DEPARTMENT OF

LABOR AND INDUSTRIES

(1) Does this same classification approach apply to building and construction contractors?

Yes, but it may not appear that way without further explanation. We classify contractors by phase and type of construction since it is common for each contract to vary in scope.

If we have assigned multiple classifications to your construction business you should take special care in maintaining the records required in the auditing and recordkeeping section of this manual. If we discover that you have failed to keep the required records we will assign all worker hours for which the records were not maintained to the highest rated classification applicable to the work that was performed.

(2) Who does this rule apply to?

If you are a building, construction or erection contractor and we have assigned one or more of the following classifications to your business, this rule applies to you: 0101, 0103, 0104, 0105, 0106, 0107, 0108, 0112, 0201, 0202, 0210, 0212, 0214, 0217, 0219, 0301, 0302, 0303, 0306, 0307, 0403, 0502, 0504, 0507, 0508, 0509, 0510, 0511, 0512, 0513, 0514, 0516, 0517, 0518, 0519, 0521, 0540, 0541, 0550, 0551, 0601, 0602, 0603, 0607, 0608, and 0701.

(3) Can I have a single classification assigned to my business to cover a specific construction project?

Yes, to simplify recordkeeping and reporting requirements we will assign a single classification to cover an entire project.

(4) How do I request the single classification for one of my construction projects?

You should send your request to the attention of your account manager at the address below:

Department of Labor and Industries

P.O. Box 44144

Olympia, Washington 98504-4144

(5) If I have asked for a single classification on one of my construction projects, how do you determine which classification will apply?

You must supply us with a description of the project and a break down of the total number of hours of exposure by phase of construction that you are responsible for.

With this information we will estimate the premiums by classification.

Our next step in this process is to develop an average hourly rate for the project. We will use this information to select the single classification which will apply to this project.

To select the single classification that will apply to a construction project, we will compare the average hourly rate that we have computed to the rates of the classifications applicable to the project. We will select the classification whose hourly rate is the closest to the average hourly rate that we computed from the information you supplied us with.

(6) How will I know what classification will apply to my construction project?

We will send you a written notice which will specify the basic classification and premium rate that will apply to this project.

(7) If I have asked for a single classification to cover one of my construction projects, am I required to use the single classification which you gave me?

No, but you should call your account manager to verify what other classifications would apply to the project. The name and phone number of your account manager can be found on your quarterly premium report or your annual rate notice. For your convenience you can call us at 360-902-4817 and we will put you in contact with your assigned account manager.

(8) I am a general construction or erection contractor((,)); I subcontract all my work and have no employees of my own. Do I have to report to the department of labor and industries?

No, since you do not have employees, you do not need to report to the department of labor and industries. You should be aware that the workers' compensation insurance laws of Washington include certain independent contractors as workers. If we determine that an independent contractor that you used qualifies as a covered worker, you will be responsible for the premium due for their work time. You can also be held responsible for premiums due to labor and industries if you subcontract with an unregistered contractor and they fail to pay premiums on behalf of their employees. It is in your best interest to make sure that your subcontractors are registered contractors in good standing by confirming their status on the department's web site or contacting your account manager.

(9) Am I required to keep any special records of subcontractors that I use?

Yes, you are required to keep certain information about the subcontractors that you use. The information required is:

• Subcontractor's legal name;

• Contractor registration number and expiration date;

• UBI number (or labor and industries account ID number).

If you supply materials to a subcontractor, also keep a record of the:

• Amount of material supplied;

• Project name or location;

• Date material was supplied; and

• Completion date of contracted work.

Failure to maintain these records may result in the subcontractor being considered a covered worker for whom you must report hours.

(10) What classification should I use to report construction site cleanup by my employees? You should report the cleanup of construction debris in the same classification that applied to the work which generated the debris unless another classification treatment is provided for in other rules. For example, if you are a roofing contractor and you have an employee pick up roofing debris at the construction (project) site, you would report the employee involved in the site cleanup in the roofing classification (0507). If you are the general contractor at a construction site and have either classification 0510 "wood frame building construction" or classification 0518 "nonwood frame building construction" assigned to your business, you would report site cleanup in the classification applicable to the type of building you are constructing. For example, if you are a general contractor and you are engaged in building a single-family wood frame dwelling, you would report construction site cleanup by your employees in classification 0510 "wood frame building construction."

(11) I am a construction site clean-up contractor, my employees only pick up construction debris, we do no construction work, what classification do I report site cleanup in? If your employees are collecting and/or removing construction site debris, you would report in classification 4305-22. If your employees are collecting and/or removing nonconstruction debris such as household junk, garden waste, basement debris, furniture and appliances, you would also report in classification 4305-22. If you have contracts to clean up construction debris and also provide preoccupancy clean up work and are not a construction contractor, then you can divide hours between the two risk classifications 4305-22 and 6602-03 providing accurate accounting records are kept for both activities.

(12) What classification should I use to report the work time of my employees when they are involved in the set up of scaffolding, hoists, cranes, towers or elevators at a construction site? We use the same classification treatment for this type of work as we do with construction site cleanup. For example, if you are a roofing contractor and you have an employee set up scaffolding at the construction (project) site, you would report the employee involved in the set up of scaffolding in the roofing classification (0507). If you are the general contractor at a construction site and have either classification 0510 "wood frame building construction" or classification 0518 "nonwood frame building construction" assigned to your business, you would report the set up of scaffolding at the construction in the classification applicable to the type of building you are constructing. For example, if you are a general contractor and you are engaged in building a single-family wood frame dwelling, you would report scaffolding set up by your employees in classification 0510 "wood frame building construction." Helicopter services that are engaged to assist in lifting beams, air conditioning units, statues and other objects onto buildings or structures are to be reported separately in classification 6803.

(13) Is preoccupancy cleanup of a building by my employees classified the same as debris cleanup at a construction site? Since your understanding of what preoccupancy clean-up work is may be different from ours, we need to share with you our understanding before we can answer this question. Our understanding in this area is that preoccupancy cleanup occurs after the building is finished. The clean-up work consists of washing paint and overspray from windows, vacuuming carpets, washing floors and fixtures, and dusting woodwork, doors and cabinets. If you have employees whose duties are limited to this type of cleaning, we will allow you to report their work time in classification 6602 "janitors."

(14) If I have an employee who does some construction work, construction site cleanup and preoccupancy cleanup, can I divide their work time between the janitor and a construction classification? No, we will not permit you to divide the work time of an employee between the janitor classification and a construction classification. If you have an employee who does preoccupancy clean-up work for you, and that employee also performs other nonpreoccupancy clean-up work for you such as construction work, shop work or construction site debris clean-up work, then you must report all of their work time in the applicable construction or nonshop classification.

Applies to contractors engaged in clearing right of ways for subsurface construction on a new or existing highway, street, or roadway project that is not covered by another classification (N.O.C.). The subsurface is the roadbed foundation consisting of dirt, sand, gravel and/or ballast which has been leveled and compressed. Unless the finished project is a compressed gravel road, the subsurface or sub base is constructed prior to any asphalt or concrete paving activities. Work contemplated by this classification involves the excavation of rocks and boulders, removal of tree stumps, clearing or scraping land of vegetation, grubbing, earth excavation, cut and fill work, and bringing the roadbed to grade. Equipment used by contractors subject to this classification includes a variety of earth moving equipment such as, but not limited to, shovels, scrapers, bulldozers, graders, rollers, and dump trucks.

This classification excludes asphalt surfacing or resurfacing on roadways which is to be reported separately in classification 0210; construction specialty services such as the installation of guardrails, lighting standards and striping which is to be reported separately in classification 0219; bridge or tunnel construction including the abutments and approaches which is to be reported separately in classification 0201; felling of trees which is to be reported separately in the applicable logging classification; and logging road construction which is to be reported separately in classification 6902.

Applies to contractors primarily engaged in clearing right of ways for subsurface construction on a new or existing airport landing strip, runway, and taxi way. This classification also includes clearing of right of ways for alley and parking lot projects. The subsurface is the foundation consisting of dirt, sand, gravel and/or ballast which has been leveled and compressed. Unless the finished project is compressed gravel, the subsurface or sub base is constructed prior to any asphalt or concrete paving activities. Work contemplated by this classification involves the excavation of rocks and boulders, removal of tree stumps, clearing or scraping land of vegetation, grubbing, earth excavation, cut and fill work, and bringing the roadbed or project site to grade. Equipment used by contractors subject to this classification includes a variety of earth moving equipment such as, but not limited to, shovels, scrapers, bulldozers, graders, rollers, and dump trucks.

This classification excludes asphalt surfacing or resurfacing on roadways which is to be reported separately in classification 0210; construction specialty services such as the installation of guardrails, lighting standards and striping which is to be reported separately in classification 0219; and felling of trees which is to be reported separately in the applicable logging classification.

Applies to contractors engaged in general excavation work for others that is not covered by another classification (N.O.C.). Work contemplated by this classification involves excavating or digging of earth to form the foundation hole such as for a wood-frame or nonwood-frame building and side sewer hookups (street to house) when performed as part of the excavation contract. Activities include, but are not limited to, excavation of rocks and boulders, removal of tree stumps, clearing or scraping land of vegetation, grubbing, piling or pushing of earth, earth excavation, cut and fill work, backfilling, etc. Equipment used by contractors subject to this classification includes a variety of earth moving equipment such as, but not limited to, shovels, scrapers, bulldozers, graders and dump trucks.

This classification excludes asphalt surfacing or resurfacing on roadways which is to be reported separately in classification 0210 and felling of trees which is to be reported separately in the applicable logging classification.

Applies to contractors engaged in various forms of grading work for others that are not covered by another classification (N.O.C.). Typical equipment used is a grader, but other equipment such as a bulldozer and a front end loader may also be used. Work contemplated by this classification includes, but is not limited to, leveling and grading lands, spreading dirt, sand, gravel and/or ballast to desired contour on farm lands or other tracts of land.

Applies to contractors engaged in general land clearing work that is not covered by another classification (N.O.C.). This classification includes, but is not limited to, excavation of rocks and boulders, removal of tree stumps, clearing or scraping land of vegetation, grubbing, piling or pushing of earth to rearrange the terrain, earth excavation, cut and fill work, backfilling, and slope grooming. Equipment used by contractors subject to this classification includes a variety of earth moving equipment such as, but not limited to, shovels, scrapers, bulldozers, graders and dump trucks.

This classification excludes felling of trees which is to be reported separately in the applicable logging classification.

Applies to contractors engaged in the construction, maintenance and repair of railroad tracks not covered by another classification (N.O.C.), including the dismantling of track and the sale of salvaged track metal and ties. Work contemplated by this classification includes all operations on new or existing main lines, side tracks and spurs to industrial properties. This classification includes, but is not limited to, the laying of rock or ballast, laying of ties and track, installation of crossover frogs and switches, erection of switch stands and switch mechanism, erection of cattle guards, the placing of grade crossing planks, and similar activities related to the laying or relaying of railroad lines and also includes the dismantling of railroad main lines, side tracks and spurs to include track, ties, etc., and the subsequent storage and sale of salvaged material after the railroad line is dismantled.

This classification excludes asphalt surfacing/resurfacing and all concrete construction work which is to be reported separately in the applicable asphalt or concrete construction classification; logging railroad construction which is to be reported separately in classification 6902; and the construction, maintenance, or repair of an elevated railway which is to be reported separately in classification 0508.

Applies to contractors engaged in the construction or repair of retaining walls in connection with highway, street, or roadway projects that are not covered by another classification (N.O.C.). Retaining walls are often constructed to protect against potential problems such as earth slides or erosion of banks alongside a roadway or overpass. Work contemplated by this classification involves large scale excavation to contour a specific area of earth serving as a retaining wall. Activities include, but are not limited to, excavation, clearing, cut and fill work, backfilling, grading and slope grooming. Fill material used may include dirt, sand, stone or boulder. Equipment used by contractors subject to this classification includes, but is not limited to, scrapers, bulldozers, graders, backhoes and dump trucks.

This classification excludes asphalt surfacing or resurfacing on roadways which is to be reported separately in classification 0210; concrete construction which is to be reported separately in the applicable concrete construction classification; construction specialty services such as the installation of guardrails, lighting standards and striping which is to be reported separately in classification 0219; bridge or tunnel construction including the abutments and approaches which is to be reported separately in classification 0201; felling of trees by chain saw which is to be reported separately in classification 5001; logging road construction which is to be reported separately in classification 6902; and tunnels and approaches including lining, cofferdam work, shaft sinking and well digging with caissons which is to be reported separately in classification 0201.

Applies to establishments engaged in various types of remediation of soil contaminated with hazardous or toxic materials. Soil remediation can take place at the site of the contamination, or the contaminated soil may be hauled to another area for remediation. This classification also includes oil spill cleanup on land. Equipment used will include backhoes and front end loaders, as well as other types of dirt moving equipment.

The methods used for soil remediation include, but are not limited to:

- Bio-remediation: Contaminated soil is mixed with nutrients, sawdust, and various other additives. Naturally occurring bacteria in the soil break down the pollutants.

- Encapsulation: Contaminated soil is enclosed in some type of protective material to prevent drainage into surrounding soil.

- Excavation and hauling to an approved disposal site.

- Hot air vapor extraction: A burner unit is mounted on a trailer. Contaminated soil is arranged in layers on which an aluminum perforated pipe system is placed at 2' intervals, with a return pipe on the top layer. The soil stack is enclosed in visqueen, then hot air is pumped into the piping system which creates the steam that is recycled through the system and carries the contaminants back through the catalytic burner. Because of the catalytic action there are virtually no contaminants exhausted into the atmosphere.

- Soil vapor extraction: A series of holes are bored in the ground and vacuum pumps are used to suck the trapped gases which are drawn through carbon filters for decontamination.

- In situ vitrification: Graphite electrodes are fed into contaminated soil at a specified rate, where high voltage "melts" the organic and inorganic materials in the soil and forms a solid, glasslike substance.

- Land farming: Contaminated soil is deposited and spread out by a farm type spreader on an area of ground dedicated for this purpose. Chemical or manure fertilizer is added to provide a medium for naturally occurring bacteria to thrive. (This part is similar to bio-remediation.) The soil is turned frequently by tillers or rototillers to assist in the aeration of the soil and in the growth of the bacteria. It may take anywhere from a month to two years to cleanse the soil, depending on the volatility of the contaminants. This method is used particularly with soil that is heavily contaminated with oil.

- Mobile incineration: Contaminated soil is loaded onto a conveyor belt which carries it into the hopper of a mobile unit mounted on a lowboy trailer. The unit is heated to burn off the contaminants in the soil. The mobile unit contains a type of dust-collecting mechanism which filters out gases and other nondesirable elements so only clean air enters the atmosphere as the refreshed soil is produced. There are various methods of mobile incineration, but the general process and the end result are similar.

- Thermal disabsorption: A process similar to mobile incineration.

- Stabilization: Concrete landfill cells are created by mixing cement with refuse or other contaminated soil to stabilize the material and reduce the seepage into the surrounding soil.

This classification excludes oil spill cleanup involving diking or ditching work which is to be reported separately in classification 0201.

Applies to contractors engaged in the excavation of pools or ponds. Work contemplated by this classification involves excavating or digging of earth to form the hole such as for a swimming pool or pond. Work contemplated by this classification includes excavation of rocks and boulders, removal of tree stumps, clearing or scraping land of vegetation, grubbing, piling or pushing of earth, earth excavation, cutting, filling or backfilling, etc. Equipment used by contractors subject to this classification includes a variety of earth moving equipment such as, but not limited to, shovels, bulldozers, backhoes and dump trucks. This classification includes the placement of plastic pool and pond liners provided it is not in connection with concrete work.

This classification excludes concrete construction which is to be reported separately in the applicable concrete construction classification.

Applies to contractors engaged in mowing, grooming, picking up litter, and chemical spraying of roadway median strips and edges, roadsides, and power line right of ways. Work contemplated by this classification includes spraying chemicals to control weeds and unwanted vegetation, tall grass, brush, brambles and tree seedlings as part of a roadway, roadside or right of way maintenance contract. Equipment used by contractors subject to this classification includes, but is not limited to, a variety of equipment such as backhoes, tractors, push mowers, brush mowers, weed eaters, as well as hand tools such as machetes, sickles, and pruners.

This classification excludes mowing and/or grooming of roadway median strips, roadsides, and power line right of ways when performed by employees of cities, counties, state agencies, or other municipalities which is to be reported in the classification applicable to the type of municipality performing the work; forest, timber or range land contract work which is to be reported separately in the classification applicable to the work being performed; and the felling and removal of trees by chain saw which is to be reported separately in classification 5001.

Special note: Classification 0301, "landscape construction," and classification 0308, "landscape maintenance," are not to be assigned to mowing and/or grooming of roadway median strips, roadsides, and power line right of ways.

Applies to specialist contractors engaged in providing a variety of tree care services such as tree topping and tree pruning that are not covered by another classification (N.O.C.). Work contemplated by this classification generally takes place in residential areas, parking lots, business parks, shopping malls, or settings adjacent to nonforestry or timberland roadways. A primary purpose of this work is to remove tree or branch hazards from power lines, structures, or buildings. This classification includes, but is not limited to:

• Incidental ground operations such as picking up branches and limbs;

• Operating mobile chip machines used in connection with a tree care service;

• Spraying or fumigating of trees;

• Debris removal and stump removal when conducted by employees of an employer subject to this classification.

This classification excludes:

• Tree care services done in connection with an orchard operation which is to be reported separately in classification 4803 when performed by orchard employees;

• Tree care services done in connection with a nursery operation which is to be reported separately in classification 4805;

• Tree care services done in connection with a public or private forest or timberland which is to be reported separately in classification 5004;

• Tree care services done in connection with a Christmas tree farm operation which is to be reported separately in classification 7307; and

• Felling trees which is to be reported separately in classification 5001.

Applies to contractors engaged in the construction, maintenance or repair of overhead telephone or telegraph lines, poles and towers. Work contemplated by this classification includes, but is not limited to, clearing a right of way (excluding logging-type operations), boring holes for poles to be set in, installing cross arms, insulators and brackets on poles (which may be wood or metal), setting poles or towers into position, installing guy wires if necessary, stringing the lines, incidental tree topping, tying into the low-voltage power source, and making service connections when done by employees of an employer having operations subject to this classification. Towers may be of a solid wall, cylindrical steel construction or of a fabricated steel cross member design reaching a height of about 50 feet, and are secured to a concrete pad or set into the ground. They may be used to elevate the lines to cross long distances or to support microwave antennae or receivers.

This classification excludes specialty contractors engaged in any single phase of the work described above: Land clearing and grading operations which are to be reported separately in classification 0101; erection of poles or towers which is to be reported separately in classification 0508; drilling holes which is to be reported separately in classification 0103; tree topping which is to be reported separately in classification ((0101)) 0106; service connections which are be reported separately in classification 0608; underground telephone line installation which is to be reported separately in classification 0107; and the felling of timber which is to be reported separately in the applicable logging classification.

Special note: If done by a telephone or telegraph company the work described above is included in classification 1303. A contractor engaged in the installation of electric and/or cable television overhead lines in addition to telephone and telegraph lines is to be reported in classification 0509-03. If a specialty contractor is only stringing telephone or telegraph lines, and not erecting poles or towers, classification 0509-00 is still applicable.

Applies to contractors engaged in the construction, maintenance or repair of overhead television lines, poles and towers. Work contemplated by this classification includes, but is not limited to, clearing a right of way (excluding logging-type operations), boring holes for poles to be set in, installing cross arms, insulators and brackets on poles (which may be wood or metal), setting poles or towers into position, installing guy wires if necessary, stringing the lines, incidental tree topping, tying into the low-voltage power source, and making service connections when done by employees of an employer having operations subject to this classification. Towers may be of a solid wall, cylindrical steel construction or of a fabricated steel cross member design reaching a height of about 50 feet, and are secured to a concrete pad or set into the ground. They may be used to elevate the lines over long distances or to support microwave antennae or receivers.

This classification excludes specialty contractors engaged in any single phase of the work described above: Land clearing and grading operations which are to be reported separately in classification 0101; erection of poles or towers which is to be reported separately in classification 0508; drilling holes which is to be reported separately in classification 0103; tree topping which is to be reported separately in classification ((0101)) 0106; service connections which are to be reported separately in classification 0601; underground television line installation which is to be reported separately in classification 0107; and the felling of timber which is to be reported separately in the applicable logging classification.

Special note: If done by a cable television company the work described above is included in classification 1305. A contractor engaged in the installation of overhead electric and/or telephone or telegraph lines in addition to overhead television lines is to be reported in classification 0509-03. If a specialty contractor is only stringing overhead television lines, and not erecting poles or towers, classification 0509-01 is still applicable.

Applies to contractors engaged in the construction, maintenance or repair of overhead electric transmission lines, poles and towers. Work contemplated by this classification includes, but is not limited to, clearing a right of way (excluding logging-type operations), boring holes for poles to be set in, installing cross arms, insulators and brackets on poles (which may be wood or metal), setting poles or towers into position, installing guy wires if necessary, stringing the lines, installing circuit breakers and transformers, incidental tree topping, tying into the high-voltage power source, and making service connections when done by employees of an employer having operations subject to this classification. Towers may be of a solid wall, cylindrical steel construction or of a fabricated steel cross member design reaching a height of about 50 feet, and are secured to a concrete pad or set into the ground. They may be used to elevate the lines over long distances or to support electric power distribution apparatus.

This classification excludes specialty contractors engaged in any single phase of the work described above: Land clearing and grading operations which are to be reported separately in classification 0101; erection of poles or towers which is to be reported separately in classification 0508; drilling holes which is to be reported separately in classification 0103; tree topping which is to be reported separately in classification ((0101)) 0106; underground electric line installation which is to be reported separately in classification 0107; and the felling of timber which is to be reported separately in the applicable logging classification.

Special note: If done by an electric power company the work described above is included in classification 1301. A contractor engaged in the installation of overhead telephone or telegraph lines and/or television lines in addition to overhead electric lines is to be reported in classification 0509-03. If a specialty contractor is only stringing overhead electric lines, and not erecting poles or towers, classification 0509-02 is still applicable.

Applies to contractors engaged in the construction, maintenance or repair of more than one type of overhead transmission line, including poles and towers which are not covered by another classification (N.O.C.). If the contractor specializes in either telephone, telegraph, television or electric lines, they can be specifically defined elsewhere within classification 0509. Work contemplated by this classification includes, but is not limited to, clearing a right of way (excluding logging-type operations), boring holes for poles to be set in, installing cross arms, insulators and brackets on poles (which may be wood or metal), setting poles or towers into position, installing guy wires if necessary, stringing the lines, incidental tree topping, installing circuit breakers and transformers, tying into the power source, and making service connections when done by employees of an employer having operations subject to this classification. Towers may be of a solid wall cylindrical steel construction or of a fabricated steel cross member design reaching a height of about 50 feet, and are secured to a concrete pad or set into the ground. They may be used to elevate the lines over long distances or to support microwave antennae, receivers or electric power distribution apparatus.

This classification excludes specialty contractors engaged in any single phase of the work described above: Land clearing and grading operations which are to be reported separately in classification 0101; erection of poles or towers which is to be reported separately in classification 0508; drilling holes which is to be reported separately in classification 0103; tree topping which is to be reported separately in classification ((0101)) 0106; service connections for cable television lines which is to be reported separately in classification 0601; underground line installation which is to be reported separately in classification 0107; and the felling of timber which is to be reported separately in the applicable logging classification.

Special note: If done by a telephone or telegraph company, the work described above is included in classification 1303; if done by a cable television company it is included in classification 1305; if done by an electric utility company it is included in classification 1301. If a specialty contractor is only stringing a combination of types of overhead lines, and not erecting poles or towers, classification 0509-03 is still applicable.

Applies to establishments engaged in providing chemical spraying and fumigating services only to established residential landscaping and commercial properties. Work contemplated by this classification includes, but is not limited to, the application of various liquid and granular chemicals (fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides, insecticides, iron, nitrogen, slow release food stakes) for use on grass, plants, shrubs, flowers, trees, moss, ivy or weeds. Employees of establishments subject to this classification arrive at the location site in a tank truck equipped with a premixed solution that is dispensed with a spray hose, or by fertilizer spreaders, injection guns, and back pack dispensers.

This classification excludes chemical spraying of roadway median strips by nonmunicipal employees adjacent to state, city or town roadways which is to be reported separately in classification 0101; chemical spraying done in connection with forest roads or reforestation projects which is to be reported in the applicable forestry classification; pest and termite control which is to be reported separately in classification 6602; chemical spraying and fumigating by employees of cities, counties, state agencies, or other municipalities which is to be reported in the classification applicable to the type of municipality performing the work; chemical spraying of agricultural farms or orchards which may be reported separately in classification 4808 or in the agricultural classification applicable to the employer's operation; and crop dusting by aircraft which is to be reported separately in classification 6903.

Applies to contractors engaged in maintenance of established lawns and gardens. Work contemplated by this classification includes, but is not limited to, mowing and thatching lawns, edging, weeding flower beds, raking, rototilling gardens, application of fertilizers, and spraying and trimming of shrubs. Also included is minor landscape renovation and/or restoration activities incidental to, and performed as part of, the lawn care maintenance contract for an existing lawn or landscape such as the removal and replacement of plants, turf repair or reseeding of grass, and the spreading of decorative rock, topsoil, or bark. This classification includes replacement of sprinkler heads and cleaning of lawn type sprinkler systems only when performed in connection with and incidental to the lawn care maintenance contract. Contractors who provide snow blowing and snow removal services using hand-held or push-propelled equipment are included in this classification. Equipment used by contractors subject to this classification includes, but is not limited to, riding or power lawn mowers, power sweepers, edgers, thatchers, weed eaters, grass blowers, fertilizer spreaders, sprayers, gas or electric power tools, and hand tools.

This classification excludes new landscape construction which is to be reported separately in classification 0301; tree care and pruning services which are to be reported separately in classification ((0101)) 0106; grading, clearing, or contouring of land which is to be reported separately in classification 0101; installation, service or repair of lawn type sprinkler systems which is to be reported separately in classification 0301; the installation, service or repair of above or below ground agricultural irrigation systems which is to be reported separately in classification 0301; the installation or on-site maintenance of roofing materials composed of impermeable barriers, sod, soil, and plants, sometimes termed landscape roofing, living roofing, garden roofing, green/environmentally beneficial roofing, brown/biodiverse roofing, or vegetative roofing, which is to be reported in classification 0507; any installation or maintenance of a landscape roofing irrigation system, which is reported in classification 0507.

Special notes: Classifications 0308 and 0301 may be assigned to the same business provided that the conditions of the general reporting rule covering the operation of a secondary business have been met.

Care should be exercised in the assignment of this classification when tree services are included. Tree care service contracts generally call for the radical topping, pruning or cutting of tree limbs to remove or eliminate a hazard to buildings, property, or power lines. Tree trimming as part of this classification is only for the purpose of shaping and maintaining healthy trees and to control size for the visual relationship to other landscape material.