WAC 296-17A-1507   Classification 1507.  


1507-01 Irrigation ditches operation, repair and maintenance

     Applies to establishments engaged in providing water for agricultural irrigation through a network of ditches, canals and/or pipelines. Irrigation system operations may be owned by individuals, a private company, cooperatives or a municipality. Water for irrigation can come from a natural above or below ground source or a reservoir and is kept flowing by means of pumping plants. Irrigation water usage is monitored at the "turn-out" which must be manually opened by an employee of the irrigation company and is located between the ditch/pipeline and the user's field. Work contemplated by this classification includes, but is not limited to, digging and maintaining ditches or canals, installing underground pipe, installation or maintenance of control gates and pumps, cleaning of ditches, spraying to control insects, and regular maintenance of vehicles and equipment when done by employees of an employer having operations subject to this classification. Machinery and equipment includes, but is not limited to, water pumps, ditch digging/pipe laying equipment, control gates, pumps, vehicles, spraying equipment and hand tools. This classification includes the operation of drainage systems by a private company or a municipal special purpose district.

     This classification excludes: Contractors engaged in the digging of ditches or canals who are to be reported separately in classification 0108 or 0201 as applicable; contractors engaged in underground pipe laying which is to be reported separately in classification 0107; contractors engaged in the installation of agricultural sprinkler systems which is to be reported separately in classification 0301; contractors engaged in the installation or repair of irrigation/drainage pumps which is to be reported separately in classification 0306; the routine irrigation of individual agricultural acreage with the owner's own system which is to be reported separately in the classification applicable to the establishment; the construction of any new buildings which is to be reported separately in the construction classification applicable to the work being performed; and clerical office and administrative personnel who are to be reported separately as appropriate, classification 5305 for cities and towns, classification 5306 for counties, or classifications 4904 and 6303 for nonmunicipal ownership.

     Special note: Many water supply operations in Washington may have "irrigation district" as part of their name because of their original purpose, but they are actually functioning as a waterworks supplying residential users and are to be reported separately in classification 1507-02.


1507-02 Waterworks operations, repair and maintenance

     Applies to establishments engaged in the operation of water purification and distribution systems known as waterworks. Water is obtained from natural sources of surface or groundwater, piped to filtration plants, filtered, treated with chemicals, then pumped to holding facilities for eventual distribution to the user through underground pipes. Waterworks may be owned by cooperatives, such as homeowners' associations, a private company, or a municipality (as a P.U.D.). Work contemplated by this classification includes, but is not limited to, erection of towers and tanks, underground waterline construction, maintenance of purification and filtration facilities, installation of fire hydrants, operating a laboratory, main-to-house hook-ups and the installation and reading of meters when done by employees of an employer having operations subject to this classification. Machinery and equipment includes, but is not limited to, excavating, pipe laying, erecting and welding equipment, vehicles, machine shop equipment, pumps and gauges, meters and hand tools. This classification includes the operation of sewerage treatment plants by owner or contract.

     This classification excludes: Contractors engaged in underground waterline construction, maintenance or repair, including main-to-house hook-ups, who are to be reported separately in classification 0107; plumbing contractors engaged in waterline main-to-house hook-ups as part of an all-inclusive plumbing installation contract which is to be reported separately in classification 0306; the erection of water towers and tanks by a contractor which is to be reported separately in classification 0508; contractors engaged in industrial plant maintenance who are to be reported separately in classification 0603; the construction of dams which is to be reported separately in classification 0701; the construction of any new buildings which is to be reported separately in the construction classification applicable to the work being performed; and clerical office and administrative personnel who are to be reported separately as appropriate, classification 5305 for cities and towns, classification 5306 for counties, or classifications 4904 and 6303 for nonmunicipal.



[07-01-014, recodified as § 296-17A-1507, filed 12/8/06, effective 12/8/06. Statutory Authority: RCW 51.16.035, 51.04.020. 00-14-052, § 296-17-546, filed 7/1/00, effective 7/1/00. Statutory Authority: RCW 51.16.035. 98-18-042, § 296-17-546, filed 8/28/98, effective 10/1/98; 96-12-039, § 296-17-546, filed 5/31/96, effective 7/1/96; 85-24-032 (Order 85-33), § 296-17-546, filed 11/27/85, effective 1/1/86; 85-06-026 (Order 85-7), § 296-17-546, filed 2/28/85, effective 4/1/85; 83-24-017 (Order 83-36), § 296-17-546, filed 11/30/83, effective 1/1/84; Order 74-40, § 296-17-546, filed 11/27/74, effective 1/1/75; Order 73-22, § 296-17-546, filed 11/9/73, effective 1/1/74.]