Current through Register 2024 Notice Reg. No. 38, September 20, 2024
(a) Decompression tables. Decompression shall
be in accordance with the following specified decompression tables contained in
Volume 2, Chapter 9 of the U.S. Navy Diving Manual, Revision 6, April 15, 2008,
which is hereby incorporated by reference.
(1)
No-Decompression Limits and Repetitive Group Designation Table for
No-Decompression Air Dives -- Table 9-7. This table shall be used to determine
the no-decompression limits and the repetitive group designators for work in a
compressed air environment that does not require decompression.
(2) Air Decompression Table -- Table 9-9.
This table shall be used to determine the decompression schedules and
repetitive group designators for work in a compressed air environment that
requires decompression.
(3)
Residual Nitrogen Timetable for Repetitive Air Dives -- Table 9-8. This table
shall be used to determine the Residual Nitrogen Time when an employee who has
some residual nitrogen in his/her system begins work in a compressed air
environment.
(4) Sea Level
Equivalent Depth -- Table 9-4. This table shall be used to correct the sea
level decompression tables for use at altitudes of 1,000 feet above sea level
and higher.
(5) Repetitive Groups
Associated with Initial Ascent to Altitude -- Table 9-5. This table shall be
used to adjust decompression schedules when an employee who is not fully
equilibrated at altitude begins work in a compressed air environment.
(6) Required Surface Interval Before Ascent
to Altitude After Diving -- Table 9-6. This table shall be used to determine
when it is safe for an employee to fly or ascend to higher altitude after
performing work in a compressed air environment.
(b) Use of decompression tables. The
following provisions apply to the use of the U. S. Navy decompression tables
referenced in subsection (a):
(1) General. The
decompression tables shall be used in accordance with the applicable rules,
instructions, and examples provided in Chapter 9 of the referenced U.S. Navy
Diving Manual. The terms, definitions and units of measure used in the
referenced Diving Manual that normally refer to diving work, such as standard
feet of water, diver, descent time, bottom time, dive, depth, and surface,
shall apply to work in compressed air environments in a manner that is
consistent with applicable scientific principles. When converting "Feet of Sea
Water" (FSW) to pounds per square inch (gauge) (psi(g)), a conversion factor of
0.4454 psi(g) per 1.0 FSW shall be used.
(2) Air Decompression Table -- Table 9-9.
(A) The table shall not be used for pressures
exceeding 50 psi(g).
(B) The table
shall not be used for pressures greater than 190 FSW.
(C) A gas mix of air and oxygen
(AIR/O2) shall be used for decompression when the table
indicates a gas mix of air (AIR) is permitted but AIR/O2
is recommended.
(D) Surface
decompression (decanting) is prohibited.
(E) The table shall not be used for a bottom
time and pressure that is designated an Exceptional Exposure in the
table.
(F) The compression rate
shall be in accordance with Section
6080(a).
EXCEPTION: The provisions of subsections (a) and (b)(2)
do not apply in an emergency provided that employees are decompressed in
accordance with decompression tables and procedures recommended by the
supervising physician.
1. New
section filed 4-4-2006; operative 5-4-2006 (Register 2006, No.
14).
2. Amendment of section heading and section filed 3-10-2010;
operative 4-9-2010 (Register 2010, No. 11).
Note: Authority cited: Section
142.3, Labor
Code. Reference: Section
142.3, Labor
Code.