1910.425(c): Surface-Supplied Air Diving Procedures
Each diver must be continuously tended, and a diver must be stationed at the entry point in enclosed or confining spaces. Each operation needs enough primary breathing gas for the planned dive and decompression. For dives deeper than 100 fsw or outside no-decompression limits, a separate tender, standby diver and reserve gas supplies are required.
Key takeaways
- 1910.425(c) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart T).
- OSHA cited it 2 times in the last 3 years, in 2 inspections, with $8,275 in current penalties.
- 1 death is linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Related part: 1910.425(c)(1) (2 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.425(c) ("Procedures") is one requirement inside 1910.425 Surface-supplied air diving, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart T). It includes 12 sub-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
(c) Procedures. 2 citations
(1) Each diver shall be continuously tended while in the water. Open (c)(1) 2 citations
(2) A diver shall be stationed at the underwater point of entry when diving is conducted in enclosed or physically confining spaces.
(3) Each diving operation shall have a primary breathing gas supply sufficient to support divers for the duration of the planned dive including decompression.
(4) For dives deeper than 100 fsw or outside the no-decompression limits:
(i) A separate dive team member shall tend each diver in the water;
(ii) A standby diver shall be available while a diver is in the water;
(iii) A diver-carried reserve breathing gas supply shall be provided for each diver except when heavy gear is worn; and
(iv) A dive-location reserve breathing gas supply shall be provided.
(5) For heavy-gear diving deeper than 100 fsw or outside the no-decompression limits:
(i) An extra breathing gas hose capable of supplying breathing gas to the diver in the water shall be available to the standby diver.
(ii) An inwater stage shall be provided to divers in the water.
(6) Except when heavy gear is worn or where physical space does not permit, a diver-carried reserve breathing gas supply shall be provided whenever the diver is prevented by the configuration of the dive area from ascending directly to the surface.
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.425.
Injuries linked to this rule
1 death is linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.425(c).
On March 23, 2024, an employee was utilizing surface supplied air diving equipment to clean sediment from the inside of an enclosed standpipe water tank with a 24-foot water depth. The estimated water temperature was 53.42 degrees Fahrenheit. Sediment cleaning was performed using a hand-held…
Where and how often it was cited
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.425(c), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.425(c).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.425(c)(1) 2 citations
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Frequently asked questions
Must divers be tended?
Yes. Each diver shall be continuously tended while in the water.
What is needed for dives deeper than 100 fsw?
A separate tender for each diver, a standby diver, a diver-carried reserve gas supply except with heavy gear, and a dive-location reserve gas supply.
What applies to heavy-gear diving deeper than 100 fsw?
An extra breathing gas hose for the standby diver and an inwater stage for divers in the water.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.425 (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.