General Explanation of some NCCI Workers Compensation Codes – 0042, 0106, 9102

Disclaimer: Always consult with your agent for local and state definitions which may differ from theses. Not all states use NCCI codes, some may have additional or alternative guidance. This is provided as educational information only, it is not intended to cover all circumstances or as legal advice.

0042:
In general, Code 0042 is applied to insureds primarily engaged in planning, clearing, grading and planting necessary for landscaping operations. The clearing and grading done by these insureds is of the fine type necessary for finishing operations and does not result in changes to the contour of the land. These insureds may have nursery operations but such work would be limited and usually conducted to furnish stock for their landscaping business. Sod installers are also classified to Code 0042.

The essential difference between the application of Codes 0042 and 9102 to a job is that Code 0042 is applicable to work involving new landscaping installations, whereas Code 9102 is applicable to work involving the maintenance of existing landscaping and/or lawn maintenance.

0106:
In general, 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.

9102:
Insureds that perform maintenance of lawns, grounds, and gardens are assigned by analogy to Code 9102. The maintenance may involve lawn mowing, raking, application of liquid or granular fertilizer, spraying and trimming of shrubs or small trees from the ground, and thatching or aerating. If any one or all of the above operations are performed by a lawn maintenance risk classified to Code 9102, then minor and incidental landscaping operations performed by the same risk, such as the replacement of dead shrubs, the planting of a few flowers, and the placing of rock or brick as edging designs are included under Code 9102. This minor landscaping operation is distinguished from work performed by an insured at a job or location where the primary work at the job or location is landscaping.