Caisson Work workers comp rate in Washington
The filed workers comp rate for class code 6206 (Caisson Work) in Washington is $0.652 per $100 of payroll. On $500,000 of payroll, that is roughly $3,262 in base premium.
Workers comp rules in Washington affecting code 6206
Washington uses Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) for workers comp rate setting. Coverage is mandatory once an employer crosses the threshold of All employers with one or more employees must provide workers' compensation coverage.. The state operates a monopolistic fund (Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I)), so private carriers cannot write primary workers comp here.
Subcontractor coverage in Washington
General contractors are generally responsible for ensuring subcontractors carry workers' compensation coverage; otherwise, the general contractor may be liable for injuries to the subcontractor's employees.
Owner-exclusion rules for code 6206
Washingtonallows business owners to file an election excluding themselves from workers comp coverage. Excluding $80,000 of owner payroll at $0.652 saves $522 per year.
1099 contractor handling
Washington has strict criteria for independent contractor status; workers are presumed employees unless specific conditions are met, making misclassification a significant risk.
Penalty for failing to carry coverage
Employers failing to provide coverage face fines, penalties, and potential criminal charges, and are personally liable for injured workers' benefits.
Audit window after policy expiration
After your policy expires, Washington's rating authority allows L&I can audit at any time to verify payroll and classification. for a premium audit. Code 6206 payroll discovered late can result in additional premium owed. Maintain segregated payroll records for at least the audit window plus one year.
Ways to lower your premium for code 6206 in Washington
Most employers paying for code 6206 could reduce annual premium by 10-30% by applying one or more of the levers below. Each is grounded in Washington-specific rules where applicable.
- Experience modifier (EMR): A 0.85 EMR (well-managed) cuts $0.652 to $0.555 per $100, saving roughly $489 on a $500K payroll. A 1.25 EMR (loss-burdened) inflates it to $0.816. Build a lower EMR by reducing claim frequency (every claim hurts the modifier even if dollar cost is small).
- Deductible plans: Per-claim or aggregate deductibles ($1K-$10K typical) cut premium 5-15%. Best fit when historical claim count is low.
- Reclassify payroll: Code 6206 may be applied too broadly. If a portion of payroll is genuinely clerical and properly segregated, that portion can be reported as code 8810 (clerical) at $0.10-$0.30 per $100.
- PEO or staff leasing: A Professional Employer Organization can pool your code-6206 payroll with similar businesses in Washington, often securing better blended rates than your standalone EMR can achieve.
- Dividend or retro plans: Some carriers offer participating policies that return a dividend if your loss ratio stays below a target. Best for employers with predictably good loss experience.
- Wrap-up policy for projects: For larger code-6206 operations (especially construction), an OCIP or CCIP wrap can consolidate coverage at lower aggregate cost.
Common claim drivers in construction affecting code 6206
Rate filings for code 6206 reflect what actually drives claim cost for this occupation across NCCI's national experience and Washington's state-specific loss data. The largest drivers behind the $0.652 rate are typically:
- Falls from elevation. OSHA cites falls as the leading construction injury cause; typically 25-35% of code-rate cost.
- Struck-by / caught-between. Vehicle, equipment, and falling-object injuries account for 15-20% of construction claims.
- Cumulative trauma. Back and shoulder injuries from repetitive lifting and overhead work drive long-tail claim costs.
Targeting these in your safety program produces the largest EMR improvement. Most claim-frequency reductions come from controls on the top two drivers above; severity reductions require return-to-work programs and aggressive medical management.
FAQ
What is the workers comp rate for code 6206 in Washington?
The filed workers comp loss cost or rate for NCCI class code 6206 in Washington is $0.652 per $100 of payroll.
How much would I pay on $500,000 payroll?
At $0.652 per $100, $500,000 yields a base premium of $3,262 before EMR and schedule credits. With an EMR of 0.85, effective rate is $0.555; with 1.25, it is $0.816.
Where else can I see code 6206?
UT has the cheapest filed rate ($0.370) and IL the highest ($5.47). Washington sits at the 11th percentile across 19 peer states.
Can I buy code 6206 coverage from any carrier in Washington?
No. Washington is a monopolistic-fund state, meaning workers comp must be purchased through Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I). Private carriers cannot write primary workers comp.
Can I exclude myself from code 6206 coverage in Washington?
Yes. Washington allows business owners to file an election excluding themselves from workers comp coverage on their own payroll.