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Tree Operations: How Classifications 0106 and 0042 Apply

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Tree Operations: How Classifications 0106 and 0042 Apply

February 19, 2020

The Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau of California (WCIRB) receives many questions about classifying tree removal and tree trimming operations. The two classifications that most often apply are 0106, Tree Pruning, Repairing or Trimming, and 0042, Landscape Gardening. The WCIRB has fielded questions such as:  

  • Can tree removal be assigned to Classification 0042 if all operations are performed from ground level?
  • When is tree trimming assignable to Classification 0042?
  • Can the ground crews on tree trimming jobs be assigned to Classification 0042 when the tree trimmers who climb trees or use ladders or lifts are assigned to Classification 0106?

Tree Removal

The answer to the first question is tree removal cannot be assigned to Classification 0042, regardless of whether or not operations are performed from ground level. Classification 0106 applies to tree removal, as it states, “[t]his classification also applies to the removal of trees that retain no timber value.” Classification 0106 also specifically states that it includes ground crews.

Tree Trimming

Classification 0106 applies to tree trimming with one exception. Classification 0106 states, “[p]runing, repairing or trimming when none of the operations at a particular job or location require elevation, including but not limited to using ladders, lifts or by climbing shall be separately classified as 0042, Landscape Gardening.” Similarly, Classification 0042 states that it applies to “[p]runing, repairing or trimming trees or hedges when none of the operations at a particular job or location require elevation, including but not limited to using ladders, lifts or by climbing….” It’s very important to note that these instructions regarding the potential assignment of Classification 0042 apply to tree trimming and not tree removal.

Finally, ground crews on tree trimming jobs cannot be assigned to Classification 0042 when the tree trimmers are assigned to Classification 0106 due to elevation; the ground crews are assignable to Classification 0042 only when none of the tree trimming operations at a particular job or location require elevation.

Classification 0106 appears in the California Workers' Compensation Uniform Statistical Reporting Plan—1995 (USRP) as follows:

TREE PRUNING, REPAIRING OR TRIMMING – N.O.C. – hand or mechanical power – including ground crews and shop, yard or storage operations

0106

This classification applies to pruning, repairing or trimming trees or hedges when any portion of the operations requires elevation, including but not limited to using ladders, lifts or by climbing. This classification includes clean-up, chipping or removal of debris; stump grinding or removal; and tree spraying or fumigating that are performed in connection with tree pruning, repairing or trimming. This classification also applies to the removal of trees that retain no timber value.

 

Commercial timber harvesting shall be classified as 2702(1), Logging.

 

Land clearing, including the removal of trees in connection therewith, shall be classified as 2702(2), Land Clearing.

 

Stump grinding performed for other concerns on a fee basis and not in connection with tree pruning, repairing or trimming at a particular job or location shall be classified as 3724(1), Millwright Work.

 

Pruning, repairing or trimming when none of the operations at a particular job or location require elevation, including but not limited to using ladders, lifts or by climbing shall be separately classified as 0042, Landscape Gardening.

 

Classification 0042 is shown below:

LANDSCAPE GARDENING – including maintenance of gardens

0042

This classification applies to the construction, maintenance, repair or installation of landscape systems or facilities designed for public or private gardens or other areas in order to aesthetically, architecturally, horticulturally or functionally improve the grounds within or surrounding a structure or a tract or plot of land. This classification includes the preparation and grading of plots or areas of land for the installation of landscaping; pruning, repairing or trimming trees or hedges when none of the operations at a particular job or location require elevation, including but not limited to using ladders, lifts or by climbing; or chipping operations performed in connection with landscape gardening. This classification also applies to spraying or spreading lawn fertilizers or herbicides, or weed abatement for fire hazard control purposes not in connection with land clearing.

 

When performed by the same employer that is primarily (over 50% of employee time) engaged in landscape work at a particular job or location, this classification also applies to the construction or installation of hardscape features, including but not limited to fountains, statuary, monuments, decorative pools, garden furniture, garden accent lighting and drainage or sprinkler systems.

 

This classification also applies to reforestation operations to plant new trees or timber growth management operations to control or remove brush or overgrowth when performed for other concerns on a fee basis and not in connection with logging operations performed by the same employer. Reforestation or timber growth management operations when performed in connection with logging operations by the same employer shall be classified as 2702(1), Logging.

 

Pruning, repairing or trimming trees or hedges, including ground crew operations, when any portion of the operations at a particular job or location requires elevation, including but not limited to using ladders, lifts or by climbing, shall be separately classified as 0106, Tree Pruning, Repairing or Trimming.

 

Excavating, transporting and transplanting trees using mobile cranes shall be separately classified as 7219(3), Mobile Crane and Hoisting Service Contractors.

 

The clearing of land to create firebreaks through the removal of trees, brush or vegetation shall be classified as 2702(2), Land Clearing – all operations.