Workers Comp Class Code 5446 — Wallboard Installation — Drywall
Florida NCCI Workers Comp Classification
FL NCCI Rate
$5.47
per $100 of payroll
Same-Day COI
Available
through PEO program
For code 5446, a worker earning $800/week costs just $43.76/week in workers comp through our PEO program.
FL NCCI Rate
$5.47/$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 5446?
NCCI class code 5446 covers Wallboard Installation — Drywall 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 5446 is $5.47 per $100 of payroll, placing it in the high-risk tier.
Covers drywall hangers and tapers. Florida's construction boom means drywall crews are in constant demand. At $5.47/$100, a drywaller earning $900/week costs $49.23/week in workers comp.
Because code 5446 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 $5.47/$100, a drywaller earning $900/week costs $49.23/week. Annual cost for $150,000 payroll: ~$8,205.
Rate History — Code 5446
5-Year Rate Trend
Code 5446 — Florida NCCI rates
Source: Florida NCCI rate filings 2020–2024
Florida NCCI rates for code 5446 have decreased from $6.04 to $5.47 over the past 5 years — a positive trend for employers.
Why PEO Makes Sense for Code 5446
No deposit. No audit. Same-day COI.
Drywall contractors frequently work as subs and need to provide certificates quickly. PEO issues same-day COI with any additional insured — no waiting for your agent.
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 drywall crew of 5 in Palm Beach County is hanging drywall in a 20-unit condo. A worker strains his back lifting a 4x12 sheet — $15,000 claim for treatment and lost wages.
Common Job Titles Under Code 5446
Top Workers Comp Risks for Code 5446
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 5446
Florida Statute Chapter 440 governs workers' compensation requirements. For construction employers classified under code 5446, 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 5446
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, access, guardrails, and load capacity for platforms used to hang ceilings and high wallboard; drywall crews often work from baker scaffolds or rolling towers that must meet these rules.
OSHA 1926.1053
Ladders: Covers ladder selection, angle, inspection, and use; drywall installers and tapers frequently work from step and extension ladders that must be secured and kept off the top step, with workers maintaining three points of contact.
OSHA 1926.501
Duty to Have Fall Protection: Requires fall protection at 6 feet or more around unprotected sides/edges and floor openings; drywall crews working near stairwells, balconies, and mezzanine edges must use guardrails, covers, or personal fall arrest systems.
OSHA 1926.1153
Respirable Crystalline Silica: Requires exposure assessment/control, a written exposure control plan, and housekeeping rules when tasks (e.g., cutting cementitious backer board or certain joint compounds that contain crystalline silica) can generate respirable silica dust; use of saws with water delivery or HEPA shrouds and tight-fitting respirators may be required.
OSHA 1910.1200
Hazard Communication: Requires SDS access, labeling, and employee training for materials like joint compounds, adhesives, and texture products; drywall contractors must keep SDS on-site and train workers on chemical hazards and PPE.
Florida Stop-Work Order Cases — Code 5446
The Florida Division of Workers' Compensation (DFS) actively enforces coverage requirements. Below are representative enforcement cases involving businesses classified under code 5446.
Miami-Dade County (2023): A residential drywall contractor in Hialeah ran a 7-person hanging/finishing crew with no workers’ comp while doing condo rehabs. DFS assessed $84,000 for 12 days of noncompliance ($1,000/day/employee) plus twice the estimated unpaid premium of $22,974 (based on ~$210,000 payroll at the 5446 rate), for a total penalty of $106,974.
Hillsborough County (2024): A Tampa commercial TI drywall outfit let its policy cancel mid-project and kept 11 installers on-site for 18 days. DFS hit them with $198,000 in daily penalties ($1,000/day/employee) plus twice the unpaid premium of $6,018 for the uncovered payroll, totaling $204,018.
Orange County (2022): A drywall subcontractor on an Orlando apartment build-out misrepresented operations and had no comp for 7 crew members, including sanders. After a site inspection, DFS assessed $42,000 for 6 days of noncompliance plus twice the unpaid premium of $19,692 (about $180,000 payroll at 5446), for a total of $61,692.
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 5446
Many standard insurance carriers restrict or decline coverage for businesses classified under code 5446. Understanding these declination triggers helps you find the right coverage path.
Frequent ladder/scaffold exposure and ceiling hangs drive high strain and fall frequency; carriers see 5446 shoulder/rotator cuff and overexertion claims as severe and recurring, pushing loss ratios above appetite.
Use of 1099/piece-rate crews and uninsured subs is common in drywall; without rock-solid COIs and subcontractor controls, carriers anticipate audit pickup payroll and uncontrolled claim leakage.
Silica controls missing: Many 5446 risks cut cement board or sand compounds without a written 1926.1153 silica plan, HEPA shrouds, or fit-tested respirators—an automatic decline or surcharge with several admitted markets.
Exterior gypsum sheathing and multi-story interiors increase height exposure (lifts, stair openings); new ventures or accounts with prior SWOs/lapses often get declined or offered only via high-debit assigned risk.
Common Workers Comp Audit Mistakes for Code 5446
Year-end workers comp audits frequently result in unexpected additional premiums for businesses classified under code 5446. These are the most common audit mistakes to avoid.
Not splitting payroll between 5446 drywall installation and 5445 metal stud framing when the same crew frames and hangs; without contemporaneous timecards, auditors assign all hours to 5446 at the higher exposure.
Booking tapers/finishers under 5474 (painting/wallcovering) to chase a lower rate; at audit, those hours are reclassified back to 5446 with retro premium due.
Missing or expired COIs for 1099 hangers, tapers, and sanding crews; carriers pick up those labor payments as 5446 payroll, including any cash/piece-rate paid out of job draws.
Failing to include taxable per diems, travel time, and production bonuses tied to board count; auditors add them as remuneration to 5446 payroll, creating unexpected additional premium.
Experience Mod (EMR) & PEO Advantage
EMR for 5446 is highly sensitive to strain/overexertion claims from overhead hanging and severe but less frequent ladder/scaffold falls—one shoulder surgery or fall with lost time can spike a small contractor’s mod well above 1.00. A PEO places you on a master workers’ comp policy (often rated on the PEO’s blended mod) and brings tighter claims triage, return‑to‑work, and jobsite safety support for ladders/scaffolds and silica controls, helping reduce claim frequency/severity and smoothing year‑to‑year premium swings.
Frequently Asked Questions — Code 5446
What is the workers comp rate for class code 5446 in Florida?
The Florida NCCI rate for class code 5446 (Wallboard Installation — Drywall) is $5.47 per $100 of payroll. For a business with $150,000 in annual payroll, the estimated annual workers comp cost is $8,205.
Can I get same-day workers comp coverage for class code 5446?
Yes. Through Comp Ninjas's PEO program, most businesses classified under code 5446 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 5446 considered high-risk in Florida?
Code 5446 is classified as high-risk based on its NCCI rate of $5.47 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 5446?
A traditional policy for code 5446 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 5446, the annual cost would be approximately $8,205.
How do I switch to a PEO program if I already have a workers comp policy for code 5446?
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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