1910.424: SCUBA Diving Limits and Procedures
Employers using SCUBA must not dive deeper than 130 fsw, deeper than 100 fsw or outside no-decompression limits without a ready decompression chamber, in currents exceeding 1 knot or in enclosed spaces unless line-tended. A standby diver must be available, each diver must be line-tended or buddied, and each diver must carry a reserve breathing gas supply.
Key takeaways
- 1910.424 is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart T).
- OSHA cited it 5 times in the last 3 years, in 4 inspections, with $186,480 in current penalties.
- 1 death is linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most-cited part: 1910.424(c) Procedures (5 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.424, "SCUBA diving", is an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart T). It has 14 numbered paragraphs. The official text below is copied word for word from the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR). The numbers, injury cases and training on this page show how OSHA enforces it on real job sites.
Official text
Show the full text of 1910.424 (14 paragraphs)
(a) General. Employers engaged in SCUBA diving shall comply with the following requirements, unless otherwise specified.
(b) Limits. SCUBA diving shall not be conducted:
(1) At depths deeper than 130 fsw;
(2) At depths deeper than 100 fsw or outside the no-decompression limits unless a decompression chamber is ready for use;
(3) Against currents exceeding one (1) knot unless line-tended; or
(4) In enclosed or physically confining spaces unless line-tended.
(c) Procedures. Open (c) 5 citations
(1) A standby diver shall be available while a diver is in the water. Open (c)(1) 3 citations
(2) 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. 1 citations
(3) A diver shall be stationed at the underwater point of entry when diving is conducted in enclosed or physically confining spaces. 1 citations
(4) A diver-carried reserve breathing gas supply shall be provided for each diver consisting of:
(i) A manual reserve (J valve); or
(ii) An independent reserve cylinder with a separate regulator or connected to the underwater breathing apparatus.
(5) The valve of the reserve breathing gas supply shall be in the closed position prior to the dive.
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15.
Injuries linked to this rule
1 death is linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.424.
At approximately 9:00 a.m. on May 21, 2024, six individuals, including Employee #1 (deceased), were performing underwater work to clean out lake weeds 10-15 feet below the surface of Lake Lavon in Apple Valley, MN. After several minutes,coworkers noticed they had not seen bubbles from…
Where and how often it was cited
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OSHA interpretation letters
- Minimum number of dive team members required to support scuba diving. (1996-11-22)
- Minimum number of dive team members required for air dives. (1996-10-29)
- Minimum number of dive team members required to support scuba diving. (1996-02-22)
Most-cited parts of this rule
- 1910.424(c) Procedures 5 citations
- 1910.424(c)(1) 3 citations
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Frequently asked questions
What is the deepest SCUBA dive allowed?
SCUBA diving shall not be conducted at depths deeper than 130 fsw.
When is a decompression chamber needed?
For dives deeper than 100 fsw or outside the no-decompression limits, a chamber must be ready for use.
What reserve air must a SCUBA diver carry?
A manual reserve (J valve) or an independent reserve cylinder with a separate regulator or connected to the breathing apparatus.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.424 (eCFR), text current as of 2026-10-15
- U.S. Department of Labor enforcement data: OSHA inspections, citations and accident records, copied nightly; data as of 2026-10-20
3-year window. Federal OSHA only; state-plan rules are not counted. Plain-language text is a summary, not legal advice; the official text controls. Black Belt Safety is not part of OSHA or the Department of Labor.