Osha Compliance Manual

OSHA directive seeks to eliminate underwater hazards

Divers who spend extended periods of time underwater run the risk of drowning, circulatory and respiratory problems, and hypothermia, according to OSHA. The updated guidance is intended to ensure consistent enforcement and compliance with OSHA's commercial diving operations standards.

The guidance includes the following changes:

OSHA originally issued its commercial diving standard in 1977. In 1985, the agency published a Federal Register notice that exempted scientific diving from the commercial diving standard's requirements if those diving operations met certain conditions. The standard was amended in 2004 to allow recreational diving instructors and guides to comply with an alternative set of requirements instead of the decompression chamber requirements in the existing standard.

Among the new frequently asked questions is the question, Are diving operations involving the underwater inspection of bridges and other submerged structures considered to be "scientific diving" and, if so, what standards apply to these divers? The answer: The exemption from OSHA's commercial diving standard for scientific diving would not be applicable to underwater inspections of bridges or other submerged structures.

OSHA Compliance Manual: Fire Prevention Plans (FPPs)

When a fire is in the initial stage or beginning stage and can be controlled or extinguished by portable fire extinguishers or Class II standpipe or small hose systems without the need for protective clothing or breathing apparatus, it is called an incipient stage fire. When a fire goes beyond the incipient stage, outside help is almost always necessary. Employers are generally required to provide portable fire extinguishing equipment for use in fighting incipient stage fires in the workplace. Section 1910.157, however, provides alternatives for employers who do not want their employees to fight incipient stage fires in the workplace. Employers that opt for the evacuation of all or most employees to a safe area do not have to comply with certain requirements of §1910.157, depending on the option chosen. These options are: Some employers keep portable fire extinguishers in the workplace, even though they do not want employees fighting fires and have a policy for total evacuation. Portable fire extinguishers may be required in the workplace by other organizations such as insurance companies or local fire departments. Portable fire extinguishers that are not intended for employee use may still pose a hazard if they are not properly maintained. Employers who select this option must comply only with the maintenance, inspection, and testing requirements in paragraphs (e) and (f) of §1910.157. Employers who do not select any of these options but instead provide portable fire extinguishers for use by any employee to use in fighting incipient stage fires must comply with §1910.157 in its entirety. Employers that provide portable fire extinguishers for employee use must provide an educational program to familiarize then with the general principles of fire extinguisher use. Those employees expected to use portable fire extinguishers must receive “hands on” training in the use of the fire extinguishing equipment.

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