1910.426(c)(2): Standby Diver Available
A standby diver must be available while a diver is in the water.
Key takeaways
- 1910.426(c)(2) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart T).
- OSHA cited it 1 times in the last 3 years, in 1 inspections, with $2,128 in current penalties.
- 1 death is linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Related part: 1910.426(c) Procedures (2 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.426(c)(2) is one requirement inside 1910.426 Mixed-gas diving, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart T). 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
(2) A standby diver shall be available while a diver is in the water. 1 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.426.
Injuries linked to this rule
1 death is linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.426(c)(2).
At 3:18 p.m. on October 2, 2024, Employee #1, employed as a shellfish fishing diver near Sisters Island, was diving for Geoducks in an area experiencing strong tides and rough seas. After starting his second dive of the day, Employee#1 radioed the tender aboard the…
Where and how often it was cited
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.426(c)(2), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.426(c)(2).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.426(c) Procedures 2 citations
- 1910.426(c)(1) 1 citations
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Frequently asked questions
When is a standby diver needed?
While a diver is in the water.
What does available mean here?
A standby diver must be on hand for the dive.
Is this separate from the tender?
Yes, this is a separate requirement from having a tender for each diver.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.426 (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.