The Florida workers compensation class code of 0106 is the class code used to rate the payroll of employees involved in tree trimming. Many landscapers offer tree trimming services to clients and the payroll from those projects must be reported using a separate workers compensation classification code. We receive many questions about which job contracts and how much of an employee’s payroll must be classified to this code on the Florida workers compensation policy. The definition of the class code from NCCI states that 0106 is used primarily for employees involved in the following operations:

Code 0106 applies to specialist contractors who use hand tools or mechanical equipment to prune, spray, repair, trim, or fumigate trees. Code 0106 is applied to risks that perform one or more of the aforementioned activities. These operations may be performed from ground level or by climbing the tree, or may require the use of ladders and/or aerial buckets. The removal, chipping, cleanup, and haul away of tree limbs and debris are also assigned to Code 0106.

Repair operations may involve cutting large, uprooted trees into manageable pieces for removal and/or pulling trees upright. Code 0106 additionally includes incidental tree removal of one or a few trees on developed sites conducted in connection with the described operations.

Applicable by job site to tree pruning contracts requiring any above-ground level work. Code 0106 applies to the whole contract including, but not limited to, chipping and cleanup activities regardless of whether or not a separate contract is written for tree pruning or lawn maintenance and another contract is written for chipping or cleanup. Incidental tree removal on a developed site conducted in connection with tree pruning, spraying, and repairing operations is also assigned to Code 0106. Code 0106 is differentiated from Code 2702—Logging or Lumbering & Drivers because under Code 0106 a tree is removed by cutting it into sections. Also, due to limited clearance from structures, a guide rope is used as needed to direct the fall of the tree.

Code 0106 is applicable to risks contracting exclusively to remove immediate tree hazards due to natural catastrophes. Tree hazard cleanup may involve removing dead trees; trees or branches that are leaning on trees, power lines, or other structures; trees with broken or cracked stems; or large, dead or broken limbs that are still attached to a tree.

Information on the current Florida workers compensation rates (Effective April 1st, 2009) is available in an article through that link. Please be aware that these are subject to change based on decisions of the Florida’s Insurance Commissioner and the claim data information he receives from NCCI.

Please feel free to contact us for a free copy of the complete definition for Florida workers compensation class code 0106 or any other classification that could apply to your landscaping business.

The Agent Articles section of BearWiseLandscapers.com allows our insurance agents to provide practical information for landscapers. These agents can also obtain quotes and establish a custom insurance program for your landscaping business through our access to a variety of insurance carriers. This agent article is filed under 4 Workers' Compensation, and you can follow comments to it through the RSS 2.0 feed. Feel free to leave your own response below: