Class 7600
Code 7600 is applied to all employees of telecommunications companies other than those employees working within offices or exchanges. Office or exchange employees are classified to Code 8901. The term “telecommunications” includes cellular phone companies.
This classification includes drivers and all employees involved in the operation and maintenance of overhead and underground lines away from the exchanges including the extension of lines and making of service connections. Specific operations included in Code 7600 include clearing right-of-ways; erecting poles, cross-arms and insulators; stringing overhead lines or lead sheath cables used for multiple circuits; and laying underground cables.
In situations where telecommunications companies do not maintain exchanges, and their employees hook up their telephone lines to existing telecommunications companies’ cables that are the property of other telecommunications companies, and these existing lines are located within manholes, such operations are also included in Code 7600.
Those employees who make service connections to subscribers and provide maintenance or subsequent extension of lines are assigned by analogy to Code 7600.
The term “coaxial cable” used above refers to that line which runs from a receiving dish or tower into a general area. This type of line is also known as a “trunk line.”
Distribution lines run from a trunk line into a particular street. These lines are considered part of the main coaxial cable for classification purposes.
The terms “extension” or “service connection” (also known as service drops) refer to the installation of TV cable or telephone wires, which can be made of copper, fiber optics, or other materials, from a distribution line to an individual customer’s location to provide that individual customer with service. When a customer subscribes to a service, a connection known as a distribution tap is made at the distribution line. The extension, service connection, or service drop is made from this tap.
The following indicates the proper classification for different types of businesses performing low-voltage cable installation for communication purposes.
Main coaxial cable—Overhead only - Television Cable Co or Specialist Contractor - 7601. Telephone Company - 7600
Main coaxial cable—Underground only. Cable is laid manually - Television Cable Co or Specialist Contractor - 7601. Telephone Company - 7600.
Main coaxial cable—Underground only. Cable is laid with automatic equipment - Television Cable Co or Specialist Contractor - 6325. Telephone Company - 7600
Extension, Line Maintenance, and Service Connection - Television Cable Co, Specialist Contractor or Telephone Company – Code 7600.
Code 7601 and Code 6325 may be assigned to the same insured on the same policy simultaneously for a contractor who performs both above- and below-ground cable installation if the contractor utilizes automatic equipment to install the underground cable. Considering the self-contained nature of the automatic underground cable laying operation, each type of cable installation is viewed as a separate job or location.
Refer to Codes 6325, 7600 or 7601 for low-voltage communication cable installations conducted by specialist contractors.
Refer to Code 7219 for classification procedures for dispatchers.
Class 7600
Includes operation, maintenance, extension of lines and making of service connection.