scope:

This standard covers all NASA neutral buoyancy facilities, equipment, personnel, and operations involving non-open water underwater activities that provide simulation of a weightless environment.

Purpose.

This standard establishes the minimum safety requirements for all NASA neutral buoyancy facilities, equipment, personnel, and operations involving underwater activities that provide simulation of a weightless environment.

Applicability.

This standard applies to the underwater weightless simulation facilities operated by NASA or under contract to NASA, to non-NASA facilities where NASA personnel will participate in underwater activities, to NASA program safety-critical functions tested underwater in a simulated weightless environment, and to underwater test subjects, training, and test team activities in which NASA employees participate. Specifically excluded are operations occurring in natural bodies of water and those conducted from vessels under the jurisdiction of other Federal agencies. This standard is not a direct instruction to NASA contractors, but provides guidance to the responsible NASA Center on the safety assurance required for neutral buoyancy facilities and human underwater activities. Similar requirements for NASA contractor services in support of neutral buoyancy operations where NASA personnel will participate shall be made applicable to the company or supplier by appropriate contract clauses. This standard expands on NASA Procedural Requirements (NPR) 8715.3, "NASA General Safety Program Requirements," policy and requirements for safety assurance, and the associated quality assurance, medical, and other organization functions to be implemented by NASA Centers for neutral buoyancy facility projects, equipment and supplies, and facility research operations. These requirements shall not supersede any more stringent requirements separately imposed for specific facilities, equipment, or functions by NASA and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) directives or other specifications and standards. For NASA contract and contractor operations, the safety and health requirements of NPR 8715.3 shall apply.