Texas Drywall Contractor Workers' Compensation Insurance

Drywall is a fall-heavy, heavy-lifting trade. Crews work on lifts and stilts, handle heavy sheets, and sand joint compound. Fall injuries, back strains, and silica exposure are the top claims. Texas does not require workers' comp for private employers, but a drywall shop without it puts the owner's personal assets behind every serious injury and locks the shop out of commercial work.

Lift and Stilt Fall Exposure

Falls from lifts and stilts are the top drywall claim. Lift certification, stilt-safety protocols, and fall-protection training reduce both injuries and the experience modifier. Carriers ask about lift and fall-protection programs; documented programs are a premium factor.

Silica from Joint Compound

Sanding joint compound produces respirable silica. OSHA's silica standard requires wet methods or dust collection and respirator programs. Documented silica-compliance programs reduce both injuries and the experience modifier. Carriers ask about silica programs; a documented program is a premium factor.

Owner and Officer Coverage

Texas allows sole proprietors and officers to exclude themselves from workers' comp. Many drywall owners include themselves because working owners face the same lift, lifting, and silica exposures. An owner who excludes himself has no wage-loss or medical coverage for his own injury.

Uninsured Subcontractor Exposure

If you use 1099 drywall crews without workers' comp, an injured sub can bring a claim against your policy. Texas carriers charge uninsured subcontractor exposure at the drywall rate at audit. Requiring 1099 crews to carry their own workers' comp and name you additional insured removes the exposure and the premium.

What Commercial GCs Require

• Workers' comp with statutory Texas benefits and employer liability of $1M/$1M/$1M
• Waiver of subrogation in favor of the GC and owner
• Coverage continuing through hanging and finishing closeout
• Certificate delivered before the sub mobilizes