Industry Code: 87401
The predominate focus of this industry is to provide laundry and dry cleaning services to the retail market for the cleaning of clothing, garments, draperies, furs, etc., including climate controlled storage.
Operation Details:
Cleaning includes laundering and/or dry cleaning. Laundering is done in large washing machines similar to a household operation. Dry cleaning is done in larger machines that hold up to 100 lbs. Solvents or chemical soap, sizing, moister, etc. is added and articles pass through the solution until they are cleaned. The articles go through various lines to press, assemble and package.
Fur cleaning typically goes through an eight-step process. The fur is examined for age and condition. Linings are hand-cleaned, and spots are removed from the fur. Coats are placed in a large drum with sawdust/walnut shells or pumice and tumble treated with cleaning solution. The furs are placed in a cage with a vacuum attached, to tumble the furs and remove the sawdust, walnut shells or pumice. They are then hand-steamed. The fur is placed by hand into a machine that irons it with rollers, lifting, separating and returning the hairs to a uniform direction.
The storage of furs and woollens is done in climate-controlled vaults that are set at 58% humidity and 17 degrees Celsius. These vaults prevent moths and other insects from damaging the garment and keep the garment soft and supple.
The industry will include repair and alterations of products being laundered or dry cleaned. Alterations can include dyeing. However, dyeing is not common, primarily because new synthetic materials do not take dye very well. Dyeing is done on an individual item basis in a stainless steel tub. The key to the process is mixing the proper colour of dye, almost like a chemical formula.
Employers will provide delivery and pick-up services. Dry-cleaning agents are also included in this industry when they are primarily in business to take in articles as a drop off centre for specific dry cleaning firms and act as their exclusive representative.
Dry-cleaning firms and agents may also sell confectionery items such as soft drinks, chips and used pocket books, and rent video tapes and perform other supportive activities to produce revenue to assist in making the operation a viable business.
Underwriting Considerations:
Employers doing clothing, fur and garment cleaning as their primary business may perform minor alterations, sell used fur garments on a minimal basis, and provide fur climate-controlled storage and are classified in industry 87401.
Employers whose primary business is the retail sale of fur coats and garments (also known as furriers) may offer climate-controlled storage, minor repairs and alterations and are classified in industry 66900.
If an employer's only business is the climate controlled storage of furs and woollens, the business is classified in industry 87401.
In general, dry cleaners (industry 87401) serve the retail market and power laundries (industry 87400) serve commercial and institutional clients, while coin operated laundries are classified in industry 87402. Employers in a combination of these services should be classified in the one industry which best represents their business.
Dry cleaners may be represented by the Alberta Textile Care Association.
Industry Custom Pricing: Waiving Cost Relief Option
This industry has chosen to participate in Industry Custom Pricing effective January 1, 2014. Costs related to the aggravation of a pre-existing condition will not be removed from the experience record of employers classified in this industry. In return, the portion of premiums collected to fund retroactive cost relief has been removed from the industry rate, resulting in a reduction in WCB premium rates for the industry.
Premium Rate History:
Activities:
Dry Cleaners
Fur Cleaning, Repair and Storage
Power Laundries
Rate Group History:
These services were consolidated into this rate group effective January 1, 1993.
The predominate focus of this industry is to provide laundry and dry cleaning services to the retail market for the cleaning of clothing, garments, draperies, furs, etc., including climate controlled storage.
Premium Rate History:
Activities:
Dry Cleaners
Fur Cleaning, Repair and Storage
Power Laundries
Operation Details:
Cleaning includes laundering and/or dry cleaning. Laundering is done in large washing machines similar to a household operation. Dry cleaning is done in larger machines that hold up to 100 lbs. Solvents or chemical soap, sizing, moister, etc. is added and articles pass through the solution until they are cleaned. The articles go through various lines to press, assemble and package.
Fur cleaning typically goes through an eight-step process. The fur is examined for age and condition. Linings are hand-cleaned, and spots are removed from the fur. Coats are placed in a large drum with sawdust/walnut shells or pumice and tumble treated with cleaning solution. The furs are placed in a cage with a vacuum attached, to tumble the furs and remove the sawdust, walnut shells or pumice. They are then hand-steamed. The fur is placed by hand into a machine that irons it with rollers, lifting, separating and returning the hairs to a uniform direction.
The storage of furs and woollens is done in climate-controlled vaults that are set at 58% humidity and 17 degrees Celsius. These vaults prevent moths and other insects from damaging the garment and keep the garment soft and supple.
The industry will include repair and alterations of products being laundered or dry cleaned. Alterations can include dyeing. However, dyeing is not common, primarily because new synthetic materials do not take dye very well. Dyeing is done on an individual item basis in a stainless steel tub. The key to the process is mixing the proper colour of dye, almost like a chemical formula.
Employers will provide delivery and pick-up services. Dry-cleaning agents are also included in this industry when they are primarily in business to take in articles as a drop off centre for specific dry cleaning firms and act as their exclusive representative.
Dry-cleaning firms and agents may also sell confectionery items such as soft drinks, chips and used pocket books, and rent video tapes and perform other supportive activities to produce revenue to assist in making the operation a viable business.
Underwriting Considerations:
Employers doing clothing, fur and garment cleaning as their primary business may perform minor alterations, sell used fur garments on a minimal basis, and provide fur climate-controlled storage and are classified in industry 87401.
Employers whose primary business is the retail sale of fur coats and garments (also known as furriers) may offer climate-controlled storage, minor repairs and alterations and are classified in industry 66900.
If an employer's only business is the climate controlled storage of furs and woollens, the business is classified in industry 87401.
In general, dry cleaners (industry 87401) serve the retail market and power laundries (industry 87400) serve commercial and institutional clients, while coin operated laundries are classified in industry 87402. Employers in a combination of these services should be classified in the one industry which best represents their business.
Dry cleaners may be represented by the Alberta Textile Care Association.
Industry Custom Pricing: Waiving Cost Relief Option
This industry has chosen to participate in Industry Custom Pricing effective January 1, 2014. Costs related to the aggravation of a pre-existing condition will not be removed from the experience record of employers classified in this industry. In return, the portion of premiums collected to fund retroactive cost relief has been removed from the industry rate, resulting in a reduction in WCB premium rates for the industry.
Rate Group History:
These services were consolidated into this rate group effective January 1, 1993.