What Class Code 5022 Covers
Class code 5022 covers masonry construction including concrete masonry unit (CMU) block laying, brick masonry, stone setting, brick veneer installation on commercial and residential structures, mortar work, and tuckpointing. The classification applies to both structural masonry — load-bearing CMU walls in commercial buildings — and decorative masonry such as brick veneers, stone facades, and masonry fireplaces.
Masonry work on both commercial and residential projects falls under 5022. A mason building a CMU block wall for a commercial warehouse and a mason installing brick veneer on a custom home are both properly classified under this code. The residential versus commercial distinction that matters in carpentry (5645 vs 5403) does not apply in the same way for masonry — 5022 is the governing code regardless of project type for standard masonry work.
Concrete foundation work is specifically excluded from 5022 and falls under 5509 (Concrete Construction). The practical boundary is that masonry typically involves discrete units (blocks, bricks, stones) set in mortar, while concrete work involves poured and formed concrete. Tuckpointing — removing and replacing deteriorated mortar from existing masonry — is included under 5022.
Who This Code Applies To
Journeyman masons, bricklayers, blocklayers, and stone setters are the primary workforce covered under 5022. Apprentice masons working under journeyman supervision are also covered. Masonry tenders — workers who mix and deliver mortar to the masons, handle material staging, and assist with block setting — are covered under 5022 as well, since their work is integral to the masonry operation and they share the same physical workplace.
Working masonry forepersons — those who spend the majority of their work time performing masonry operations alongside their crew — are classified under 5022. Non-working superintendents who supervise masonry operations without performing physical masonry work may qualify for a separate supervisory classification, though this separation requires documentation and carrier approval.
Rate Calculation Example
At the WCIRB advisory rate of $9.52 per $100 of payroll, a masonry contractor with $600,000 in annual payroll faces an estimated gross premium of approximately $57,120 before carrier LCM. This reflects the significant physical demands and elevation exposure inherent in commercial masonry operations.
Prevailing wage masonry work — a common occurrence on public works projects in California — typically involves higher hourly wages, which increases payroll and therefore premium. A masonry contractor whose crews work exclusively on prevailing wage public works projects with $800,000 in payroll faces an estimated gross premium of approximately $76,160. Payroll verification at audit is particularly thorough for prevailing wage accounts because carriers know the hourly rates are higher than market.
Common Misclassifications
The masonry versus tile distinction is important and frequently misapplied. Ceramic tile, porcelain tile, and glass tile installation is classified under 9521 (Tile Work), not 5022. Stone tile installation in a bathroom or kitchen — even though stone is a masonry material — is generally classified under 9521 when it involves finish tile work rather than structural stone setting. Contractors who perform both masonry block or brick work and interior tile work should discuss payroll splitting with their broker.
Foundation work versus above-grade masonry is another boundary that creates misclassification risk. Concrete block foundations poured below grade and forming a structural foundation may be classified under 5509 rather than 5022, depending on the nature of the work. Carriers and WCIRB classification staff draw this distinction based on whether the work involves masonry units set in mortar (5022) or primarily poured concrete forming work (5509).
Stone veneer installation is sometimes misclassified under a decorative or finish carpentry code. Cultured stone veneer, natural stone veneer, and similar products applied to exterior wall surfaces using mortar and bonding agents are masonry work, properly classified under 5022.
Underwriting Considerations
Scaffold safety documentation is the primary underwriting focus for masonry accounts. Commercial masonry work routinely requires scaffold at heights of 10-30 feet for block wall construction and brick veneer installation. Carriers underwriting masonry expect to see documented scaffold erection and inspection procedures, trained scaffold crews or use of scaffolding subcontractors with their own WC coverage, and compliance with Cal-OSHA Title 8 scaffold safety regulations.
Heavy lifting program documentation is important given the weight of masonry materials. Standard concrete masonry units (CMUs) weigh 28-35 lbs per block. Heavy-weight CMUs used in some commercial applications can reach 55-80 lbs each. Carrying and setting these materials repeatedly throughout a work shift creates substantial cumulative musculoskeletal exposure. Carriers underwriting masonry appreciate accounts that have invested in mechanical material handling — forklifts, telehandlers, and mast-climbing work platforms reduce the manual handling burden significantly.
Prevailing wage masonry accounts on public works projects generally receive favorable underwriting treatment. Prevailing wage work implies union or union-equivalent training, higher wages that attract more experienced workers, and formal safety programs that are often required by the public contracting entity. California Division of Industrial Relations (DIR) registration for public works projects is a standard underwriting inquiry for masonry contractors working on public jobs.
Common Injury Types
Musculoskeletal injuries from heavy block carrying and repetitive mortar work are the most frequent claim type for masonry workers. The combination of heavy individual lifts (setting CMU blocks), awkward postures (reaching and placing blocks at varying heights), and repetitive motion (the rhythm of setting course after course of block) creates cumulative strain on the spine, shoulders, and upper extremities. Back injuries — lumbar disc herniations from heavy lifting — are the most common severe claim in this classification.
Scaffold falls represent the highest severity injury potential for masonry contractors. A fall from scaffold at 15-20 feet carrying a masonry unit or a mortar board produces an extremely high injury severity. The WCIRB rate for 5022 reflects this fall exposure. Guardrail systems on scaffold, proper planking, and fall protection for any scaffold work above the scaffold deck are all important fall prevention measures.
Hand and finger injuries from masonry block placement — pinch points between blocks, crushed fingers from shifting or dropped blocks, and cuts from brick edges — are a consistent source of claims. Mortar contact produces chemical burns to skin and eyes, particularly when workers handle wet mortar without adequate gloves and the mortar contacts skin under PPE. Mortar burns can be severe and slow to heal due to the caustic nature of Portland cement.
Risk Mitigation
Mechanical material handling investment is the highest-leverage risk mitigation strategy for masonry contractors. A telehandler that delivers pallets of block directly to the scaffold level eliminates the need for manual block carrying up to the work level. Mast-climbing work platforms with integrated material shelving keep block and mortar at the masons' working height without manual lifting from ground level. The capital cost of this equipment is often recoverable through reduced WC claims and improved production efficiency.
Scaffold erection by a qualified scaffold crew — or using a specialized scaffolding subcontractor — with documented inspection before each working day is both a Cal-OSHA requirement and an important underwriting signal. Carriers view homegrown scaffold erection by masons without formal scaffold training much less favorably than documented erection by trained scaffold specialists or a scaffold rental company that provides erection service.
Glove and eye protection enforcement specifically for mortar contact is a high-impact, low-cost intervention. Nitrile or neoprene gloves that are impervious to mortar should be provided to all workers handling wet mortar and concrete. Eye wash stations accessible on the project site address the emergency response need when mortar contact with eyes occurs. Morning toolbox talks during active mortar work periods that include a reminder about glove and eye protection compliance maintain awareness throughout the project.
Best Carriers for Class Code 5022
ICW Group is among the most active and competitive admitted carriers for California masonry accounts, with experienced construction underwriters who understand prevailing wage masonry operations. The Hartford writes masonry accounts and is particularly competitive for larger contractors with formal safety programs. Liberty Mutual has appetite for commercial masonry contractors, especially those with union agreements and formal apprenticeship programs through the masonry union.
State Fund remains available for masonry accounts that face market restrictions due to loss history or other underwriting concerns. For very large commercial masonry contractors with revenue exceeding $5 million, wrap-up insurance programs (OCIP or CCIP) on specific commercial projects may provide WC coverage for that project's workers separate from the contractor's standard policy — a structure worth discussing with your broker on large commercial bids.