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Request for OSHA approval of a commercial scuba diver training program

Summary A member of Congress asked OSHA to approve a commercial scuba diver training and certification program. OSHA said it does not approve or certify specific programs, although the submitted outline appeared to address the basics of its commercial diving standards. OSHA now archives the letter and cautions that it may no longer reflect agency policy.
Document
Federal opinion letter
Agency
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
Document number
1991-02-01
Date issued
February 1, 1991
Status
Archived by the agency
OSHA archives this letter and says it may no longer represent OSHA policy.
Status last verified October 9, 2026
Topics
Workplace Safety OSHA 1910 Commercial Diving Safety Training
Source
View the official document

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The current status of this document is unclear
OSHA archives this letter and says it may no longer represent OSHA policy. It may no longer reflect the agency's current position. Treat this page as historical context, not current guidance, and verify current law before relying on anything here.
About this page: The full text below is the official document from Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Ezel adds the plain-English summary and tracks the document's status. The official source linked on this page is authoritative for any reliance.

NOTICE: This is an OSHA Archive Document, and may no longer represent OSHA Policy. It is presented here as historical content, for research and review purposes only.

FEB 1 1991

The Honorable Al Swift Member,
United States House of Representatives
[Recipient address omitted]

Dear Congressman Swift:

Thank you for your letter of December 3, 1990 concerning a request for assistance from Mr. Thomas E. Hemphill. Mr. Hemphill desires a review and approval of his course outline for Commercial Scuba Diver Training and Certification. We previously responded directly to Mr. Hemphill on November 26, 1990 in response to his letter of November 16, 1990. A copy of the response is enclosed.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) does not approve or certify any specific products or programs. We are sure you can understand the myriad of problems such endorsements or certifications would create.

We have reviewed the materials and course outline supplied by Mr. Hemphill and it is our opinion that the topics and requirements, as stated, address the basics required by the Commercial Diving Standards at 29 CFR 1910, Subpart T.

If we may be of further assistance, please contact us.

Sincerely,
Gerard F. Scannell
Assistant Secretary

[Congressional referral and requester letter reproduced on the OSHA page; omitted here.]

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