Class Code 0036
Dairy Farms
Class Code 0036 applies to dairy farm operations in California and carries a September 1, 2026 approved pure premium rate of $7.100 per $100 of payroll. This classification matters because it groups workers who handle livestock, operate milking parlors and farm equipment, and perform biosecurity and manure-management tasks that drive claims frequency and severity.
What Class Code 0036 Covers
This class covers on-site dairy farm operations: milking parlors and robotic milking systems, herd management, calf raising, feeding and rationing, manure handling and lagoon maintenance, barn cleaning and bedding work, on-premises equipment maintenance, and on-site milk handling and bulk-tank operations. It includes work performed inside freestall barns, dry lots, milking parlors, heifer pens and calf hutches. Routine veterinary support such as administering meds and basic herd health tasks performed by farm employees is included. Off-site activities that are predominantly driving or delivery work are generally classified separately; however loading, unloading or yard work done on the dairy property is included under 0036.
Who It Applies To
- Dairy farm owners and on-site managers
- Milkers and milking-parlor technicians (manual and robotic)
- Herdsmen and animal handlers (calving, hoof care, vaccinations)
- Feeders, barn crew and calf-rearing staff
- Equipment maintenance and shop technicians who work on dairy premises
- Manure-handling and lagoon maintenance workers
Common Job Duties
- Operating milking equipment, vacuum pumps, pipeline and bulk tanks
- Manual and assisted animal handling for milking, hoof trimming and calving
- Feeding, mixing rations and operating feed delivery systems
- Cleaning stalls, pushing up feed, removing manure and maintaining lagoons
- Routine maintenance on tractors, loaders, parlour equipment and conveyors
- Administering basic herd health tasks such as vaccinations and wound care
- Working in confined or semi-enclosed spaces (manure pits, silage clamps) during cleaning
Common Injury Risks
Understanding the $7.100 Rate
The approved pure premium rate of $7.100 per $100 of payroll represents the portion of premium allocated to expected claim costs for this classification. To estimate pure premium, divide total payroll by 100 and multiply by 7.100; actual employer bill will then be adjusted by experience modification, insurer or PEO administrative charges, state assessments, and any schedule or retrospective rating. Factors that affect the final premium include your farm's claims history, payroll mix (on-site vs. driving), loss-control programs, and accuracy of classifications on payroll audits.
Cal/OSHA Compliance Requirements
Dairy farms must follow California's Agricultural Safety Orders and general industry standards where applicable. Key compliance items include a written heat illness prevention plan and training, confined-space entry procedures for manure pits and lagoons, machine guarding and lockout/tagout for equipment maintenance, hazard communication for chemicals and pesticide use, and documented training for safe animal handling. Employers should also maintain injury and illness logs and be prepared for Cal/OSHA inspections aimed at high-risk farming operations.
How Key HR Helps Employers Under Class Code 0036
A PEO like Key HR helps dairy employers by centralizing workers' comp administration, securing appropriate classification and payroll reporting, and implementing industry-specific loss-control programs (animal handling protocols, milking ergonomics, PPE and confined-space procedures). Key HR can manage claims and return-to-work plans, coordinate on-site safety audits, deliver targeted training for milking and manure operations, and work to improve your experience modification to reduce long-term premium costs.
Get a QuoteFrequently Asked Questions
Does Class Code 0036 cover milk truck drivers who haul off-site?
Not usually. Employees who spend the majority of their time driving or making deliveries are typically classified under a motor-vehicle drivers code. However, drivers who are primarily employed on the dairy property for loading/unloading and yard duties may be coded to 0036 for their on-premises work. Accurate time-allocation and payroll reporting determine the correct classification.
What practical steps reduce workers' comp claims on a dairy?
Implementing formal animal-handling training, mechanical aids for lifting and milking, routine equipment guarding and lockout/tagout, scheduled preventative maintenance, vaccination and hygiene protocols, and a formal return-to-work program all reduce claim frequency and severity. Regular loss-control visits and documenting training are especially effective when contesting or reducing claim costs.
Which records and trainings should I maintain for Cal/OSHA compliance on a dairy?
Maintain written heat illness prevention plans and training logs, confined-space entry permits and training records for manure pits, hazard communication programs and SDSs for chemicals, equipment maintenance and lockout/tagout records, animal-handling training, and OSHA injury and illness logs. These records support compliance and help in demonstrating proactive safety during audits or claims reviews.
Quick Facts
- Class Code
- 0036
- Classification
- Dairy Farms
- Pure Premium Rate
- $7.100 / $100 payroll
- Effective Date
- September 1, 2026
- Source
- WCIRB Approved Filing
Manage Workers' Comp Through a PEO
Key HR provides pay-as-you-go workers' comp for California employers — no large deposits, no audits, better rates.
Get a Quoteor call (800) 922-4133Ready to Simplify Workers' Comp for Class Code 0036?
Key HR provides California employers with pay-as-you-go workers' comp, HR compliance support, and payroll — all through one PEO partnership.