Class Code 2117
Fruit/Vegetable Processing – Frozen
Class Code 2117 covers fruit and vegetable processing operations where product is frozen or handled in frozen condition. This classification applies to production, packaging and maintenance staff working in blast freezers, IQF lines and cold storage. The September 1, 2026 approved pure premium rate for this class is $7.347 per $100 of payroll—an important factor in budgeting workers' comp for frozen-produce facilities in California.
What Class Code 2117 Covers
This classification applies to commercial facilities that wash, sort, blanch, slice, freeze (including individually quick frozen/IQF and blast freezing), package and cold-store fruit and vegetables for retail, foodservice or ingredient supply. Covered operations include continuous freezing tunnels, IQF belts, blast freezers, automated packing lines, metal detectors, weigh scales and cold-room palletizing. Employees performing routine maintenance on refrigeration and freezer equipment, sanitation crews that clean lines with high-pressure sprays and caustic cleaners, forklift and pallet jack operators who work inside cold storage, and quality control technicians inspecting frozen lots are included. It does not cover field harvesting, fresh produce distribution activities outside the freezing/packaging plant, or unrelated office staff that can be separately classified.
Who It Applies To
- Frozen fruit and vegetable processors (co-packers and manufacturers)
- IQF line operators and blast freezer technicians
- Sanitation crews who clean frozen-product lines and freezers
- Maintenance mechanics servicing refrigeration and conveyor systems
- Forklift/pallet jack operators working in cold storage
Common Job Duties
- Operating and monitoring IQF belts, blast freezers and continuous freezing tunnels
- Sorting, trimming, weighing and packaging frozen fruit/vegetable products
- Cleaning and sanitizing processing lines, drains and cold-room surfaces with high-pressure wash and chemical agents
- Performing routine and corrective maintenance on refrigeration compressors, evaporators and conveyor systems
- Loading and unloading product in cold rooms using forklifts and pallet jacks
- Quality inspection, metal detection checks and batch labeling in chilled/freezer environments
Common Injury Risks
Understanding the $7.347 Rate
The $7.347 pure premium rate means insurers use $7.347 per $100 of payroll as the statistical base cost for expected losses in this class. Your actual workers' compensation premium is calculated by applying that rate to your payroll for employees assigned to 2117 and then adjusting for your insurer's expense constant, experience modification (EMR), credits/debits and any schedule-rating or group discounts. Factors that affect the final premium include your claims history, payroll mix (seasonal vs. permanent), safety programs, classification splits, and payroll audit results.
Cal/OSHA Compliance Requirements
Cal/OSHA requirements applicable to frozen produce plants include an effective Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP), machine guarding under Title 8, lockout/tagout for equipment maintenance, and Hazard Communication for sanitizers and refrigerants. Employers must control cold stress through work/rest scheduling, appropriate insulated PPE, training and temperature monitoring, and must follow refrigeration safety and confined-space procedures when servicing compressors, evaporators or confined vessels.
How Key HR Helps Employers Under Class Code 2117
A PEO like Key HR can centralize workers' comp administration, manage payroll allocation to ensure correct classification and audits, and implement targeted loss-prevention programs—cold-stress training, machine-guarding checklists and sanitation controls—that reduce claim frequency. Key HR can also coordinate return-to-work plans, file and manage claims to limit cost leakage, and leverage group buying or experience for better pricing and safety resources.
Get a QuoteFrequently Asked Questions
Are seasonal pickers classified under 2117?
No. Class Code 2117 applies to on-site processing, freezing and packaging operations. Field harvest and pickers are typically classified under agricultural codes; seasonal workers in the plant doing freezing/packing tasks during harvest season would be 2117 while working inside the processing facility.
What safety investments most reduce workers' comp costs for frozen processing?
Investments that cut claim frequency include engineered machine guarding and emergency stops, slip-resistant flooring and footwear, formal cold-stress protocols (rotating breaks and insulated PPE), documented sanitation SOPs, preventive maintenance for conveyors and refrigeration, and a strong IIPP with training and incident investigation.
How should payroll be allocated if some employees do both office and floor work?
Payroll must be allocated to the classification that reflects the employee's primary duties. If a worker splits time, allocate hours/payroll by task; pure office duties should be separately classified. Accurate timekeeping and duty logs help ensure correct premium calculation and avoid audit adjustments.
Quick Facts
- Class Code
- 2117
- Classification
- Fruit/Vegetable Processing – Frozen
- Pure Premium Rate
- $7.347 / $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.
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