Class Code 2163
Bottling – Beverages
Class Code 2163 covers beverage bottling operations — filling, capping, labeling, packing and palletizing bottled beverages. This classification applies to plants that package carbonated and non-carbonated drinks in glass, plastic or cans. The California pure premium for 2163 is $7.384 per $100 of payroll, an important starting point for estimating workers' comp exposure.
What Class Code 2163 Covers
This class covers the hands-on operations inside beverage bottling and packaging plants: automated and semi-automated filler and capper lines, bottle and can inspection, labeling and shrink-wrapping, case packing, palletizing and loading finished goods for distribution. It also includes line changeovers, sanitary clean-in-place (CIP) procedures, tank filling/transfer, and routine production housekeeping tied directly to the bottling process. Work with product ingredients at the production line (syrups, concentrates, carbonation systems) and CO2 handling related to carbonation are part of the scope. Note: specialized trades such as stand-alone electrical or mechanical contractors, or staff performing plant-wide maintenance on multiple systems, should have payroll separated and classified under the appropriate maintenance or trade codes rather than 2163.
Who It Applies To
- Bottling plants for soft drinks, bottled water and non-alcoholic beverages
- Contract packagers that operate filling and labeling lines for beverage brands
- Line operators and machine attendants on filling, capping and labeling equipment
- Sanitation and CIP crews assigned to beverage production lines
- Forklift operators, case packers and palletizers working within the bottling area
Common Job Duties
- Operating and monitoring liquid fillers, cappers, crowners and seaming machines
- Inspecting bottles/cans for defects and removing broken glass from lines
- Setting up and feeding labeling, shrink-wrap and case-packing equipment
- Performing CIP cleaning, chemical handling and rinsing of tanks and piping
- Palletizing finished cases and loading/unloading trucks with forklifts
- Conducting routine line changeovers, adjustments and basic troubleshooting
- Line housekeeping: spill cleanup, conveyor cleaning and slip hazard control
Common Injury Risks
Understanding the $7.384 Rate
The pure premium rate of $7.384 per $100 of payroll represents the estimated cost of future benefits (medical and indemnity) for workers in this class based on statewide loss experience. Insurers multiply the pure premium by your payroll (payroll/100) to calculate the base premium; carriers then adjust that base with factors such as your experience modification, policy-level credits and debits, deductibles, and any company-specific schedule rating. Final premium also depends on accurate payroll classification, payroll audit results, and whether you participate in group or PEO programs.
Cal/OSHA Compliance Requirements
Beverage bottling employers must implement Cal/OSHA-required programs that are especially relevant to production lines: a written Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP), machine guarding and control-of-hazardous-energy (lockout/tagout) procedures, Hazard Communication for CIP and maintenance chemicals, hearing conservation where noise exceeds limits, and confined-space entry controls for tanks and vats. Regular machine guarding inspections, documented training on lockout/tagout, and PPE for chemical and noise hazards are standard elements Cal/OSHA expects in bottling facilities.
How Key HR Helps Employers Under Class Code 2163
A PEO like Key HR helps bottling employers by ensuring correct payroll classification, administering workers' comp policies, and driving down losses through on-site loss-control consults, tailored safety programs, and claims management. Key HR also supports timely return-to-work programs, OSHA recordkeeping, operator training (machine guarding, lockout/tagout, forklift), and procurement of preferred insurance placements to reduce overall workers' comp costs.
Get a QuoteFrequently Asked Questions
Are maintenance and mechanics at my bottling plant included in Class Code 2163?
No. Routine production employees on the filling and packaging lines are reported to 2163, but dedicated maintenance, electricians or refrigeration mechanics typically must be payroll-separated and reported under the appropriate maintenance or trade class codes. Proper separation prevents under- or over-charging and ensures accurate experience modification.
Do forklift drivers who load pallets count under 2163?
Yes—forklift operators whose work is integral to the bottling and packaging operation are normally included in 2163. If the same drivers also perform trucking, delivery or duties outside the bottling operation, that portion of payroll should be classified to the applicable transportation or outside-driver code.
What practical steps reduce workers' comp costs for a bottling facility?
Key measures are: enforce machine guarding and lockout/tagout, establish a written IIPP and confined-space program, reduce slip hazards with drainage and floor coatings, implement hearing conservation, train employees on safe line procedures, and maintain prompt injury reporting plus a formal return-to-work program to limit indemnity exposure and lower your experience modification.
Quick Facts
- Class Code
- 2163
- Classification
- Bottling – Beverages
- Pure Premium Rate
- $7.384 / $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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