Posted by MHK on January 12, 2001 at 06:08:21:
In Reply to: Nitrox and OSHA posted by Jon on January 11, 2001 at 16:11:02:
Several years ago a chain of scuba stores in Florida ( ie; Dixie Diver's ) applied for a variance request to the federal OSHA regulations. After much discussion, public hearings, public comments ( including an opposition to the request from our very own Ken Kurtis ) OSHA granted the variance request.
In short, the regulations provided that to the extent an employee ( remeber OSHA deals with labor issues ) is using Nitrox a chamber must be on the boat, or in close proximity.. These regulations were initially drafted to deal with the commercial diving industry. When Nitrox became mainstream these regulations, while unintended to apply to the recreational environment, had unwhittingly governed a instructor working for a shop.. Obvioulsy this wasn't intended to apply and OSHA rightfully granted the waiver request...
But this is beyond the scope of the issue with respect to a recreational diver simply using Nitrox while on a recreational dive.. If you take the employee- employer relationship out of the equation OSHA has no bearing...
Later