OSHA amendment to commercial
- Thread starter rmediver2002
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The link wouldn't work for me.
dvleemin
Contributor
dvleemin
Contributor
How about somebody translate the changes . . . too long for me.
Does this mean that all DM's and instr's will have to start diving with pony bottles or possibly spare air?
(a) Bail-out system for all SCUBAs. For emergencies involving SCUBA malfunctions that could endanger diver health and safety (e.g., high CO2 levels), proposed condition 7(a) requires employers to equip their divers with a reliable emergency-egress system (i.e., a "bail-out system"). The bail-out system would contain a separate supply of breathing gas, which can include air. In addition, the bail-out system would provide the breathing gas to the second stage of the SCUBA regulator. Accordingly, the proposed bail-out system would provide divers with the capability to shift to a known, safe, and immediately available breathing gas, and to terminate the dive safely whenever a CO2-related problem or other emergency occurs.
Here's one for the DIR folks (I think they call it brain rot)
(b) Dive-decompression computers. This proposed condition permits employers to use dive-decompression computers designed to regulate decompression when the computers use the NOAA or DSAT no-decompression limits specified in proposed condition 6(a) and provide output that reliably represents these limits. OSHA believes that dive-decompression computers are unnecessary because the divers would be diving within no-decompression limits, and the technical capability of most dive-decompression computers exceeds the requirements of no-decompression dives. Nevertheless, the proposal would allow employers the flexibility o use either manual calculations or dive-decompression computers to determine the no-decompression schedules, with the use of dive-decompression computers for this purpose being optional. However, when employers choose to use these computers, they also must provide their diver with specific decompression information, and have a hard-copy of the appropriate decompression tables at the dive site (see proposed condition 9(c) below). Thus, the proposal specifies the conditions that employers must meet to ensure that their employees' diving activities conform to accepted no-decompression practices, whether or not they use dive-decompression computers.
I guess this one answers the age old question about if its safe to dive pp at 1.6
(b) Limiting diving depth. This proposed condition requires that employers limit the divers covered by this proposed alternative to a maximum depth of 130 fsw or to a maximum 02 partial pressure of 1.40 ATA, whichever exposes them to less 02; this proposed condition would apply regardless of the diving equipment they use. This proposed condition would impose an additional constraint on 02 exposure, further reducing the risk of 02 toxicity. Moreover, the proposed condition would aid in preventing DCS by limiting the divers' nitrogen exposure; this limitation occurs because 02 displaces nitrogen in the volume of breathing gas available for use. Therefore, limiting nitrogen exposure and restricting diving depth to 130 fsw would reduce the risk of DCS and, consequently, the need for decompression chambers.
Lowering the partial pressure of nitrogen in a diver's body fluids and tissues, especially in the central nervous system, also would decrease the risk of nitrogen narcosis. Nitrogen narcosis is an anesthetic condition that results when high partial pressures of nitrogen are present in central nervous system tissues; the condition can impair a diver's performance and, in severe cases can result in injury or death (see Section III below, Reference (1), p. 3-20).
Geek
(a) Bail-out system for all SCUBAs. For emergencies involving SCUBA malfunctions that could endanger diver health and safety (e.g., high CO2 levels), proposed condition 7(a) requires employers to equip their divers with a reliable emergency-egress system (i.e., a "bail-out system"). The bail-out system would contain a separate supply of breathing gas, which can include air. In addition, the bail-out system would provide the breathing gas to the second stage of the SCUBA regulator. Accordingly, the proposed bail-out system would provide divers with the capability to shift to a known, safe, and immediately available breathing gas, and to terminate the dive safely whenever a CO2-related problem or other emergency occurs.
Here's one for the DIR folks (I think they call it brain rot)
(b) Dive-decompression computers. This proposed condition permits employers to use dive-decompression computers designed to regulate decompression when the computers use the NOAA or DSAT no-decompression limits specified in proposed condition 6(a) and provide output that reliably represents these limits. OSHA believes that dive-decompression computers are unnecessary because the divers would be diving within no-decompression limits, and the technical capability of most dive-decompression computers exceeds the requirements of no-decompression dives. Nevertheless, the proposal would allow employers the flexibility o use either manual calculations or dive-decompression computers to determine the no-decompression schedules, with the use of dive-decompression computers for this purpose being optional. However, when employers choose to use these computers, they also must provide their diver with specific decompression information, and have a hard-copy of the appropriate decompression tables at the dive site (see proposed condition 9(c) below). Thus, the proposal specifies the conditions that employers must meet to ensure that their employees' diving activities conform to accepted no-decompression practices, whether or not they use dive-decompression computers.
I guess this one answers the age old question about if its safe to dive pp at 1.6
(b) Limiting diving depth. This proposed condition requires that employers limit the divers covered by this proposed alternative to a maximum depth of 130 fsw or to a maximum 02 partial pressure of 1.40 ATA, whichever exposes them to less 02; this proposed condition would apply regardless of the diving equipment they use. This proposed condition would impose an additional constraint on 02 exposure, further reducing the risk of 02 toxicity. Moreover, the proposed condition would aid in preventing DCS by limiting the divers' nitrogen exposure; this limitation occurs because 02 displaces nitrogen in the volume of breathing gas available for use. Therefore, limiting nitrogen exposure and restricting diving depth to 130 fsw would reduce the risk of DCS and, consequently, the need for decompression chambers.
Lowering the partial pressure of nitrogen in a diver's body fluids and tissues, especially in the central nervous system, also would decrease the risk of nitrogen narcosis. Nitrogen narcosis is an anesthetic condition that results when high partial pressures of nitrogen are present in central nervous system tissues; the condition can impair a diver's performance and, in severe cases can result in injury or death (see Section III below, Reference (1), p. 3-20).
Geek
OP
Bad link, thanks for fixing it guys.
Basically it is expanding the Dixie diver exemption:
This exemption allowed employees (instructors) of Dixie divers to conduct recreational air dive training while diving a mixed gas (Nitrox)
Normally the use of mixed gas (any gas with O2 content less than 19.5% or more than 22.5%) requires an on site recompression chamber. (The regulation does not apply to volunteers not receiving any form compensation or to divers not diving as a function of employment)
The amendment proposed will allow all recreation SCUBA instruction employees to conduct dives using mixed gas.
The proposal also mentions the establishment of standards for gas mixing qualifications and equipment qualifications for various mixing systems (cascade, continuous blending...)
Jeff Lane
Basically it is expanding the Dixie diver exemption:
This exemption allowed employees (instructors) of Dixie divers to conduct recreational air dive training while diving a mixed gas (Nitrox)
Normally the use of mixed gas (any gas with O2 content less than 19.5% or more than 22.5%) requires an on site recompression chamber. (The regulation does not apply to volunteers not receiving any form compensation or to divers not diving as a function of employment)
The amendment proposed will allow all recreation SCUBA instruction employees to conduct dives using mixed gas.
The proposal also mentions the establishment of standards for gas mixing qualifications and equipment qualifications for various mixing systems (cascade, continuous blending...)
Jeff Lane
OP
It goes on to mention that the current standard for commercial SCUBA will continue to apply to this situation.
Currently a J style or reserve valve is an acceptable EGS supply
When using a re-breather to provide the mix a separate source (pony bottle) would be required. The pony can be either air or Nitrox
Jeff Lane
Interesting...As I read it the gas must be mixed BEFORE it is delivered to the scuba tank. So you have to bank? No Way.
Also, they say that you must continuously monitor the air downstream from the filter for hydrocarbons? I wonder how you do that?
I'll bet this is the first time a diver has read this junk.
Also, they say that you must continuously monitor the air downstream from the filter for hydrocarbons? I wonder how you do that?
I'll bet this is the first time a diver has read this junk.
Hey here is one I missed
"Ensure that transportation to a suitable decompression chamber is readily available when no decompression chamber is at the dive site, and that this transportation can deliver the injured diver to the decompression chamber within two (2) hours travel time from the dive site."
Better check for your local deco-chamber site and make sure you have that taxi standing by
Does this one means that I have to ave a dedicated nitrox tank and must be o2 cleaned
(f) Employers are to ensure that diving equipment using nitrox breathing-gas mixtures or pure 02 under high pressure (i.e., exceeding 125 psi) conforms to the 02-service requirements specified in paragraphs (i)(1) and (i)(2) of § 1910.430.
"Ensure that transportation to a suitable decompression chamber is readily available when no decompression chamber is at the dive site, and that this transportation can deliver the injured diver to the decompression chamber within two (2) hours travel time from the dive site."
Better check for your local deco-chamber site and make sure you have that taxi standing by
Does this one means that I have to ave a dedicated nitrox tank and must be o2 cleaned
(f) Employers are to ensure that diving equipment using nitrox breathing-gas mixtures or pure 02 under high pressure (i.e., exceeding 125 psi) conforms to the 02-service requirements specified in paragraphs (i)(1) and (i)(2) of § 1910.430.
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