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Back to Part 1926
OSHA 1926SubpartYAppA

Hyperbaric exposure restrictions

Subpart Y

11 Questions & Answers
Official OSHA text

Questions & Answers

Under Appendix A to Subpart Y of Part 1926, does Appendix A apply to construction diving operations and provide examples of conditions that may limit hyperbaric exposure?

Yes. Appendix A to Subpart Y of Part 1926 provides examples of conditions which may restrict or limit exposure to hyperbaric conditions for construction diving work and states that those requirements are identical to the examples set out in Appendix A to Subpart T of Part 1910. See Appendix A to Subpart Y of Part 1926 and Appendix A to Subpart T of Part 1910 for the related provisions.

Under 1926 Subpart Y Appendix A, where should I look for the concrete examples of conditions that may restrict hyperbaric exposure?

Look in Appendix A to Subpart Y of Part 1926 and, because the text says they are identical, also consult Appendix A to Subpart T of Part 1910 for the same examples. The appendix itself is the place OSHA provides those sample conditions: see Appendix A to Subpart Y of Part 1926 and Appendix A to Subpart T of Part 1910.

Under 1926 Subpart Y App A, are the examples in this appendix treated as requirements that construction employers must follow?

Yes. The Appendix A text states that the requirements applicable to construction work under this Appendix A are identical to those set forth at Appendix A to Subpart T of Part 1910, indicating these examples carry regulatory relevance for construction diving under Subpart Y. See Appendix A to Subpart Y of Part 1926 and Appendix A to Subpart T of Part 1910.

Under 1926 Subpart Y App A, can I use Appendix A as a practical checklist when evaluating dive site conditions that might limit hyperbaric exposure?

Yes. Appendix A provides examples of conditions which may restrict or limit exposure to hyperbaric conditions and may be used as a practical checklist during site evaluations, keeping in mind the appendix is linked to the Subpart T examples. Use Appendix A to Subpart Y of Part 1926 together with Appendix A to Subpart T of Part 1910 when planning controls and limits.

Under Appendix A to Subpart Y of Part 1926, does the appendix impose different obligations than Appendix A to Subpart T of Part 1910 for the same examples?

No. The appendix explicitly states that the requirements applicable to construction work under Appendix A to Subpart Y are identical to those set forth at Appendix A to Subpart T of Part 1910, so there is no separate or different set of examples for construction under Subpart Y. See Appendix A to Subpart Y of Part 1926 and Appendix A to Subpart T of Part 1910.

Under 1926 Subpart Y App A, if a condition listed in the appendix exists at my construction dive site, must I take corrective action to limit hyperbaric exposure?

Yes. If a condition identified in Appendix A may restrict or limit hyperbaric exposure at a construction dive site, you should apply appropriate controls and limits consistent with the diving requirements cited in the appendix. The appendix ties those examples to the regulatory requirements for construction diving: see Appendix A to Subpart Y of Part 1926 and Appendix A to Subpart T of Part 1910.

Under Appendix A to Subpart Y of Part 1926, should employers consult Appendix A to Subpart T of Part 1910 when developing dive safety plans?

Yes. The appendix tells employers that the requirements for construction under Appendix A to Subpart Y are identical to Appendix A to Subpart T of Part 1910, so employers should consult both references when developing dive safety plans to ensure consistent application of the examples and any related requirements. See Appendix A to Subpart Y of Part 1926 and Appendix A to Subpart T of Part 1910.

Under 1926 Subpart Y App A, can Appendix A be used as supporting guidance in training divers and supervisors for construction dives?

Yes. Because Appendix A lists examples of conditions that may limit hyperbaric exposure and is expressly aligned with the Subpart T examples, it can be used as supporting guidance in training to help workers and supervisors recognize hazardous conditions and implement controls. Reference Appendix A to Subpart Y of Part 1926 and Appendix A to Subpart T of Part 1910 when developing training materials.

Under Appendix A to Subpart Y of Part 1926, does OSHA provide the full list of restrictive conditions in this appendix text or direct you to the 1910 appendix for details?

The appendix expressly notes that the requirements for construction under Appendix A to Subpart Y are identical to those in Appendix A to Subpart T of Part 1910, so employers should consult Appendix A to Subpart T of Part 1910 for the corresponding examples and details. See Appendix A to Subpart Y of Part 1926 and Appendix A to Subpart T of Part 1910.

Under 1926 Subpart Y App A, if I need authoritative wording for enforcement or policy, which documents should I cite?

Cite Appendix A to Subpart Y of Part 1926 for construction diving situations and Appendix A to Subpart T of Part 1910 when referring to the identical examples; both are the authoritative OSHA references mentioned in the appendix. See Appendix A to Subpart Y of Part 1926 and Appendix A to Subpart T of Part 1910.

Under Appendix A to Subpart Y of Part 1926, does OSHA indicate that the examples in the appendix are exhaustive for all hyperbaric exposure limits?

No. The appendix title describes the content as "Examples of Conditions Which May Restrict or Limit Exposure to Hyperbaric Conditions," which indicates they are examples rather than an exhaustive list; the appendix also points you to the identical content in Appendix A to Subpart T of Part 1910 for those examples. See Appendix A to Subpart Y of Part 1926 and Appendix A to Subpart T of Part 1910.