Class code 0170 — Florist

This classification covers florists who grow, arrange, and sell cut flowers, plants, and floral arrangements at a retail storefront or through delivery orders. It applies to shops that handle everything from wedding and event arrangements to everyday bouquets and potted plants.

Staff spend their day cutting and arranging stems, working with floral foam, wire, and shears, maintaining refrigerated display coolers, and preparing arrangements for pickup or delivery. Payroll includes florists and floral designers, sales counter staff, and delivery drivers for businesses offering local delivery.

Because the work involves small cutting tools, refrigerated coolers, and standing for extended periods, injury exposure is generally light — minor cuts from shears or thorns, and occasional slips near cooler areas are the most common claims. This keeps florists among the lower-risk retail classifications.

During underwriting, a common question is whether the shop grows any of its own flowers on-site, since larger growing operations carry different equipment and outdoor exposure than a purely retail storefront. Payroll should separate delivery drivers from in-store design and sales staff, since driving introduces auto exposure that isn't part of the arranging work itself. Loss control for florists typically focuses on safe handling of floral shears and wire cutters, proper footwear for standing on wet floors near coolers, and organized storage of glass vases to reduce breakage-related cuts.