Class Code 2585
Laundries; Dyeing
Class Code 2585 covers commercial and industrial laundry and dyeing operations in California, from high-capacity wash/extract lines to textile dye baths. The approved pure premium rate for September 1, 2026 is $7.280 per $100 of payroll, which is a key factor in workers' comp cost for these employers.
What Class Code 2585 Covers
This classification applies to businesses that launder, finish, press or dye textiles on an industrial scale. Typical operations include sorting soiled goods, industrial washing and hydro-extraction, continuous or batch dye baths, chemical dosing and fixation, drying tunnels, mangles and flatwork ironers, pressing/finishing, and handling wastewater and lint management systems. It covers employees who operate washers/extractors and dryers, monitor and adjust dye bath chemistry (pH, temperature, time), mix and apply bleaching or dyeing chemicals, load/unload machines, and perform routine maintenance on boilers, steam lines and automated finishing equipment. Note that small retail dry cleaning shops and driving/delivery work are often coded separately; Class 2585 is focused on plant-level laundry and dyeing processes.
Who It Applies To
- Commercial laundries processing hotel, hospital or restaurant linens
- Textile dyeing mills and contract dye houses
- Uniform and rental linen plants with industrial wash and finishing lines
- Hospital or healthcare central sterile laundry facilities (plant operations staff)
- Machine operators, dye technicians, pressers/finishers, and maintenance technicians
Common Job Duties
- Operating industrial washers, continuous washers, extractors and dryers
- Monitoring and adjusting dye baths (temperature, pH, chemical feed, dwell time)
- Mixing and handling detergents, bleaches, fixation agents and other chemicals
- Loading, unloading and feeding linens through ironers, mangles and presses
- Routine maintenance and cleaning of boilers, steam lines, vents and lint traps with lockout/tagout
- Collecting and treating wastewater and managing effluent/solids from dyeing processes
- Inspecting finished goods for color consistency and quality control
Common Injury Risks
Understanding the $7.280 Rate
The pure premium rate of $7.280 per $100 of payroll represents the actuarial estimate of expected claim costs for this classification. To estimate your base workers' comp premium, multiply total payroll subject to Class 2585 by the rate (payroll/100 × 7.280). Insurers then add expense loads and apply your employer-specific adjustments — experience modification, schedule credits/debits, policy deductibles, and state assessments — so the final premium will vary by claims history, payroll accuracy and underwriting factors.
Cal/OSHA Compliance Requirements
Cal/OSHA requires written programs and controls that address hazards common to laundries and dyeing operations: hazard communication with SDS availability and employee chemical training, machine guarding and lockout/tagout for press and mangle maintenance, adequate ventilation and local exhaust for dyeing areas, and emergency eyewash/showers where corrosives are used. Boiler and pressure vessel safety, steam system inspections and hot-work controls are also relevant; employers must maintain records, train workers, and implement an Injury and Illness Prevention Program tailored to laundry/dyeing hazards.
How Key HR Helps Employers Under Class Code 2585
A PEO like Key HR can consolidate workers' comp coverage, ensure correct classification and payroll reporting, and provide centralized claims handling to speed medical care and return-to-work outcomes. Key HR also delivers site-specific loss-control audits, written safety programs (chemical handling, lockout/tagout, PPE), employee training modules, and ergonomic interventions to reduce frequency and severity of claims — all measures that help lower an employer's experience modification and overall cost.
Get a QuoteFrequently Asked Questions
Does Class Code 2585 include retail dry cleaning or delivery drivers?
No. Class 2585 covers plant-level laundries and dyeing operations. Retail dry cleaning and delivery/driver activities are typically assigned separate class codes because they involve different exposures and driving risks.
What are the most effective controls to reduce injuries in laundry and dyeing plants?
Prioritize machine guarding and strict lockout/tagout for presses, mangles and extractors; chemical hazard communication and PPE for dye/bleach handling; slip-resistant flooring and housekeeping for wet/lint-prone areas; and mechanical aids or team lifts for heavy wet loads to prevent strains.
How can I reduce my workers' comp premium for Class 2585 operations?
Reduce claims and frequency through targeted safety training, documented return-to-work plans, preventive maintenance on equipment, accurate payroll classification, and partnering with a PEO for proactive claims management and loss-control services to improve your experience modification.
Quick Facts
- Class Code
- 2585
- Classification
- Laundries; Dyeing
- Pure Premium Rate
- $7.280 / $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 2585?
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