OSHA Grants Diving Firm Permanent Safety Rule Waiver
Published Date: 8/21/2026
Notice
Summary
In this notice, OSHA grants a permanent variance to KBR Wyle Services, LLC (KBR) from a provision of the OSHA standard that regulates commercial diving operations.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Shorter Post-Dive Observation Time
OSHA granted KBR a permanent variance that lets KBR divers at NASA's Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory (NBL) be instructed to stay near the decompression chamber for 10 minutes after dives that use nitrox and are within the no-decompression limits, instead of the usual 1 hour required by 29 CFR 1910.423(b)(2). This variance is only for KBR employees working at NASA's NBL in Houston, Texas and took effect on August 21, 2026.
Pre-Dive Medical Exam Requirement
KBR must ensure that before entering the water, the NBL medical officer of the day or a human test support group medical technician physically examines all KBR employees conducting dives at the NBL for fitness to dive. This requirement applies to KBR employees diving at NASA's NBL and is part of the permanent variance conditions.
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this federal register document means for your household, plus every other regulation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-11093, Amending the Medical Evaluation Requirements in the Respiratory Protection Standard for Certain Types of Respirators
OSHA wants to make it easier for workers using certain respirators by removing some medical check-ups for filtering facepiece and loose-fitting powered air-purifying respirators. This change affects workers who wear these masks and could save time and money on medical evaluations. The public can share their thoughts until July 6, 2026, before the rule is finalized.
2026-10456, Department of Labor Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Annual Adjustments for 2026
Good news for businesses and workers: the Department of Labor won’t raise any fines or penalties in 2026 because the usual inflation data wasn’t available. This means all civil penalties stay the same starting May 27, 2026. So, no surprise cost hikes this year—just steady rules and steady fees!
2026-17137, Intertek Testing Services NA, Inc.: Grant of Expansion of Recognition
In this notice, OSHA announces the final decision to expand the scope of recognition for Intertek Testing Services NA, Inc. as a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL).
2026-17139, UL LLC: Grant of Expansion of Recognition and Modification to the NRTL Program's List of Appropriate Test Standards
In this notice, OSHA announces the final decision to expand the scope of recognition for UL LLC, as a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL). Additionally, OSHA announces the final decision to add one test standard to the NRTL Program's List of Appropriate Test Standards.
2026-17136, NASA Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory Operations Contract; Grant of Permanent Variance
NASA’s Neutral Buoyancy Lab team got a permanent green light from OSHA to skip a tricky diving safety rule about decompression chambers. This change kicks in on August 21, 2026, and stays until OSHA says otherwise. It affects the eight companies running NASA’s underwater training pool in Houston, helping them keep space training safe and smooth without extra red tape or costs.
2026-17141, TUV SUD America, Inc.: Application for Expansion of Recognition and Proposed Modification to the NRTL Program's List of Appropriate Test Standards
In this notice, OSHA announces the application of TUV SUD America, Inc. (TUVAM), for expansion of the scope of recognition as a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL) and presents the agency's preliminary finding to grant the application. TUVAM requests the addition of five test standards to the NRTL scope of recognition. Additionally, OSHA proposes to add four test standards to the NRTL Program's List of Appropriate Test Standards.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-17137, Intertek Testing Services NA, Inc.: Grant of Expansion of Recognition
In this notice, OSHA announces the final decision to expand the scope of recognition for Intertek Testing Services NA, Inc. as a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL).
Next: 2026-17139, UL LLC: Grant of Expansion of Recognition and Modification to the NRTL Program's List of Appropriate Test Standards
In this notice, OSHA announces the final decision to expand the scope of recognition for UL LLC, as a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL). Additionally, OSHA announces the final decision to add one test standard to the NRTL Program's List of Appropriate Test Standards.