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

§6057. Equipment Procedures and Requirements.

(a) Recordkeeping. Each equipment modification, repair, test, calibration or maintenance service shall be logged including the date and nature of work performed, serial number of the item and the name of the person performing the work for the following equipment:

Compressors

Regulators

SCUBA tanks

Diving helmets

Submersible breathing masks

Submersible pressure gauges

Depth gauges

Tank valves

Gas control panels

Analytical instruments

(b) SCUBA.

(1) Regulators. Regulators shall be submitted to functional test every six months at which time, at a breathing rate of 15 breaths per minute the regulator must have an exhalation pressure not to exceed 3 inches of water nor a negative inhalation pressure not to exceed minus 3 inches of water.

(2) SCUBA Tanks.

(A) SCUBA tanks shall be designed, constructed and maintained in accordance with the applicable provisions of Section 454, Unfired Pressure Vessel Safety Orders, Title 8, California Administrative Code;

(B) SCUBA tanks shall be hydrostatically tested in accordance with DOT standards.

(D) SCUBA tank valves shall be functionally tested at intervals not to exceed 12 months.

(3) Submersible Pressure Gauges. Submersible pressure gauges shall be tested against a master gauge at intervals not to exceed six months.

(4) Buoyancy Compensators.

(A) A dry suit or other variable volume buoyancy compensation device shall be equipped with an exhaust valve.

(B) Buoyancy compensation devices shall be functionally inspected at intervals not to exceed six months.

(5) Submersible Depth Gauge. Each depth gauge shall be tested or calibrated every six months and when there is reasonable cause to believe a discrepancy exists.

(6) Weight Belts and Harnesses. Weight belts and harnesses used by SCUBA divers shall be capable of quick release.

(7) Underwater Breathing Masks and Helmets. Underwater breathing masks and helmets used for SCUBA shall meet the requirements for the same equipment used in the surface supplied mode.

(1) Underwater Breathing Masks and Helmets.

(A) Breathing masks and helmets shall have:

1. A non-return valve at the attachment point between helmet or mask hose which shall close readily and positively; and

2. An exhaust valve.

(B) Breathing masks and helmets shall have a minimum ventilation rate capability of 4.5 acfm at any depth at which they are operated or the capability of maintaining the diver's inspired carbon dioxide partial pressure below 0.02 ATA when the diver is producing carbon dioxide at the rate of 1.6 standard liters per minute.

(2) Hoses and Umbilicals.

(A) Hoses used in surface supplied diving 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.

(B) Breathing gas supply hose connectors shall:

1. Be made of corrosion-resistant materials including cadmium or zinc plated material.

2. Have a working pressure at least equal to the working pressure of the hose to which they are attached; and

3. Be resistant to accidental disengagement from either the hose or the mating connector.

1. Be marked in 10-ft. increments to 100 feet beginning at the diver and the 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.

(3) Pneumofathometer Gauges. Each depth gauge shall be deadweight tested or calibrated against a master reference gauge every six months, or when there is a discrepancy greater than two percent (2%) of full scale between any two equivalent gauges.

(4) Buoyancy Control.

(A) Variable volume suits must have an exhaust valve or if connected directly to a helmet must have an air passageway between the suit and helmet.

(B) Buoyancy compensators must be equipped with an exhaust valve.

(5) Weights and Harnesses

(A) When using surface supplied gear, each diver shall wear a safety harness with:

1. A positive buckling device;

2. An attachment point for the umbilical to distribute the pull force of the line and to prevent strain on the mask or helmet.

(6) Compressed Gas Cylinders (except SCUBA tanks)

(A) Compressed gas cylinders shall be designed, constructed and maintained in accordance with applicable provisions of Section 454 Unfired Pressure Vessel Safety Orders, Title 8, California Administrative Code.

(B) Be stored in a ventilated area and protected from excessive heat;

(D) Have shut-off valves recessed into the cylinder or protected by a cap, except when in use or manifolded.

(d) Air Compressor Systems.

(1) Low Pressure 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) All air compressor intakes shall be located away from areas containing exhaust or other contaminants.

(3) Compressed air used by divers shall not contain:

(A) A level of carbon monoxide (CO) greater than 20 ppm;

(B) A level of carbon dioxide (CO₂) greater than 1,000 ppm;

(D) A noxious or pronounced odor.

(4) The compressor for supplying air shall be equipped, maintained and its air quality tested as required by Section 5144(i).

(5) Compressed air systems over 500 psig shall have slow-opening shut-off valves.

(e) Oxygen Safety.

(1) Equipment used with oxygen or mixtures containing over forty percent (40%) by volume oxygen shall be designed and maintained 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 being placed into service.

(3) Oxygen systems over 125 psig shall have slow-opening shut-off valves.

(f) Underwater Tools.

(1) Hand-held Power Tools.

(A) Hand-held electrical tools and equipment used underwater shall be specifically approved for this purpose (Electrical Safety Order 2305.4).

(B) Hand-held electrical tools and equipment supplied with power from the surface shall be de-energized before being placed into or retrieved from the water.

(2) Welding and Burning.

(A) A current supply switch to interrupt the current flow to the welding or burning electrode shall be:

1. Tended by a dive team member in voice communication with the diver performing the welding and burning; and

2. Kept in the open position except when the diver is welding or burning.

(B) The welding machine frame shall be grounded.

(C) Welding and burning cables, electrodes holders, and connections shall be capable of carrying the maximum current required by the work, and shall be properly insulated.

(D) Dielectrically insulated gloves shall be provided to divers performing welding and burning operations.

(E) Prior to welding or burning on closed compartments, structures or pipes, which contain a flammable vapor or in which a flammable vapor may be generated by the work, they shall be vented, flooded, or purged with a mixture of gases which will not support combustion.

(3) Explosives.

(A) Employers shall transport, store, and use explosives in accordance with this section and the applicable provisions of Group 13 of the General Industry Safety Orders.

(B) Electrical continuity of explosive circuits shall not be tested until the diver is out of the water.

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

HISTORY

1. Amendment of subsections (d) and (f) filed 12-8-86; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 86, No. 50).

2. Change without regulatory effect amending subsection (d)(4) filed 12-30-99 pursuant to section 100, title 1, California Code of Regulations (Register 99, No. 53).

3. Amendment of subsections (c)(2)(A)1. and (c)(4)(B) 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).

4. Amendment filed 6-1-2021; operative 10-1-2021 (Register 2021, No. 23).

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