Diving regulations overview

The subject of this Subpart is diving operations in construction; it is titled "Diving." This Subpart is identified as 1926 Subpart Y and is labeled "Diving" in OSHA's construction safety regulations (1926 Subpart Y).

• Use this Subpart when planning, supervising, or evaluating diving work that is part of construction activities covered by 29 CFR part 1926.
• The Subpart contains regulatory requirements and two appendices (A and B) that provide supplemental material.

The Diving standard includes two appendices, Appendix A and Appendix B, which are shown as parts of the Subpart and provide supplemental material to the standard. The Subpart page lists those appendices alongside the standard (1926 Subpart Y).

• Treat Appendix A and Appendix B as supplementary guidance that accompanies the regulatory text of Subpart Y.
• When developing procedures or training, consult the appendices for explanatory material or examples referenced by the Subpart.

The Diving standard is issued under the authority of multiple statutes, including Sections 4, 6, and 8 of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 and other federal acts cited in the Subpart. OSHA lists the specific authorities and Secretarial orders under which the standard was promulgated on the Subpart page (1926 Subpart Y).

• The Subpart text explicitly cites the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (29 U.S.C. 653, 655, 657) and other statutes such as the Contract Work Hours and Safety Standards Act and the Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act.
• This legal authority is what gives OSHA the power to require compliance with the Subpart's requirements for construction diving operations.

The Diving Subpart lists the e-CFR (electronic Code of Federal Regulations) as its Government Publishing Office (GPO) source. OSHA's Subpart page identifies the e-CFR as the GPO source for the regulatory text (1926 Subpart Y).

• Rely on the e-CFR for an up-to-date, government-published rendering of the regulatory text, while confirming any agency updates on OSHA's site.
• The Subpart page provides the e-CFR link reference as part of the standard's metadata.

The Diving Subpart lists its source and amendment Federal Register citations, including 58 FR 35184 (June 30, 1993) and later entries such as 61 FR 9227 (March 7, 1996), 61 FR 31427 (June 20, 1996), and 71 FR 16675 (April 3, 2006). These dates and citations appear on the Subpart page (1926 Subpart Y).

• Use these Federal Register citations to track the rulemaking history and to identify when substantive changes were adopted.
• If you need the precise historical text or amendment language, consult the listed FR notices together with the Subpart text.

Yes; the Subpart notes that 29 CFR part 1911 is applicable where referenced. The Subpart's metadata includes that certain provisions of part 1911 may apply (1926 Subpart Y).

• When implementing Subpart Y requirements, check for cross-references to part 1911 (and other cited authorities) to ensure full compliance with any testing, calibration, or related technical procedures that may be governed elsewhere.
• Treat cross-references as binding where the Subpart explicitly incorporates or references other regulatory requirements.

Cite the Subpart by number and title when referencing it in policies—for example, refer to "29 CFR 1926 Subpart Y (Diving)" and, when relevant, cite the specific appendix or FR notice. OSHA provides the official Subpart designation on its regulatory page (1926 Subpart Y).

• Include the Subpart citation (29 CFR 1926 Subpart Y) and note any appendices (A or B) or cross-referenced parts (such as 29 CFR part 1911) used to develop procedures.
• Recording the Federal Register source and amendment dates (e.g., 58 FR 35184, June 30, 1993) is helpful for audit trails and documentation of which version of the rule you followed.

The formal title listed for the Subpart is "Diving," and using that exact title and Subpart designation helps ensure clarity in compliance documents and audits. OSHA displays the title "Diving" alongside the Subpart number on its regulatory page (1926 Subpart Y).

• Using the exact title and citation prevents confusion with other diving-related standards that may exist in different OSHA parts or other agencies.
• Consistent citation supports clear communication with regulators, auditors, and workers about which requirements apply to construction diving activities.

The Subpart page in this batch notes that no related letters of interpretation were found for the provided material. For the official regulatory content and any agency guidance, consult the Subpart page (1926 Subpart Y).

• If you need clarification on how OSHA interprets specific provisions of Subpart Y, request or search for letters of interpretation on OSHA's website or contact OSHA directly; the regulatory page is the starting point.
• Keep documentation of any formal interpretation relied upon for compliance decisions, because letters of interpretation can provide important nuance beyond the base regulatory text.