What changes has Cal/OSHA made to regulations for diving operations and when did the new rules take effect?
Revisions to align California diving regulations with federal requirements went into effect on January 1, 2026.
The Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board (OSHSB) opened the update process on February 28, 2025 by asking for comments on specific sections of the General Industry Safety Orders (6050, 6051, 6052, 6054 and 6056) as they relate to Group 26: Diving and Pressurized Worksite Operations.
Besides making some California requirements conform better with their federal counterparts, the revised standard clarifies state requirements for which there is no corresponding federal regulation.
Supporting the regulation changes with both written comments and in-person testimony were the marine operations manager for the California Science Center Foundation in Los Angeles, the dive safety officer for the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach and the director of dive programs at the Monterey Bay Aquarium.
Revisions
The revisions that went into effect include:
• Section 6050 was revised by deleting terms that defined what diving operations were encompassed by the term “diving operations” and a new paragraph was added to define what constitutes a “controlled environment” (for film and TV operations) and the personal and training required for divers to perform their duties.
• Section 6052, covering general requirements, addresses protective equipment, air supply, training and diving fitness.
• Section 6056, covering basic operation procedures, limits SCUBA diving depths to 130 fsw (40 msw). An exception requires an emergency response dive team be available.
The section also sets out three requirements for conducting SCUBA diving in a confined space.
Exceptions to certain basic operation requirements are spelled out for performing zoo and aquarium exhibit diving operations and TV and film diving operations.
Column based on questions asked by callers on the Labor Law Helpline, a service to California Chamber of Commerce preferred members and above. For expert explanations of labor laws and Cal/OSHA regulations, not legal counsel for specific situations, call (800) 348-2262 or submit your question at www.hrcalifornia.com.
