Class Code 2108
Fruit – Citrus Fruit Packing And Handling
Class Code 2108 covers citrus fruit packing and handling operations in California packinghouses and processing plants. The WCIRB pure premium for 9/1/2026 is $5.443 per $100 of payroll, a measure of expected claim costs that matters for budgeting and loss-control planning.
What Class Code 2108 Covers
This classification applies to operations inside packinghouses and fruit-handling facilities that receive, wash, grade, size, sort, treat (wax/sanitizers), pack and palletize citrus such as oranges, tangerines, lemons and limes. Covered work includes manual and mechanized sorting lines, optical graders, brush washers, flume systems, packing lines (cartons, bags, bulk bins), palletizing and loading to refrigerated trucks, plus related sanitation and light maintenance of processing equipment. It does not cover orchard harvesting or field picking; it is focused on post-harvest handling and packing plant activities, including cold storage areas and staging docks where citrus is prepared for market.
Who It Applies To
- Citrus packinghouses and cooperative packing sheds
- Produce co-packers and fruit processing plants handling citrus
- Line workers who sort, grade, wash and pack citrus
- Forklift drivers and palletizers who stage and load packed fruit
- Sanitation crews and washdown operators for packing lines
Common Job Duties
- Receiving and unloading pallets or bulk bins from trucks
- Washing, brushing and flume-line handling of fruit
- Operating graders, optical sorters, conveyors and cutters
- Manual packing into cartons, bags or bulk containers
- Palletizing, strapping and staging for refrigerated transport
- Sanitation and chemical cleaning of conveyors and equipment
- Light maintenance and adjustment of packing machinery
Common Injury Risks
Understanding the $5.443 Rate
The pure premium of $5.443 per $100 of payroll represents the estimated cost of claims for this class before insurer expenses, profit and state assessments. An employer's actual workers' comp premium is calculated by applying this base rate to payroll for employees assigned to 2108, then adjusting for the insurer's expense load, the employer's experience modification, deductible programs, premium credits or audits and any policy-specific endorsements. Accurate payroll allocation, workplace safety, and claim frequency all directly influence the final premium.
Cal/OSHA Compliance Requirements
Packinghouse operations must be managed under Cal/OSHA rules including a written Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP) and training on hazards specific to packing lines. Key standards to address are Heat Illness Prevention for outdoor staging or seasonal work, Hazard Communication for sanitizers and fumigants, machine guarding and lockout/tagout for conveyors and palletizers, and ventilation/respiratory protection when applying sprays or fumigants.
How Key HR Helps Employers Under Class Code 2108
A PEO like Key HR helps employers in this class achieve correct classification and payroll reporting, implement Cal/OSHA-compliant safety programs (IIPP, machine guarding, PPE, heat illness prevention), and actively manage claims and return-to-work to reduce experience modification factors. Key HR can also provide training, loss-run analysis, centralized claims handling, and access to group purchasing and preferred carriers to lower overall workers' comp costs.
Get a QuoteFrequently Asked Questions
Does Class Code 2108 cover orchard harvesting?
No. 2108 applies to post-harvest packing and handling performed in packinghouses, wash/pack lines and distribution staging. Field harvesting and in-orchard picking are classified under separate field labor codes.
How can I lower my workers' comp premium for a citrus packing operation?
Focus on reducing claim frequency and severity: implement ergonomics and rotation to cut repetitive-strain injuries, enforce machine guarding and lockout/tagout, improve floor maintenance to prevent slips, provide forklift training, and maintain prompt reporting and return-to-work programs that shorten lost-time claims. Accurate payroll allocation and periodic classification audits also prevent overbilling.
What PPE and training should packinghouse employers provide?
Provide cut-resistant gloves, eye protection, slip-resistant footwear, hearing protection near noisy equipment, and appropriate respirators when handling sprays or fumigants. Employers must maintain SDSs, train workers under Hazard Communication, conduct machine guarding and LOTO training, and document routine washdown, chemical handling and emergency procedures.
Quick Facts
- Class Code
- 2108
- Classification
- Fruit – Citrus Fruit Packing And Handling
- Pure Premium Rate
- $5.443 / $100 payroll
- Effective Date
- September 1, 2026
- Source
- WCIRB Approved Filing
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