Class Code 0096
Nut Hulling, Shelling Or Processing
Class Code 0096 applies to businesses engaged in nut hulling, shelling, and primary processing and matters for California employers because of the specific machinery, dust and ergonomic exposures. The September 1, 2026 approved pure premium rate for this class is $5.259 per $100 of payroll, which serves as the base cost for workers' comp pricing before modifiers and insurer adjustments.
What Class Code 0096 Covers
This classification covers facilities and operations where raw nuts are received and mechanically or manually hulled, shelled, cleaned, sorted, dried, pasteurized, roasted, or packaged. It includes processing lines for almonds, walnuts, pistachios, pecans and similar tree nuts where the employer's primary function is post-harvest handling rather than field harvesting. Activities such as running shelling machines, vibrating separators, air classifiers, drying tunnels, roasting ovens and packaging lines fall here, as do onsite quality control and in-line maintenance performed by plant employees. It does not typically cover orchard field labor (harvesting on trees), which is classified under agricultural harvest codes; however small on-farm hulling or shelling operations that process nuts as the primary on-site activity are properly coded 0096. Seasonal workers, temporary packers, and permanent line operators in a nut processing plant are included under this class.
Who It Applies To
- Almond, walnut, pistachio hulling and shelling plants
- Nut roasting and packaging companies and co-packers
- Small on-farm processing facilities that hull or shell nuts as a primary activity
- Production line operators, sorters, and packers in nut processing plants
- Maintenance and equipment technicians who service shellers and conveyors
- Warehouse staff and forklift operators at nut processing facilities
Common Job Duties
- Unloading raw nuts and feeding hulling/shelling machines
- Operating and monitoring shellers, separators, air classifiers and conveyors
- Hand-sorting and quality inspection on packing lines
- Operating ovens or blanchers for roasting/pasteurization and monitoring temperatures
- Cleaning and housekeeping to remove shells, dust and debris
- Routine equipment maintenance, adjustment, and minor repairs
- Palletizing, labeling and preparing finished product for shipment
Common Injury Risks
Understanding the $5.259 Rate
The approved pure premium rate of $5.259 per $100 of payroll is the base cost representing expected claim costs for this class. Insurers multiply the pure premium by company-specific expense loads, apply the employer's experience modification, any schedule or NCCI discounts, and state assessments to produce the final premium. Payroll misclassification, high claim frequency, inadequate safety controls, or seasonal payroll fluctuations can raise your final premium above the pure premium base.
Cal/OSHA Compliance Requirements
California requires an active Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP) for all employers, which is critical for nut processing plants to address machine guarding, dust control and housekeeping (Title 8 §3203). Employers must implement machine guarding and lockout/tagout procedures, provide hearing conservation and respiratory protection programs when exposures exceed limits, and follow Cal/OSHA heat illness prevention rules for outdoor drying or receiving activities. Regular training and documented maintenance/inspection records will help demonstrate compliance during inspections.
How Key HR Helps Employers Under Class Code 0096
A PEO like Key HR can centralize payroll reporting and correctly assign Class Code 0096 to minimize misclassification risk, coordinate California-specific compliance (IIPP, respiratory and hearing programs), and run proactive claims and return-to-work programs to reduce experience modification. Key HR also provides safety program templates, on-site or virtual training, and claims advocacy to speed medical management and limit indemnity exposure, helping eligible employers lower long-term workers' comp costs.
Get a QuoteFrequently Asked Questions
Does Class Code 0096 apply to orchard harvest workers?
No. Class Code 0096 covers hulling, shelling and processing operations performed at a facility or as the primary on-site business. Orchard harvesting and picking are generally coded under agricultural harvest class codes. If on-farm activities include substantial post-harvest processing on site, those processing tasks belong in 0096.
What safety steps most reduce claims for nut processing plants?
Key measures include robust machine guarding and lockout/tagout for shellers and conveyors, dust control and local exhaust ventilation to reduce respiratory exposure, consistent PPE and hearing protection, ergonomic improvements for packing lines, and strict housekeeping to remove shells and spills. Documented training and an active IIPP also reduce claim frequency and severity.
How does a PEO manage payroll and audits for this class code?
A PEO like Key HR reports client payroll centrally and assigns earnings to the appropriate class codes, including seasonal adjustments and temporary workers. During audits and premium calculations the PEO provides detailed payroll records, helps classify workers correctly, and coordinates with the insurer to resolve discrepancies that could otherwise increase premium.
Quick Facts
- Class Code
- 0096
- Classification
- Nut Hulling, Shelling Or Processing
- Pure Premium Rate
- $5.259 / $100 payroll
- Effective Date
- September 1, 2026
- Source
- WCIRB Approved Filing
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