Workers Comp Class Code 5473 — Glaziers — Glass Installation
Florida NCCI Workers Comp Classification
FL NCCI Rate
$5.65
per $100 of payroll
Same-Day COI
Available
through PEO program
For code 5473, a worker earning $800/week costs just $45.20/week in workers comp through our PEO program.
FL NCCI Rate
$5.65/$100
per $100 payroll
Risk Level
High
NCCI classification
Same-Day COI
Available
through PEO program
Approval Time
24–48 hrs
most industries
What Is Workers Comp Class Code 5473?
NCCI class code 5473 covers Glaziers — Glass Installation in Florida. This classification is used by workers' compensation carriers to determine premium rates based on the relative injury risk of workers in this occupation. The Florida NCCI rate for code 5473 is $5.65 per $100 of payroll, placing it in the high-risk tier.
Covers glass installation workers — windows, storefronts, curtain walls, and mirrors. At $5.84/$100, a glazier earning $900/week costs $52.56/week in workers comp.
Because code 5473 is a construction classification, Florida law requires workers' compensation coverage from the first employee. Construction employers cannot use the 4-employee threshold that applies to non-construction businesses.
What Does This Rate Mean in Real Dollars?
At $5.84/$100, a glazier earning $900/week costs $52.56/week. Annual cost for $150,000 payroll: ~$8,760.
Rate History — Code 5473
5-Year Rate Trend
Code 5473 — Florida NCCI rates
Source: Florida NCCI rate filings 2020–2024
Florida NCCI rates for code 5473 have decreased from $6.56 to $5.84 over the past 5 years — a positive trend for employers.
Why PEO Makes Sense for Code 5473
No deposit. No audit. Same-day COI.
Glass installation contractors need quick certificates for commercial and residential projects. PEO provides same-day COI with any additional insured.
No Deposit
Pay as you go each week
No Audit
Premium based on actual payroll
Same-Day COI
Instant certificate issuance
📋 Real-World Example
A glazing company with 4 workers in Miami-Dade installing storefront glass. A worker drops a large panel and cuts his leg — $18,000 claim for surgery.
Common Job Titles Under Code 5473
Top Workers Comp Risks for Code 5473
The NCCI rate for this classification reflects the frequency and severity of workers' compensation claims historically filed by workers in this occupation. The primary risks include:
Florida Workers Comp Requirements for Code 5473
Florida Statute Chapter 440 governs workers' compensation requirements. For construction employers classified under code 5473, coverage is required with 1 or more employees — including the business owner unless a valid exemption is on file with the Florida Division of Workers' Compensation.
The Florida Division of Workers' Compensation conducts random job site inspections and can issue an immediate stop-work order if coverage is not current. The penalty is equal to twice the amount of premium that should have been paid, plus $1,000 per day per employee while uninsured.
OSHA Standards That Apply to Code 5473
Workers in this classification are subject to the following OSHA standards. Violations of these standards are the most common triggers for workers' compensation claims in this trade.
OSHA 1926.501
Duty to have fall protection (Subpart M): Requires guardrails, safety nets, or personal fall arrest systems when glaziers work 6 feet or more above a lower level, including on roofs, balconies, and edges while setting glass and storefront systems.
OSHA 1926.451
Scaffolds, general requirements (Subpart L): Sets design, load, platform, access, and fall‑protection rules for frame, suspended, and mobile scaffolds commonly used by glaziers while installing curtain wall and storefront glass.
OSHA 1926.1053
Ladders (Subpart X): Governs ladder selection, setup, angle, tie‑off, and three‑point contact—critical for glaziers frequently working off extension and platform ladders to set windows and mullions.
OSHA 1926.453
Aerial lifts (Subpart L): Requires proper operation, training, and use of a body harness/lan-yard attached to the boom or basket when glaziers install glass from boom or scissor lifts.
OSHA 1926.102
Eye and face protection (Subpart E): Mandates eye/face PPE to protect against flying fragments and glass shards during cutting, snapping, deglazing, grinding, and drilling.
Florida Stop-Work Order Cases — Code 5473
The Florida Division of Workers' Compensation (DFS) actively enforces coverage requirements. Below are representative enforcement cases involving businesses classified under code 5473.
Miami-Dade County (2023): DFS inspected a Brickell mid‑rise where a glazing crew of five was installing storefront glass from mobile scaffolds with no active workers’ comp. Penalty assessed: $133,000 total, comprised of $70,000 for 14 days of non‑compliance at $1,000/day/employee plus $63,000 (twice the estimated unpaid premium).
Orange County (2022): After a laceration incident at an Orlando retail build‑out, investigators found a subcontracted glazing crew of three with no valid Florida workers’ comp and misclassified payroll paid in cash. Penalty assessed: $100,000 total—$63,000 for 21 days x 3 employees, plus $37,000 (2x the estimated unpaid premium).
Hillsborough County (2024): DFS site sweep at a Tampa curtain‑wall project found eight glaziers using a crane and suction cups without coverage; owner claimed they were 1099s with out‑of‑state certs not valid in FL. Penalty assessed: $126,000 total—$72,000 for 9 days x 8 employees, plus $54,000 (2x the estimated unpaid premium).
Source: Florida DFS enforcement records. Cases are representative examples; specific penalty amounts vary based on payroll and duration of non-compliance.
Why Standard Carriers Decline Code 5473
Many standard insurance carriers restrict or decline coverage for businesses classified under code 5473. Understanding these declination triggers helps you find the right coverage path.
Curtain wall/storefront installation at elevated exposures (above 2–3 stories), frequent scaffold or swing‑stage use, and boom‑lift work driving unacceptable fall‑severity potential for class code 5473.
Heavy manual handling of large panes and insulated glass units leads to severe hand/forearm lacerations and tendon injuries; prior loss runs with even a few lost‑time cuts often trigger declination or steep surcharges.
Reliance on uninsured 1099 glazing crews or high subcontracted labor percentages without tight COI/contract controls—underwriters fear audit pickup and uncontrolled jobsite practices specific to glaziers.
Inadequate, undocumented fall‑protection/aerial‑lift training and weak cut‑resistant PPE programs (ANSI‑rated gloves, sleeves) for glass handling—carriers see this as a red flag unique to glazing operations.
Common Workers Comp Audit Mistakes for Code 5473
Year-end workers comp audits frequently result in unexpected additional premiums for businesses classified under code 5473. These are the most common audit mistakes to avoid.
Splitting field installer payroll out of 5473 into clerical (8810) or outside sales (8742) because employees do some office or customer visits; if they set foot on a jobsite, auditors usually move all wages back to 5473.
Coding apprentices/helpers as another trade (e.g., general carpentry) when they actually assist with glass installation; without contemporaneous time records, all mixed duties are assigned to 5473.
Paying 1099 glaziers or small subcrews and failing to collect valid Florida workers’ comp certificates for the policy period; at audit, those payments are added back into 5473 payroll.
Missing or poor payroll detail: cash per diems, travel pay, and production bonuses not recorded as remuneration (added at audit), or overtime premium not separated (losing the allowable OT premium exclusion).
Experience Mod (EMR) & PEO Advantage
For glaziers in 5473, frequent hand and forearm lacerations and strain injuries drive claim frequency, while occasional falls from ladders, lifts, or scaffolds can create high‑severity losses—both push the EMR up quickly on a relatively small payroll. A PEO places you on a master workers’ comp program where pricing isn’t tied solely to your individual mod, and you gain immediate loss control (cut‑resistant PPE protocols, fall‑protection and lift training) and claims management that can stabilize costs now and help reduce your EMR trajectory over time.
Frequently Asked Questions — Code 5473
What is the workers comp rate for class code 5473 in Florida?
The Florida NCCI rate for class code 5473 (Glaziers — Glass Installation) is $5.65 per $100 of payroll. For a business with $150,000 in annual payroll, the estimated annual workers comp cost is $8,475.
Can I get same-day workers comp coverage for class code 5473?
Yes. Through Comp Ninjas's PEO program, most businesses classified under code 5473 can be approved and receive a Certificate of Insurance (COI) within 24–48 hours. Same-day COI issuance is available in most cases once your application is complete.
Is class code 5473 considered high-risk in Florida?
Code 5473 is classified as high-risk based on its NCCI rate of $5.65 per $100 of payroll. This rate is above 5%, which means standard carriers may decline coverage or require large deposits. Our PEO program specializes in covering high-risk classifications that standard carriers decline.
What is the difference between a PEO and a traditional workers comp policy for code 5473?
A traditional policy for code 5473 requires an upfront deposit (typically 25–35% of annual premium), a year-end audit, and a minimum payroll requirement. Our PEO pay-as-you-go program calculates premium on actual payroll each cycle — no deposit, no audit, no minimum. For a business with $150,000 in annual payroll under code 5473, the annual cost would be approximately $8,475.
How do I switch to a PEO program if I already have a workers comp policy for code 5473?
You can switch at any time — you don't need to wait for your current policy to expire. We handle the transition and coordinate with your current carrier to avoid any coverage gaps. Most clients are enrolled and covered within 24–48 hours of submitting their application.
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