Class Code 0172
Truck Farms
Class code 0172 covers "Truck Farms" 2 2 California operations that grow, harvest, sort, pack and load vegetables, melons, berries and other market produce. The approved pure premium rate for September 1, 2026 is $3.852 per $100 of payroll, which reflects the expected claim cost for these agricultural operations.
What Class Code 0172 Covers
This classification applies to agricultural operations primarily engaged in growing produce for market: field cultivation, transplanting, hand or mechanical harvesting, field grading and packing, and loading produce onto trucks. Typical locations include open fields, small acreage market gardens, and on-site packing sheds directly tied to the farm. Work such as irrigation installation and maintenance, calibration and application of crop protection products by trained staff, and operation of tractors and mechanical harvesters for these crops are included. Activities not covered by 0172 usually include post-harvest food processing in industrial plants or long-haul commercial trucking, which have separate classifications.
Who It Applies To
- Small and mid-size market vegetable farms and truck farms
- CSA and farm-stand operations that grow and sell produce
- Field crews (planting, cultivating, harvesting and packing workers)
- Tractor, harvester and irrigation equipment operators on produce farms
- On-site packhouse and grading workers tied directly to the farm operation
Common Job Duties
- Preparing seedbeds, planting and transplanting vegetable crops
- Cultivating, weeding, and manual crop care in the field
- Hand or mechanical harvesting and field sorting of produce
- Packing, grading and palletizing in on-site packing sheds
- Loading and securing produce on farm trucks for local delivery
- Operating tractors, loaders, mechanical harvesters and irrigation equipment
- Routine maintenance of farm equipment, irrigation lines and fencing
Common Injury Risks
Understanding the $3.852 Rate
The pure premium rate of $3.852 per $100 of payroll represents the WCIRB-approved expected cost of claims for this class before adjustments. Insurers multiply this rate by an employer's payroll in hundreds of dollars to calculate the base premium; the final premium can change with experience modification factors, audits, state assessments, deductible or retrospective plans, and any policy fees.
Cal/OSHA Compliance Requirements
Truck farm employers must follow Cal/OSHA agricultural requirements, including the Heat Illness Prevention standard (mandatory water, shade, rest and training), field sanitation and access to toilets and handwashing, pesticide safety and worker notification/training consistent with the Worker Protection/label requirements, and machine-guarding/lockout for tractors and harvesters. Maintain training records, provide appropriate PPE, and implement written heat and pesticide safety procedures to meet enforcement expectations.
How Key HR Helps Employers Under Class Code 0172
A PEO like Key HR helps truck farm employers by ensuring accurate payroll classification, delivering industry-specific safety programs (heat illness plans, pesticide training, equipment guarding), and managing claims and return-to-work to reduce loss costs. Key HR also streamlines payroll reporting, coordinates OSHA-required training, and can leverage group purchasing and experience to lower workers' comp expense and administrative burden.
Get a QuoteFrequently Asked Questions
Does class code 0172 include both hand-harvest and mechanical-harvest operations?
Yes. 0172 covers both manual and mechanical harvesting on market produce farms, including operation of tractors and mechanical harvesters used in cultivating and harvesting crops grown for market.
Are packing shed workers and short-haul farm drivers included in 0172?
On-site packing and grading that are integral to the farm operation are normally included under 0172. Short local deliveries by farm-owned trucks are usually covered, but long-haul or commercial trucking operations should be classified separately.
What practical steps reduce workers' comp costs for truck farms?
Implementing a Cal/OSHA-compliant heat illness prevention program, formal pesticide training and decontamination procedures, mechanized lift aids, written equipment maintenance/guarding protocols, timely post-injury return-to-work plans, and accurate payroll classification are the most effective ways to lower claims and premium.
Quick Facts
- Class Code
- 0172
- Classification
- Truck Farms
- Pure Premium Rate
- $3.852 / $100 payroll
- Effective Date
- September 1, 2026
- Source
- WCIRB Approved Filing
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