Class Code 1122
Mining – Surface
Class Code 1122 covers surface mining operations in California — open pits, quarries, sand and gravel operations, and other above‑ground mineral extraction activities. Employers must understand the $2.923 per $100 pure premium rate for 9/1/2026 because it drives baseline workers' comp costs for crews, heavy equipment operators, and processing-plant staff.
What Class Code 1122 Covers
This classification applies to above‑ground mining and quarrying operations where overburden is removed, rock or mineral deposits are exposed, and material is extracted by drilling, blasting, digging, loading and hauling. Work included: open‑pit and strip mining, sand and gravel pits, crushed stone and aggregate quarries, and the onsite crushing, screening and stockpiling that supports extraction. Covered employees include drill crews, blasters, heavy-equipment operators (excavators, loaders, haul trucks), crusher/screen plant workers, maintenance mechanics, surveyors and supervisory staff who work on the surface site. Activities such as grade control, stockpile management, conveyor operation and onsite material transfer also fall under this code. Work that is underground, tunneling, or exclusively laboratory mineral testing would be classified separately.
Who It Applies To
- Aggregate and crushed‑stone quarries (sand, gravel, basalt, limestone)
- Open‑pit nonmetal/metal surface mines and strip mining operations
- Heavy equipment operators (loaders, dozers, haul trucks, backhoes)
- Blasting and drilling crews and onsite blasters
- Plant operators at onsite crushers, screens, conveyors and wash plants
- Mobile maintenance mechanics and field service technicians
Common Job Duties
- Drilling blast holes, prepping and conducting controlled blasting operations
- Operating haul trucks, loaders, dozers and excavators to move overburden and ore
- Loading, crushing, screening and conveying aggregate for stockpiles and shipment
- Inspecting and maintaining heavy equipment, hydraulics and undercarriages
- Performing grade control, surveying, sampling and material testing on site
- Establishing and maintaining haul‑road traffic control, berms and bench stability
Common Injury Risks
Understanding the $2.923 Rate
The approved pure premium rate of $2.923 per $100 of payroll represents the portion of premium intended to cover expected claim costs for Class Code 1122 based on historical loss data. Insurers add expense, state assessments, and may adjust with your company's experience modification, schedule credits/debits, and any underwriting or retrospective rating programs to determine the final policy premium.
Cal/OSHA Compliance Requirements
Surface mining in California is regulated by Cal/OSHA Division of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) mining safety orders and related Title 8 standards; employers must implement dust control, respirator programs, noise monitoring, machine guarding, traffic control for mobile equipment, fall protection and confined-space procedures. Many surface mine operations are also subject to federal MSHA rules—operators should confirm jurisdiction and maintain compliance with both MSHA and Cal/OSHA requirements where applicable.
How Key HR Helps Employers Under Class Code 1122
A PEO like Key HR helps surface‑mining employers by ensuring correct classification and payroll reporting, administering claims and return‑to‑work programs, and delivering targeted loss‑control services (silica monitoring, blasting safety protocols, fleet traffic plans). Key HR can coordinate Cal/OSHA/MSHA training, manage premium audits, and implement safety-driven programs that reduce frequency and severity of claims, which lowers long‑term workers' comp costs.
Get a QuoteFrequently Asked Questions
Does Class Code 1122 include onsite crushing and screening plant workers?
Yes. Onsite crushing, screening, conveyors and wash‑plant operations directly supporting surface extraction are included under Class Code 1122 when they are part of the surface mining operation.
How can we lower our workers' comp costs for a surface mine?
Focus on reducing frequency and severity: robust pre‑hire screening, defensive driving and traffic management for haul roads, documented blasting protocols, silica dust controls and monitoring, preventive equipment maintenance, and a formal return‑to‑work program. Those controls reduce claims and improve your experience modification factor.
What training and programs does Cal/OSHA expect for this work?
Cal/OSHA expects documented training in hazard communication, respiratory protection for silica exposure, hearing conservation, lockout/tagout for heavy equipment, fall protection, confined‑space entry (where applicable), and supervised blasting certification and explosives handling procedures. Employers should also implement site‑specific written safety plans and training records.
Quick Facts
- Class Code
- 1122
- Classification
- Mining – Surface
- Pure Premium Rate
- $2.923 / $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 1122?
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