---
kind: "section"
citation: "33 U.S.C. § 878b"
title: "33"
title_heading: "Navigation and Navigable Waters"
number: "878b"
heading: "Safety and health regulations for scientific and occupational diving"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/33/878b"
units:
  - "Chapter 17 — National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration"
  - "Subchapter I — General Provisions"
---

# §878b. Safety and health regulations for scientific and occupational diving


On and after March 11, 2009, the [Secretary](/usc/33/426h–1.md?p=2) of Commerce is permitted to prescribe and enforce standards or regulations affecting safety and health in the context of scientific and occupational diving within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.


## Source credit

(Pub. L. 111–8, div. B, title I, § 106, Mar. 11, 2009, 123 Stat. 568.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Codification

Section was enacted as part of the Department of Commerce Appropriations Act, 2009, which is title I of the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2009, which is div. B of the Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009.

### Similar Provisions

Provisions similar to those in this section were contained in the following prior appropriation act:

Pub. L. 110–161, div. B, title I, § 110, Dec. 26, 2007, 121 Stat. 1893.