It took many years to get the ball rolling with a rewrite of CFRs pertaining to diving and that still isn't official. The confusing overlap of OSHA and USCG authority and the failure to address the various situations divers work in has improvements at a snail's pace. European authorities are struggling with complexities also. The relatively small number of people in the industry and the lack of understanding by politicians and the public make it very difficult to even get attention for the issues related to diving safety.
ONE improvement, I believe, would be to consolidate authority over ALL diving operations under the mission of the USCG. OSHA has been ineffective. To be fair, OSHA has regulatory obligations in almost EVERY job classification/industry in the USA and it should be a welcome reduction in their work load. MONEY is a major issue for a change such as I endorse. The USCG has a shrinking budget and oversight of diving operations will require more people and more administrative work and that costs money.
If you see the sense in this, WRITE YOUR REPRESENTATIVES in Congress. Get them asking about this among themselves. I'm trying to get a "Bill" composed to put the issue on the agenda in D.C. even though it will be prioritized somewhere below squirrel studies or another obscure consideration. IF you care, DO something! If divers don't TRY to improve the safety in the industry, WHO WILL?
If you've been in diving for any length of time, you know divers who have died or been seriously injured in preventable incidents. WHY SHOULD IT GO ON?
Recommended Comments
There are no comments to display.