (Signals), either:
1. A clear line of sight shall be maintained between the operator and tender; or
2. The signals between the operator and tender shall be transmitted electronically.
3. The means used to secure the crane/derrick to the vessel/flotation device [see Section 4988.8(e)] shall not allow any amount of shifting in any direction.
(c) Communications.
(1) An operational two-way voice communication system shall be used on all dives between:
(A) Each surface-supplied air or mixed-gas diver and a dive team member at the dive location or bell (when provided or required); and
(B) The bell and dive location.
(2) An operational two-way communication system shall be available at the dive location to obtain emergency assistance.
Exception: This subsection, (c) communications, shall not apply to SCUBA and HOOKAH diving operation conducted within no-decompression limits.
(d) Dive Profiles. A depth-timer profile, including when appropriate any breathing gas changes, shall be maintained for each diver during the dive including decompression.
Exception: This subsection shall not apply to SCUBA and HOOKAH diving operations conducted within no-decompression limits.
(e) Termination of Dive. The working interval of a dive shall be terminated when:
(1) A diver requests termination;
(2) A diver fails to respond correctly to communications or signals from the dive team member or the "buddy diver";
(3) Communications are lost and cannot be quickly re-established between the diver and a dive team member at the dive location, and between the designated person-in-charge and the person controlling the vessel in liveboating operations; or
(4) A diver begins to use diver-carried reserve breathing gas or the dive-location reserve breathing gas.
1. New subsections (b)(4)-(b)(4)(C)3. filed 7-7-2011; operative 7-7-2011. Exempt from OAL review pursuant to Labor Code section 142.3(a)(3) (Register 2011, No. 27).
2. Amendment of subsection (d) 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).
3. Amendment of subsection (b)(4)(C) filed 7-26-2022; operative 7-26-2022 pursuant to Government Code section 11343.4(b)(3) (Register 2022, No. 30). Filing deadline specified in Government Code section 11349.3(a) extended 60 calendar days pursuant to Executive Order N-40-20 and an additional 60 calendar days pursuant to Executive Order N-71-20.
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