9.1 SCOPE AND APPLICATION
A. Scope. The Code of Federal Registry 29 1910 Subpart T is the foundation for the following guidelines. This guideline applies to every place of employment within Monroe county Government where diving and related support operations are performed.
This guideline applies to diving and related support operations conducted in connection with all types of work and employment performed for search, rescue, or related public safety purposes, County Engineering for bridge inspection, and diving operations performed for instructional purposes for County Employees, using open circuit, compressed-air SCUBA and conducted within the non-decompression limits which is under the direction and control of a diving program containing at least the following elements:
1. Diving Safety Manual which includes at a minimum: Procedures covering all diving operations specific to the program; procedures for emergency care, including recompression and evacuation; and criteria for diver training and certification.
2. Diving control (safety) board, with the majority of its members being active divers, which shall at a minimum have the authority to: Approve and monitor diving projects; review and revise the diving safety manual; assure compliance with the manual; certify the depths to which a diver has been trained; take disciplinary action for unsafe practices; and, assure adherence to the buddy system (a diver is accompanied by and is in continuous contact with another diver in the water) for SCUBA diving.
3. Application in emergencies. An employer may deviate from the requirements of this guideline to the extent necessary to prevent or minimize a situation which is likely to cause death, serious physical harm, or major environmental damage, provided that the employer:
a. Notifies the Area Director, Occupational Safety and Health Administration within 48 hours of the onset of the emergency situation indicating the nature of the emergency and extent of the deviation from the prescribed regulations; and
b. Upon request from the Area Director, submits such information in writing.
Employer obligation
The employer shall be responsible for compliance with:
1. All provisions of this guideline of general applicability; and
2. All requirements pertaining to specific diving modes to the extent diving operations in such modes are conducted.
9.2 DEFINITIONS as used in this guideline, the listed terms are defined as follows:
Acfm: Actual cubic feet per minute.
ASME Code or equivalent: ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers) Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, Section VIII, or an equivalent code which the employer can demonstrate to be equally effective.
ATA: Atmosphere absolute.
Bell: An enclosed compartment, pressurized (closed bell) or unpressurized (open bell), which allows the diver to be transported to and from the underwater work area and which may be used as a temporary refuge during diving operations.
Bottom time: The total elasped time measured in minutes from the time when the diver leaves the surface in descent to the time that the diver begins ascent.
Bursting pressure: The pressure at which a pressure containment device would fail structurally.
Cylinder: A pressure vessel for the storage of gases.
Decompression chamber: A pressure vessel for human occupancy such as a surface decompression chamber, closed bell, or deep diving system used to decompress divers and to treat decompression sickness.
Decompression sickness: A condition with a variety of symptoms which may result from gas or bubbles in the tissues of divers after pressure reduction.
Decompression table: A profile or set of profiles of depth-time relationships for ascent rates and breathing mixtures to be followed after a specific depth-time exposure or exposures.
Dive location: A surface or vessel from which a diving operation is conducted.
Dive-location reserve breathing gas: A supply system of air or mixed-gas (as appropriate) at the dive location which is independent of the primary supply system and sufficient to support divers during the planned decompression.
Dive team: Divers and support employees involved in a diving operation, including the designated person-in-charge.
Diver: An employee working in water using underwater apparatus which supplies compressed breathing gas at the ambient pressure.
Diver-carried reserve breathing gas: A diver-carried supply of air or mixed gas (as appropriate) sufficient under standard operating conditions to allow the diver to reach the surface, or another source of breathing gas, or to be reached by a standby diver.
Diving mode: A type of diving requiring specific equipment, procedures and techniques (SCUBA, surface-supplied air, or mixed gas).
Fsw: Feet of seawater (or equivalent static pressure head).
Heavy gear: Diver-worn deep-sea dress including helmet, breastplate, dry suit, and weighted shoes.
Hyperbaric conditions: Pressure conditions in excess of surface pressure.
Inwater stage: A suspended underwater platform which supports a diver in the water.
Liveboating: The practice of supporting a surfaced-supplied air or mixed gas diver from a vessel which is underway.
Mixed-gas diving: A diving mode in which the diver is supplied in the water with a breathing gas other than air.
No-decompression limits: The depth-time limits of the "no-decompression limits and repetitive dive group designation table for no-decompression air dives", U.S. Navy Diving Manual or equivalent limits which the employer can demonstrate to be equally effective.
Psi(g): Pounds per square inch (gauge).
Scientific diving: Diving performed solely as a necessary part of a scientific, research, or educational activity by employees whose sole purpose for diving is to perform scientific research tasks. Scientific diving does not include performing any tasks usually associated with commercial diving such as: Placing or removing heavy objects underwater; inspection of pipelines and similar objects; construction; demolition; cutting or welding; or the use of explosives.
SCUBA diving: A diving mode independent of surface supply in which the diver uses open circuit self-contained underwater breathing apparatus.
Standby diver: A diver at the dive location available to assist a diver in the water.
Surface-supplied air diving: A diving mode in which the diver in the water is supplied from the dive location with compressed air for breathing.
Treatment table: A depth-time and breathing gas profile designed to treat decompression sickness.
Umbilical: The composite hose bundle between a dive location and a diver or bell, or between a diver and a bell, which supplies the diver or bell with breathing gas, communications, power, or heat as appropriate to the diving mode or conditions, and includes a safety line between the diver and the dive location.
Volume tank: A pressure vessel connected to the outlet of a compressor and used as an air reservoir.
Working pressure: The maximum pressure to which a pressure containment device may be exposed under standard operating conditions.
9.3 PERSONNEL REQUIREMENTS
A. Qualifications of dive team
1. Each dive team member shall have the experience or training necessary to perform assigned tasks in a safe and healthful manner.
2. Each dive team member shall have experience or training in the following:
a. The use of tools, equipment and systems relevant to assigned tasks;
b. Techniques of the assigned diving mode: and
c. Diving operations and emergency procedures.
d. All dive team members shall be trained in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and first aid (American Red Cross standard course or equivalent).
e. 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.
Assignments
Each dive team member shall be assigned tasks in accordance with the employee's experience or training, except that limited additional tasks may be assigned to an employee undergoing training provided that these tasks are performed under the direct supervision of an experienced dive team member.
1. The employer shall not require a dive team member to be exposed to hyperbaric conditions against the employee's will, except when necessary to complete decompression or treatment procedures.
2. The employer shall not permit a dive team member to dive or be otherwise exposed to hyperbaric conditions for the duration of any temporary physical impairment or condition which is known to the employer and is likely to affect adversely the safety or health of a dive team member.
Designated person-in-charge
The supervisor or an employee designated by the supervisor shall be at the dive location in charge of all aspects of the diving operation affecting the safety and health of dive team members.
2. The designated person-in-charge shall have experience and training in the conduct of the assigned diving operation.
9.4 GENERAL OPERATIONS PROCEDURES
Safe practices manual
The employer shall develop and maintain a safe practices manual which shall be made available at the dive location to each dive team member.
Contents - The safe practices manual shall contain a copy of this standard and the employer's policies for implementing the requirements of this standard.
For each diving mode engaged in the safe practices manual shall include:
1. Safety procedures and checklists for diving operations;
2. Assignments and responsibilities of the dive team members;
3. Equipment procedures and checklists; and
4. Emergency procedures for fire, equipment failure, adverse environmental conditions, and medical illness and injury.
Pre-dive procedures
The employer shall comply with the following requirements prior to each diving operation, unless otherwise specified.
Emergency aid
A list shall be kept at the dive location of the telephone or call numbers of the following:
1. An operational decompression chamber (if not at the dive location);
2. Accessible hospitals;
3. Available physicians;
4. Available means of transportation; and
5. The nearest U.S. Coast Guard Rescue Coordination Center.
First aid supplies
A first aid kit appropriate for the diving operation and approved by a physician shall be available at the dive location.
1. When used in a decompression chamber or bell, the first aid kit shall be suitable for use under hyperbaric conditions.
2. 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.
Planning and assessment
Planning of a diving operation shall include an assessment of the safety and health aspects of the following:
1. Diving mode;
2. Surface and underwater conditions and hazards;
3. Breathing gas supply (including reserves);
4. Thermal protection;
5. Diving equipment and systems;
6. Dive team assignments and physical fitness of dive team members (including any impairment known to the employer);
7. Repetitive dive designation or residual inert gas status of dive team members;
8. Decompression and treatment procedures (including altitude corrections); and
9. Emergency procedures.
Hazardous activities
To minimize hazards to the dive team, diving operations shall be coordinated with other activities in the vicinity which are likely to interfere with the diving operation.
Employee briefing
Dive team members shall be briefed on:
1. The tasks to be undertaken;
2. Safety procedures for the diving mode;
3. Any unusual hazards or environmental conditions likely to affect the safety of the diving operation; and
4. Any modifications to operating procedures necessitated by the specific diving operation.
5. Prior to making individual dive team member assignments, the employer shall inquire into the dive team member's current state of physical fitness, and indicate to the dive team member the procedure for reporting physical problems or adverse physiological effects during and after the dive.
Equipment inspection
The breathing gas supply system including reserve breathing gas supplies, masks, helmets, thermal protection, and bell handling mechanism (when appropriate) shall be inspected prior to each dive.
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.
9.5 PROCEDURES DURING DIVES.
The employer shall comply with the following requirements which are applicable to each diving operation unless otherwise specified.
Water entry and exit
A means capable of supporting the diver shall be provided for entering and exiting the water.
1. The means provided for exiting the water shall extend below the water surface.
2. A means shall be provided to assist an injured diver from the water or into a bell.
Communications
An operational two-way voice communication system shall be used between:
1. Each surface-supplied air or mixed-gas diver and a dive team member at the dive location or bell (when provided or required); and
2. The bell and the dive location.
3. An operational, two-way communication system shall be available at the dive location to obtain emergency assistance.
Decompression tables
Decompression, repetitive, and no-decompression tables (as appropriate) shall be at the dive location.
Dive profiles
A depth-time profile, including when appropriate any breathing gas changes, shall be maintained for each diver during the dive including decompression.
Hand-held power tools and equipment
Hand-held electrical tools and equipment shall be de-energized before being placed into or retrieved from the water.
Hand-held power tools shall not be supplied with power from the dive location until requested by the diver.
Explosives
Employers shall transport, store, and use explosives in accordance with this section and the applicable provisions of §1910.109 and §1926.912 of Title 29 of the Code of Federal Regulations.
1. Electrical continuity of explosive circuits shall not be tested until the diver is out of the water.
2. Explosives shall not be detonated while the diver is in the water.
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 a dive team member;
3. Communications are lost and can not 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.
H. Post-dive procedures.
The employer shall comply with the following requirements which are applicable after each diving operation, unless otherwise specified.
I. Precautions
After the completion of any dive, the employer shall:
1. Check the physical condition of the diver;
2. Instruct the diver to report any physical problems or adverse physiological effects including symptoms of decompression sickness;
3. Advise the diver of the location of a decompression chamber which is ready for use; and
4. Alert the diver to the potential hazards of flying after diving.
5. For any dive outside the no-decompression limits, deeper than 100 fsw or using mixed gas as a breathing mixture, the employer shall instruct the diver to remain awake and in the vicinity of the decompression chamber which is at the dive location for at least one hour after the dive (including decompression or treatment as appropriate).
Record of dive
The following information shall be recorded and maintained for each diving operation:
1. Names of dive team members including designated person-in-charge;
2. Date, time, and location;
3. Diving modes used;
4. General nature of work performed;
5. Approximate underwater and surface conditions (visibility, water temperature and current); and
6. Maximum depth and bottom time for each diver.
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.
L. For each dive in which decompression sickness is suspected or symptoms are evident, the following additional information shall be recorded and maintained:
1. Description of decompression sickness symptoms (including depth and time of onset); and
2. Description and results of treatment.
Decompression procedure assessment
The employer shall:
1. Investigate and evaluate each incident of decompression sickness based on the recorded information, consideration of the past performance of decompression table used, and individual susceptibility;
2. Take appropriate corrective action to reduce the probability of recurrence of decompression sickness; and
3. Prepare a written evaluation of the decompression procedure assessment, including any corrective action taken, within 45 days of the incident of decompression sickness.
9.6 SPECIFIC OPERATIONS PROCEDURES
SCUBA diving
Employers engaged in SCUBA diving shall comply with the following requirements, unless otherwise specified.
1. Limits. SCUBA diving shall not be conducted:
a. At depths deeper than 130 fsw;
b. At depths deeper than 100 fsw or outside the no-decompression limits unless a decompression chamber is ready for use;
c. Against currents exceeding one (1) knot unless line-tended; or
d. In enclosed or physically confining spaces unless line-tended.
2. Procedures
a. A standby diver shall be available while a diver is in the water.
b. A diver shall be line-tended from the surface, or accompanied by another diver in the water in continuous visual contact during the diving operations.
c. A diver shall be stationed at the underwater point of entry when diving is conducted in enclosed or physically confining spaces.
d. A diver-carried reserve breathing gas supply shall be provided for each diver consisting of:
e. A manual reserve (J valve); or
f. An independent reserve cylinder with a separate regulator or connected to the underwater breathing apparatus.
g. The valve of the reserve breathing gas supply shall be in the closed position prior to the dive.
Surface-supplied air diving
Monroe County does not engage in surface supply air diving. If an operation of this type is engaged they shall comply with all regulations of 29 CFR 1910 Subpart T for surface supply air diving.
9.7 EQUIPMENT PROCEDURES AND REQUIREMENTS
All employers shall comply with the following requirements, unless otherwise specified.
Each equipment modification, repair, test, calibration or maintenance service shall be recorded by means of a tagging or logging system, and include the date and nature of work performed, and the name or initials of the person performing the work.
Air compressor system
1. Compressors used to supply air to the diver shall be equipped with a volume tank with a check valve on the inlet side, a pressure gauge, a relief valve, and a drain valve.
2. Air compressor intakes shall be located away from areas containing exhaust or other contaminants.
3. Respirable air supplied to a diver shall not contain:
a. A level of carbon monoxide (CO) greater than 20 p/m;
b. A level of carbon dioxide (CO2) greater than 1,000 p/m;
c. A level of oil mist greater than 5 milligrams per cubic meter; or
d. A noxious or pronounced odor.
4. The output of air compressor systems shall be tested for air purity every 6 months by means of samples taken at the connection to the distribution system, except that non-oil lubricated compressors need not be tested for oil mist.
Breathing gas supply hoses
Breathing gas supply hoses shall:
1. Have a working pressure at least equal to the working pressure of the total breathing gas system;
2. Have a rated bursting pressure at least equal to 4 times the working pressure;
3. Be tested at least annually to 1.5 times their working pressure; and
4. Have their open ends taped, capped or plugged when not in use.
5. Breathing gas supply hose connectors shall:
a. Be made of corrosion-resistant materials;
b. Have a working pressure at least equal to the working pressure of the hose to which they are attached; and
c. Be resistant to accidental disengagement.
C. Umbilicals shall:
1. Be marked in 10-ft. increments to 100 feet beginning at the diver's end, and in 50 ft. increments thereafter;
2. Be made of kink-resistant materials; and
3. Have a working pressure greater than the pressure equivalent to the maximum depth of the dive (relative to the supply source) plus 100 psi.
D. Buoyancy control
1. Helmets or masks connected directly to the dry suit or other buoyancy-changing equipment shall be equipped with an exhaust valve.
2. A dry suit or other buoyancy-changing equipment not directly connected to the helmet or mask shall be equipped with an exhaust valve.
3. When used for SCUBA diving, a buoyancy compensator shall have an inflation source separate from the breathing gas supply.
4. An inflatable flotation device capable of maintaining the diver at the surface in a face-up position, having a manually activated inflation source independent of the breathing supply, an oral inflation device, and an exhaust valve shall be used for SCUBA diving.
Compressed gas cylinders
Compressed gas cylinders shall:
1. Be designed, constructed and maintained in accordance with the applicable provisions of 29 CFR §1910.101 and §1910.169 through §1910.171.
2. Be stored in a ventilated area and protected from excessive heat;
3. Be secured from falling; and
4. Have shut-off valves recessed into the cylinder or protected by a cap, except when in use or manifolded, or when used for SCUBA diving.
Gauges and timekeeping devices
1. Gauges indicating diver depth which can be read at the dive location shall be used for all dives except SCUBA.
2. Each depth gauge shall be deadweight tested or calibrated against a master reference gauge every 6 months, and when there is a discrepancy greater than two percent (2 percent) of full scale between any two equivalent gauges.
3. A cylinder pressure gauge capable of being monitored by the diver during the dive shall be worn by each SCUBA diver.
4. A timekeeping device shall be available at each dive location.
Masks and helmets
1. Surface-supplied air and mixed-gas masks and helmets shall have:
2. A non-return valve at the attachment point between helmet or mask and hose which shall close readily and positively; and
3. An exhaust valve.
Oxygen safety
1. Equipment used with oxygen or mixtures containing over forty percent (40%) by volume oxygen shall be designed for oxygen service.
2. Components (except umbilicals) exposed to oxygen or mixtures containing over forty percent (40%) by volume oxygen shall be cleaned of flammable materials before use.
3. Oxygen systems over 125 psig and compressed air systems over 500 psig shall have slow-opening shut-off valves.
Weights and harnesses
1. Except when heavy gear is worn, divers shall be equipped with a weight belt or assembly capable of quick release.
2. Except when heavy gear is worn or in SCUBA diving, each diver shall wear a safety harness with:
a. A positive buckling device;
b. An attachment point for the umbilical to prevent strain on the mask or helmet; and
c. A lifting point to distribute the pull force of the line over the diver's body.
9.8 RECORDKEEPING
A. Recordkeeping requirements
The employer shall record the occurrence of any diving-related injury or illness which requires any dive team member to be hospitalized for 24 hours or more, specifying the circumstances of the incident and the extent of any injuries or illnesses.
Availability of records
1. Upon the request the employer shall make available for inspection and copying any record or document required by this guideline.
2. Records and documents required by this guideline shall be provided upon request to employees or designated representatives. Equipment inspections and testing records which pertain to employees shall also be provided upon request to employees and their designated representatives.
3. Records and documents required by this guideline shall be retained by the employer for the following period:
a. Dive team member medical records (physician's reports)--5 years;
b. Safe practices manual -current document only;
c. Depth-time profile--until completion of the recording of dive, or until completion of decompression procedure assessment where there has been an incident of decompression sickness;
d. Recording of dive -1 year, except 5 years where there has been an incident of decompression sickness;
e. Decompression procedure assessment evaluations --5 years;
f. Equipment inspections and testing records --current entry or tag, or until equipment is withdrawn from service;
g. Records of hospitalization--5 years.
4. In the event the employer ceases to do business: The Monroe County Personnel Department shall receive and retain all dive and employee medical records required by this guideline
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