Class Code 8042
Stores – Floor Covering
WCIRB Class Code 8042 covers retail stores that sell floor covering products such as carpet, hardwood, tile, vinyl and related supplies. For California employers this classification matters because the approved pure premium rate for Sept 1, 2026 is $2.889 per $100 of payroll, which is the baseline used to price workers' compensation exposure for store operations.
What Class Code 8042 Covers
This classification applies to showroom and store operations where primary activities are retail sales, customer consultations, stocking, sample cutting and light in-store handling of flooring materials. Typical tasks include measuring and cutting carpet or vinyl samples, preparing orders for customer pickup or local delivery, stocking rolls and boxes in a stockroom, demonstrating samples on display floors, and operating hand trucks or pallet jacks inside the store. It does not generally apply to independent contractor installation crews or full-scale fabrication shops; businesses that perform significant on-site installation, heavy fabrication, or contractor-style work may need a different classification. If a store maintains an in-house installation crew employed directly by the retailer, that payroll should be reported separately and the employer should confirm the correct installation class code with its carrier or PEO.
Who It Applies To
- Retail floor covering store owners and operators
- Showroom sales associates and estimators who measure and advise customers
- Stockroom clerks and warehouse employees who handle rolls and boxed goods
- In-house delivery drivers using light trucks for local deliveries
- Counter staff who cut samples and prepare orders
- Store managers who perform or supervise floor-level work
Common Job Duties
- Measuring rooms and flooring, cutting carpet or vinyl samples with utility knives
- Lifting, rolling and staging heavy carpet rolls and boxes of tile or planks
- Loading and unloading local delivery trucks or staging customer pickups
- Operating hand trucks, pallet jacks and occasionally powered pallet movers
- Setting up showroom displays, laying out samples and demo areas
- Mixing or handling adhesives, solvents and cleaning agents for sample prep
Common Injury Risks
Understanding the $2.889 Rate
The pure premium rate of $2.889 per $100 of payroll is the WCIRB-approved estimate of expected claim costs for this classification. To calculate the pure premium, multiply payroll (in hundreds) by $2.889 — for example, $50,000 payroll produces $1,444.50 in pure premium. The actual premium you pay will be higher or lower after applying your insurer's expense loads, state assessments, experience modification factor, credits/discounts, policy deductibles, and any PEO or program fees.
Cal/OSHA Compliance Requirements
California employers with Class 8042 operations must maintain an effective Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP) and comply with Hazard Communication (HazCom) requirements for adhesives and solvents; see Title 8 provisions including section 3203 (IIPP) and 5194 (HazCom). If the store uses powered industrial trucks or forklifts, operators must be trained and certified per Cal/OSHA powered industrial truck rules. Additional requirements such as ladder safety, respirator programs (if airborne hazards exist), and heat illness prevention for outdoor delivery/installation activities may also apply.
How Key HR Helps Employers Under Class Code 8042
A PEO like Key HR helps retailers in this classification by ensuring payroll is accurately allocated to Class 8042, managing claims quickly to limit medical costs and indemnity exposure, and delivering targeted loss-prevention programs (manual handling training, Safe Lifting, HazCom and cutting-tool safety). Key HR also handles experience modification monitoring, centralized claims advocacy, and return-to-work programs that reduce lost-time claims and lower long-term costs.
Get a QuoteFrequently Asked Questions
Does Class Code 8042 cover installation crews sent to customer homes?
No. 8042 is for retail store and showroom operations. Installation work done in customer homes or job sites is typically classified under separate installer or contracting codes; if your employees perform both retail and installation duties, report payroll separately and confirm classifications with your carrier or PEO.
Are delivery drivers for local store deliveries included in 8042?
Local deliveries made by store employees using light commercial vehicles are commonly included under 8042, but long-haul trucking, third-party carriers, or a separate delivery business will require different classifications. Ensure driving exposure, vehicle weight and delivery scope are disclosed to avoid misclassification.
What practical steps reduce my workers' comp cost for a floor covering store?
Accurate payroll reporting, a documented IIPP, hands-on manual handling and cutting-tool training, use of mechanical aids (pallet jacks, roll-handlers), prompt OSHA-compliant reporting and early return-to-work programs all reduce claim frequency and severity. Partnering with a PEO for proactive safety audits and aggressive claims management also lowers premium over time.
Quick Facts
- Class Code
- 8042
- Classification
- Stores – Floor Covering
- Pure Premium Rate
- $2.889 / $100 payroll
- Effective Date
- September 1, 2026
- Source
- WCIRB Approved Filing
Manage Workers' Comp Through a PEO
Key HR provides pay-as-you-go workers' comp for California employers — no large deposits, no audits, better rates.
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