Workers Comp Class Code 5443 — Lathing & Plastering
Florida NCCI Workers Comp Classification
FL NCCI Rate
$2.62
per $100 of payroll
Same-Day COI
Available
through PEO program
For code 5443, a worker earning $800/week costs just $20.92/week in workers comp through our PEO program.
FL NCCI Rate
$2.62/$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 5443?
NCCI class code 5443 covers Lathing & Plastering 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 5443 is $2.62 per $100 of payroll, placing it in the high-risk tier.
Covers lathers and plasterers applying stucco, EIFS, and traditional plaster finishes. Florida's stucco industry is massive — nearly every home exterior uses stucco. At $5.62/$100, a plasterer earning $900/week costs $50.58/week.
Because code 5443 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 $5.62/$100, a plasterer earning $900/week costs $50.58/week. Annual cost for $150,000 payroll: ~$8,430.
Rate History — Code 5443
5-Year Rate Trend
Code 5443 — Florida NCCI rates
Source: Florida NCCI rate filings 2020–2024
Florida NCCI rates for code 5443 have decreased from $6.34 to $5.62 over the past 5 years — a positive trend for employers.
Why PEO Makes Sense for Code 5443
No deposit. No audit. Same-day COI.
Stucco contractors in Florida are in high demand post-hurricane. Traditional carriers often require large deposits for this code. PEO provides pay-as-you-go coverage with same-day COI.
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 stucco crew of 4 in Broward County is applying exterior stucco on a new home. A worker falls off scaffolding and breaks his arm — $24,000 claim covered.
Common Job Titles Under Code 5443
Top Workers Comp Risks for Code 5443
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 5443
Florida Statute Chapter 440 governs workers' compensation requirements. For construction employers classified under code 5443, 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 5443
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 1926.451
Scaffolds: Requires proper erection, full planking, guardrails, safe access, and tie-ins for frame/pump-jack scaffolds used by lathers and plasterers working on exterior walls.
OSHA 1926.501
Duty to Have Fall Protection: Requires fall protection at 6 feet or more for open sides, edges, balconies, and when transitioning on/off scaffolds while installing lath or applying stucco.
OSHA 1926.1053
Ladders: Sets rules for portable ladder selection, angle, securing, and prohibits standing on the top step—critical for small patch/plaster work and access to scaffold decks.
OSHA 1926.1153
Respirable Crystalline Silica: Requires exposure control plans, Table 1 controls, wet methods, respirators (when needed), and medical surveillance for tasks like mixing sand/Portland cement stucco, chipping/cutting cured plaster.
OSHA 1910.1200
Hazard Communication: Requires SDS access, labeling, and employee training for Portland cement, lime, bonding agents, acrylic/EIFS coatings, and admixtures used in plaster/stucco work.
Florida Stop-Work Order Cases — Code 5443
The Florida Division of Workers' Compensation (DFS) actively enforces coverage requirements. Below are representative enforcement cases involving businesses classified under code 5443.
Hillsborough County (2024): DFS issued a stop‑work order to a stucco subcontractor on a 3‑story townhome project after finding 6 uninsured laborers working from pump‑jack scaffolds. Investigators documented 22 days of noncompliance and estimated $13,400 in unpaid premium; penalty assessed was $132,000 (1,000 x 22 x 6) plus $26,800 (2x unpaid premium) = $158,800.
Miami‑Dade County (2023): A lath & plaster crew on a mid‑rise apartment was cited during a sweep—9 field workers were on site with no active workers’ comp. Records showed 35 days out of compliance and $26,000 in unpaid premium; penalty totaled $315,000 (1,000 x 35 x 9) plus $52,000 (2x unpaid premium) = $367,000.
Orange County (2021): An EIFS/lathing subcontractor was misclassed as drywall and paying four “1099” helpers in cash without certificates. DFS determined 28 days of violation and $8,200 unpaid premium; penalty was $112,000 (1,000 x 28 x 4) plus $16,400 (2x unpaid premium) = $128,400.
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 5443
Many standard insurance carriers restrict or decline coverage for businesses classified under code 5443. Understanding these declination triggers helps you find the right coverage path.
Multi‑story exterior exposure with heavy scaffold/pump‑jack use drives severe fall claims for code 5443; many admitted carriers either decline outright or apply steep height and scaffold surcharges.
Silica exposure from mixing sand/Portland cement and chipping cured plaster triggers 1926.1153 compliance needs (exposure plan, respirators, medical surveillance); small plaster/stucco shops often lack documentation, causing declinations.
Frequent use of uninsured 1099 labor crews and labor brokers, plus difficulty obtaining valid subs’ certificates, creates uncontrolled payroll exposure—standard markets avoid 5443 accounts with this subcontractor profile.
Prior losses and enforcement history (falls, eye injuries, stop‑work orders) and high EMR are common in 5443; carriers restrict or surcharge when there’s inadequate written fall protection/scaffold programs and no competent‑person training records.
Common Workers Comp Audit Mistakes for Code 5443
Year-end workers comp audits frequently result in unexpected additional premiums for businesses classified under code 5443. These are the most common audit mistakes to avoid.
Treating working foremen and crew leads as exempt owners and not including their wages; in Florida, if officer/LLC member exclusions aren’t on file, that remuneration is added back at audit for 5443.
Splitting the same employees’ payroll between 5443 and cheaper classes like 5445 (drywall) or 5474 (painting) without contemporaneous time records—auditors assign all mixed duties to 5443 per NCCI, including lath hanging, scratch/brown coats, and EIFS base/finish.
Leaving out cash/piece‑rate pay, per‑diem and travel stipends for stucco crews; when not properly documented, auditors include these amounts as payroll to 5443, inflating premium.
Excluding setup tasks (scaffold erection, material hoisting, yard mixing/prep) from 5443 payroll; these activities are integral to lathing & plastering and are assigned to 5443 at audit.
Experience Mod (EMR) & PEO Advantage
Code 5443 sees costly losses from scaffold and ladder falls, eye/face injuries from cement, and strain claims from overhead troweling—so even one serious claim can push your EMR well above 1.00 and spike premiums at the $2.615 rate. A PEO pools your payroll with a larger book, smoothing out claim volatility and often accepting higher mods; they also bring scaffold/fall and silica compliance support and aggressive return‑to‑work to help drive your mod back down over time.
Frequently Asked Questions — Code 5443
What is the workers comp rate for class code 5443 in Florida?
The Florida NCCI rate for class code 5443 (Lathing & Plastering) is $2.62 per $100 of payroll. For a business with $150,000 in annual payroll, the estimated annual workers comp cost is $3,923.
Can I get same-day workers comp coverage for class code 5443?
Yes. Through Comp Ninjas's PEO program, most businesses classified under code 5443 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 5443 considered high-risk in Florida?
Code 5443 is classified as high-risk based on its NCCI rate of $2.62 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 5443?
A traditional policy for code 5443 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 5443, the annual cost would be approximately $3,923.
How do I switch to a PEO program if I already have a workers comp policy for code 5443?
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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