1910.430—Equipment.
(a) General.
(1)
All employers shall comply with the following requirements, unless otherwise specified.
(2)
Each equipment modification, repair, test, calibration or maintenance service shall be recorded by means of a tagging or logging system, and include the date and nature of work performed, and the name or initials of the person performing the work.
(b) Air compressor system.
(1)
Compressors used to supply air to the diver shall be equipped with a volume tank with a check valve on the inlet side, a pressure gauge, a relief valve, and a drain valve.
(2)
Air compressor intakes shall be located away from areas containing exhaust or other contaminants.
(4)
The output of air compressor systems shall be tested for air purity every 6 months by means of samples taken at the connection to the distribution system, except that non-oil lubricated compressors need not be tested for oil mist.
(i)
Have a working pressure at least equal to the working pressure of the total breathing gas system;
(ii)
Have a working pressure at least equal to the working pressure of the hose to which they are attached; and
(i)
Be marked in 10-ft. increments to 100 feet beginning at the diver's end, and in 50 ft. increments thereafter;
(iii)
Have a working pressure greater than the pressure equivalent to the maximum depth of the dive (relative to the supply source) plus 100 psi.
(d) Buoyancy control.
(1)
Helmets or masks connected directly to the dry suit or other buoyancy-changing equipment shall be equipped with an exhaust valve.
(2)
A dry suit or other buoyancy-changing equipment not directly connected to the helmet or mask shall be equipped with an exhaust valve.
(3)
When used for SCUBA diving, a buoyancy compensator shall have an inflation source separate from the breathing gas supply.
(4)
An inflatable flotation device capable of maintaining the diver at the surface in a face-up position, having a manually activated inflation source independent of the breathing supply, an oral inflation device, and an exhaust valve shall be used for SCUBA diving.
(1)
Be designed, constructed and maintained in accordance with the applicable provisions of 29 CFR 1910.101 and 1910.169 through 1910.171.
(4)
Have shut-off valves recessed into the cylinder or protected by a cap, except when in use or manifolded, or when used for SCUBA diving.
(f) Decompression chambers.
(1)
Each decompression chamber manufactured after the effective date of this standard, shall be built and maintained in accordance with the ASME Code or equivalent.
(2)
Each decompression chamber manufactured prior to the effective date of this standard shall be maintained in conformity with the code requirements to which it was built, or equivalent.
(iv)
A means for extinguishing fire, and shall be maintained to minimize sources of ignition and combustible material.
(g) Gauges and timekeeping devices.
(1)
Gauges indicating diver depth which can be read at the dive location shall be used for all dives except SCUBA.
(2)
Each depth gauge shall be deadweight tested or calibrated against a master reference gauge every 6 months, and when there is a discrepancy greater than two percent (2 percent) of full scale between any two equivalent gauges.
(3)
A cylinder pressure gauge capable of being monitored by the diver during the dive shall be worn by each SCUBA diver.
(i)
A non-return valve at the attachment point between helmet or mask and hose which shall close readily and positively; and
(2)
Surface-supplied air masks and helmets shall have a minimum ventilation rate capability of 4.5 acfm at any depth at which they are operated or the capability of maintaining the diver's inspired carbon dioxide partial pressure below 0.02 ATA when the diver is producing carbon dioxide at the rate of 1.6 standard liters per minute.
(i) Oxygen safety.
(1)
Equipment used with oxygen or mixtures containing over forty percent (40%) by volume oxygen shall be designed for oxygen service.
(2)
Components (except umbilicals) exposed to oxygen or mixtures containing over forty percent (40%) by volume oxygen shall be cleaned of flammable materials before use.
(3)
Oxygen systems over 125 psig and compressed air systems over 500 psig shall have slow-opening shut-off valves.
(j) Weights and harnesses.
(1)
Except when heavy gear is worn, divers shall be equipped with a weight belt or assembly capable of quick release.