Section 5(a)(1) of the OSH Act, often referred to as the General Duty Clause, requires employers to "furnish to each of his employees employment and a place of employment which are free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to his employees". Section 5(a)(2) requires employers to "comply with occupational safety and health standards promulgated under this Act".

Note: Twenty-four states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands have OSHA-approved State Plans and have adopted their own standards and enforcement policies. For the most part, these States adopt standards that are identical to Federal OSHA. However, some States have adopted different standards applicable to this topic or may have different enforcement policies.

General Industry (29 CFR 1910)

• 1910 Subpart T, Commercial diving operations
  • 1910 Subpart T, Authority for 1910 Subpart T
  • 1910.401, Scope and application
  • 1910.402, Definitions
  • 1910.410, Qualifications of dive team
  • 1910.420, Safe practices manual
  • 1910.421, Pre-dive procedures
  • 1910.422, Procedures during dive
  • 1910.423, Post-dive procedures
  • 1910.424, SCUBA diving
  • 1910.425, Surface-supplied air diving
  • 1910.426, Mixed-gas diving
  • 1910.427, Liveboating
  • 1910.430, Equipment
  • 1910.440, Recordkeeping requirements
  • Appendix A, Examples of conditions which may restrict or limit exposure to hyperbaric conditions
  • Appendix B, Guidelines for scientific diving

Shipyard Employment (29 CFR 1915)

• 1915 Subpart A, General provisions
  • 1915.6, Commercial diving operations. Commercial diving operations shall be subject to 1910 Subpart T.

Marine Terminals (29 CFR 1917)

• 1917 Subpart A, Scope and definitions
  • 1917.1, Scope and applicability. 1910 Subpart T applies to marine terminals.

Longshoring (29 CFR 1918)

• 1918 Subpart A, Scope and definitions
  • 1918.1, Scope and application. 1910 Subpart T applies to longshoring operations.

Construction Industry (29 CFR 1926)

• 1926 Subpart O, Motor vehicles, mechanized equipment, and marine operations
  • 1926.605, Marine operations and equipment. Commercial diving operations shall be subject to 1910 Subpart T.
• 1926 Subpart Y, Commercial diving operations
  • 1926 Subpart Y, Authority for 1926 Subpart Y
  • 1926.1071, Scope and application
  • 1926.1072, Definitions
  • 1926.1076, Qualifications of dive team
  • 1926.1080, Safe practices manual
  • 1926.1081, Pre-dive procedures
  • 1926.1082, Procedures during dive
  • 1926.1083, Post-dive procedures
  • 1926.1084, SCUBA diving
  • 1926.1085, Surface-supplied air diving
  • 1926.1086, Mixed-gas diving
  • 1926.1087, Liveboating
  • 1926.1090, Equipment
  • 1926.1091, Recordkeeping requirements
  • Appendix A, Examples of conditions which may restrict or limit exposure to hyperbaric conditions
  • Appendix B, Guidelines for scientific diving

• 29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart T – Commercial Diving Operations. CPL 02-00-143, (2006, August 11). Provides guidelines for the occupational safety and health standard for commercial diving operations, 29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart T.
  • Appendix A: Commercial Diving Operations Questions and Answers
• OSHA/U.S. Coast Guard Authority Over Vessels. CPL 02-01-020 [CPL 2-1.20], (1996, November 8). Provides current policy, information and guidance with respect to OSHA/US Coast Guard authority over inspected vessels, commercial uninspected fishing vessels, and commercial uninspected vessels in accordance with Section 4(b)(1) of the OSH Act, 29 USC Section 653(b)(1).
• Guidelines for First Aid Training Programs. CPL 02-02-053 [CPL 2-2.53], (1991, January 7). Provides institutions teaching first aid courses, and consumers of these courses, what OSHA considers basic and essential elements of a first aid program. These guidelines can also assist compliance officers evaluating individual plant first aid programs during the inspection process.
• Memorandum of Understanding Between the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the U.S. Coast Guard. CPL 02-00-046 [CPL 2.46], (1982, January 20). Provides national guidelines for the interpretation and implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between OSHA and the US Coast Guard concerning the occupational safety and health of personnel working on the Outer Continental Shelf of the States.
• Search all available directives.