Washington Administrative Code
Title 296 - Labor and Industries, Department of
Chapter 296-17A - Classifications for Washington workers' compensation insurance
Section 296-17A-3511 - Classification 3511

3511-02 Fiberglass goods: Manufacturing, N.O.C.

Applies to establishments engaged in the manufacture of a wide variety of fiberglass goods not covered by another classification (N.O.C.) including, but not limited to, hot tubs, swimming or wading pools, boat hulls, chair frames, doors, fish tanks, satellite dishes, tanks, display carts, signs, industrial equipment, pick up canopies, and auto body parts such as fenders, hoods, or visors. "Fiberglass" is a composite material consisting of glass fibers in resin; it is applied over or into molds by spraying, brushing, or spreading. Materials include, but are not limited to, resin (usually received in barrels), liquid hardeners, fiberglass ribbon, and molds. Before a mold is used it is sprayed with a release agent so the item is more easily removed. In the spraying technique, resin is sprayed with compressed air gun through a "chopper gun" into the mold, while a "ribbon" of fiberglass is simultaneously fed through a razor cutter which chops it into short lengths and blows it into the mold. Because the hardeners cause the material to "set" in a short period of time, the spraying is done rapidly. Once the desired thickness is attained, the material is left in the mold until completely set and cured, then removed. Spraying and chopping the fiberglass in this method causes a substantial amount of debris in the air, so workers usually wear respirator masks. There are many finishing techniques, such as smoothing the sprayed fiberglass with a hand-held rubber roller, applying various materials such as "gel" or "vinyl" to produce a glossy surface, joining parts to make very large items, attaching hardware, all of which are included within the scope of this classification when done by employees of an employer having operations subject to this classification.

This classification excludes establishments engaged in the manufacture of plastic items by blow molding or extrusion, vacuum forming, foam, rotary, or liquid molding, or injection molding, and establishments engaged in the manufacture of artificial marble items or graphite composite goods, which are to be reported separately in classification 3510; establishments engaged in the cutting, milling, bending, heating and shaping of hard plastic goods which are to be reported separately in classification 3512; and establishments engaged in the manufacture of auto body parts from materials other than fiberglass which are to be reported separately in the classification applicable to the materials and the processes being used.

Special note: Mold making for their own production is included within the scope of this classification when done by employees of an employer subject to this classification. Molds are usually made of wood; they are smoothed and shaped with a filler, like auto body putty, then coated with fiberglass.

07-01-014, recodified as § 296-17A-3511, filed 12/8/06, effective 12/8/06. Statutory Authority: RCW 51.16.035. 98-18-042, § 296-17-59203, filed 8/28/98, effective 10/1/98. Statutory Authority: RCW 51.04.020(1) and 51.16.035. 91-12-014, § 296-17-59203, filed 5/31/91, effective 7/1/91.