Classifications are reported largely by the applicants’ occupation and duties performed. Although for certain occupations the classifications may be lower than for occupations with seemingly the same exposure because of other factors. When referring risks, this table must be used to classify occupations regardless of any local market classifications. Here is a brief analysis of the principle characteristics in each group:
- Class 1 - Occupations found in this class are the least hazardous of all. In this class will be found most white “collar workers” and personnel whose duties are office related, but not subject to other factors that would increase their risk. The most frequently written risks in this classification would be attorneys; office managers and clerical employees; commercial and city salesmen who do not make deliveries.
- Class 2 - In this class will be found "white collar" workers also, but whose occupations are subject to certain factors, making them more hazardous than Class 1. Some of the risks in this class involve very light manual labor (excluding those who use machinery). Also in this class will be found such risks as traveling salesmen, surveyors and merchants.
- Class 3 -In this class will be found industrial workers, most of whom are skilled or semi-skilled workers, some of whom use machinery. The occupational hazard in this group, despite safety prevention measures in industrial plants and elsewhere, creates a hazard greater than Class 2. In this group also will be found petrol station attendants; farmers who do not do manual labor; carpenters (excluding those who use power driven woodworking machinery); and taxi drivers.
- Class 4 - This class consists, for the most part, of industrial workers who use heavy machinery and unskilled laborers. Hazardous occupations also found in this group are police and fire fighters.
- Class 5 -This identification has been assigned to those occupations which are either more hazardous than those classified as 1,2,3 or 4, or the data is too meager to provide any classification. The hazards of these occupations vary to such an extent that they can only be evaluated separately and should be referred to the Regional or Home Office for review.