WAC 296-17A-0202   Classification 0202.  


0202-02 Pile driving - wood or concrete piling construction

     Applies to contractors engaged in pile driving and piling construction. Pile driving involves long sturdy posts or columns of timber, steel, or concrete being driven into the earth as a foundation or support for a structure such as a building, pier or wharf. This type of activity usually occurs when a portion of the structure is going to be under water, in mud, at a site where the ground is soft or unstable, or when the structure is expected to be of extraordinary weight. Work contemplated by this classification includes driving wood or steel beams, driving concrete columns, shaft sinking or caisson work, stacking of concrete piles, erection of a cofferdam, and includes all cross beaming, decking, and similar carpentry incidental to, and connected with, pile driving operations as part of the foundation construction project. Shaft sinking is removal of earth from a hole with a relatively small diameter and usually at a considerable depth. The cofferdam is a temporary structure from which water can be pumped or sucked to provide a dry work area during construction of the foundation or substructure. Once the foundation support is complete, the cofferdam is taken apart and removed.

     This classification excludes diving operations or activities which are to be reported separately in classification 0202-04.

     Special note: Pile driving projects could occur on or adjacent to navigable waters (harbors, rivers, canals) which is defined as those which form a continuous highway for interstate or international commerce. Workers who perform the work activities from on board a vessel could be subject to the Admiralty Law which recognizes such work crews and workers as a master or member of a vessel, and subject to federal law known as the Jones Act. Every person on board a vessel is deemed a seaman if connected with the operation while on navigable water. The term vessel has been interpreted by the courts to include any type of man-made floating object such as a floating derrick, pile driver or dredge, a barge, or a pontoon (which is a flat bottom boat) or portable float. Workers who perform the work activities from the shoreline or from adjacent areas such as an existing dock, pier, or bridge may or may not be subject to federal law covered under the U.S. Longshore and Harbor Workers Act. Usually, pile driving projects involve a variety of types of work crews such as those working from a floating derrick or pile driver, a barge, a pontoon, a shoreline pile crew, workers inside the cofferdam, as well as the maintenance and repair of the construction material or equipment. Care should be exercised prior to assignment of this classification as the workers could be subject to either or both of these acts. The criteria used in determining federal law and coverage is based on the most current federal court decisions and case law.


0202-03 Wharf, pier, dock and marine railway: Construction, maintenance and repair

     Applies to contractors engaged in the construction, maintenance or repair of piers, wharves, docks and marine railways. A pier or wharf is a platform extending from a shore over water and supported by piles or pillars. A dock is the area between two piers or alongside a pier or wharf. These types of platforms are for vessels to tie up and provide an area for loading, unloading, or repairing vessels. Most often, the construction of such platforms will include the foundation or substructure being under water or mud, and the remainder of the platform being exposed above the water or mud. Work contemplated by this classification includes, but is not limited to, construction of the foundation or substructure which consists of shaft sinking, pile driving, stacking of piles and/or erection of a cofferdam, and includes all concrete, steel or carpentry work after the foundation or substructure is built to completion of the project. Shaft sinking involves the removal of earth from a hole with a relatively small diameter and usually at a considerable depth. Pile driving involves long sturdy posts or columns of timber, steel, or concrete being driven into the earth as a foundation or support for the structure. The cofferdam is a temporary structure from which water can be pumped or sucked to provide a dry work area during construction of the foundation or substructure. Once the foundation support is complete, the cofferdam is taken apart and removed. This classification also includes caisson work as part of the construction for the foundation or substructure support.

     This classification excludes diving operations or activities which are to be reported separately in classification 0202-04.

     Special note: The construction of piers, wharves, docks and marine railways could occur on or adjacent to navigable waters (harbors, rivers, canals) which is defined as those which form a continuous highway for interstate or international commerce. Workers who perform the work activities from on board a vessel could be subject to the Admiralty Law which recognizes such work crews and workers as a master or member of a vessel, and subject to federal law known as the Jones Act. Every person on board a vessel is deemed a seaman if connected with the operation while on navigable water. The term vessel has been interpreted by the courts to include any type of man-made floating object such as a floating derrick, floating barge, a pontoon (which is a flat bottom boat) or portable float. Workers who perform the work activities from the shoreline or from adjacent areas such as an existing dock, pier, or bridge may or may not be subject to federal law covered under the U.S. Longshore and Harbor Workers Act. Usually, these types of projects involve a variety of work crews such as those working from a floating derrick or barge, a pontoon, a shoreline pile crew, workers inside the cofferdam, as well as the maintenance and repair of the construction material or equipment. Care should be exercised prior to assignment of this classification as the workers could be subject to either or both of these acts. The criteria used in determining federal law and coverage is based on the most current federal court decisions and case law.


0202-04 Diving operations and subaqueous work, N.O.C.

     Applies to establishments engaged in diving operations not covered by another classification (N.O.C.). Diving operations such as underwater diving, skin diving or scuba diving are performed in numerous types of uncontrolled environments such as the ocean, harbors, bays, dams, lakes, as well as controlled environments such as swimming pools or aquarium tanks. Work contemplated by this classification includes, but is not limited to, marine salvage and wreckage, underwater mining and sweeping, underwater construction or demolition, installation, repair and/or inspection of wharves, piers, and docks, inspection of ships, barges, and other vessels, underwater exploration, as well as diving instruction. Classification 0202 includes all diving activities with the following exception: Diving instructors who provide instructional lessons in a controlled environment such as a swimming pool may be reported separately in classification 6209 provided accurate time records are maintained for the instructional lesson hours. Failure to maintain accurate time records will result in the hours in question being assigned to classification 0202 without a division of hours between the two classifications.

     Special note: Many diving operations and activities occur on or adjacent to navigable waters (a harbor, river, canal, dam, lake) which is defined as those which form a continuous highway for interstate or international commerce. Workers who perform diving activities (to include divers, deck hands, or "diving tenders" who are support personnel such as line handlers and pump persons) from on board a vessel could be subject to the Admiralty Law which recognizes such work crews and workers as a master or member of a vessel, and subject to federal law known as the Jones Act. Every person on board a vessel is deemed a seaman if connected with the operation while on navigable water. The term vessel has been interpreted by the courts to include any type of man-made floating object such as a floating derrick or dredge, a boat or ship, a barge, or type of pontoon (which is a flat bottom boat) or portable float. Workers who perform diving activities (to include divers, deck hands, or "diving tenders" who are support personnel such as line handlers and pump persons) from the shoreline or from adjacent areas such as an existing dock, pier or bridge may or may not be subject to federal law covered under the U.S. Longshore and Harbor Workers Act. Care should be exercised prior to assignment of this classification as the workers could be subject to either or both of these acts. The criteria used in determining federal law and coverage is based on the most current federal court decisions and case law.


0202-05 Geoduck harvesting by divers (to be assigned only by the maritime specialist)

     Applies to establishments engaged in diving operations to harvest wild geoduck clams from natural areas. Work contemplated by this classification includes subaqueous harvesting of geoduck clams, sea cucumbers or similar marine life.

     Special note: Many diving operations and activities occur on or adjacent to navigable waters (a harbor, river, canal, dam, lake) which is defined as those which form a continuous highway for interstate or international commerce. Workers who perform diving activities (to include divers, deck hands, or "diving tenders" who are support personnel such as line handlers and pump persons) from on board a vessel could be subject to the Jones Act or Admiralty Law which recognize such work crews and workers as masters or members of a vessel, and subject to federal law known as the Jones Act. Every person on board a vessel is deemed a seaman if connected with the operation while on navigable water. The term vessel has been interpreted by the courts to include any type of man-made floating object such as a floating derrick or dredge, a boat or ship, a barge, or type of pontoon (which is a flat bottom boat) or portable float. Workers who perform diving activities (to include divers, deck hands, or "diving tenders" or other support personnel such as line handlers and pump persons) from the shoreline or from adjacent areas such as an existing dock, pier or bridge may or may not be subject to federal law covered under the U.S. Longshore and Harbor Workers Compensation Act (LHWCA). Care should be exercised prior to assignment of this classification as the workers could be subject to either or both state fund or federal jurisdiction. The criteria used in determining federal law and coverage is based on the most current federal court decisions and case law.



[Statutory Authority: RCW 51.16.035, 51.16.100, 2008 c 70, and Title 51 RCW. 08-15-132, § 296-17A-0202, filed 7/22/08, effective 1/1/09. 07-01-014, recodified as § 296-17A-0202, filed 12/8/06, effective 12/8/06. Statutory Authority: RCW 51.16.035. 98-18-042, § 296-17-509, filed 8/28/98, effective 10/1/98. Statutory Authority: RCW 51.04.020(1) and51.16.035 . 89-24-051 (Order 89-22), § 296-17-509, filed 12/1/89, effective 1/1/90. Statutory Authority: RCW 51.16.035. 87-12-032 (Order 87-12), § 296-17-509, filed 5/29/87, effective 7/1/87; 85-24-032 (Order 85-33), § 296-17-509, filed 11/27/85, effective 1/1/86; 85-06-026 (Order 85-7), § 296-17-509, filed 2/28/85, effective 4/1/85; 83-24-017 (Order 83-36), § 296-17-509, filed 11/30/83, effective 1/1/84; Order 76-36, § 296-17-509, filed 11/30/76; Order 73-22, § 296-17-509, filed 11/9/73, effective 1/1/74.]