Class Code 2688
Leather Goods Mfg
Class Code 2688 applies to manufacturers who cut, stitch, finish and assemble leather goods such as wallets, belts, handbags, straps and small luggage. The WCIRB pure premium for California effective Sept 1, 2026 is $7.349 per $100 of payroll — a baseline measure of expected claim costs for this type of work.
What Class Code 2688 Covers
This classification covers shop- and factory-based production of finished leather items and small leather goods where workers use cutting tools, skiving and splitting machines, hand and industrial sewing machines, presses/dies, riveters, heat-stamping equipment and solvent-based adhesives. Operations include pattern cutting and die cutting, skiving and edge finishing, machine and hand stitching, hardware attachment (rivets, snaps, buckles), dyeing and finishing, buffing/polishing and final inspection and packing. It applies to both artisanal bench shops and larger contract manufacturers provided the predominant work is manufacturing leather goods rather than footwear or heavy leather products like saddles — those may fall under other codes. The classification excludes retail sales-only operations where no manufacturing, cutting or finishing occurs.
Who It Applies To
- Small artisan leather workshops producing wallets, belts, purses and watch bands
- Contract manufacturers that cut, stitch and finish leather accessories
- Saddlery and equestrian accessory makers when operations are light leather goods focused
- Factory sewers, machine operators, skivers and finishers in leather goods plants
- Pattern makers, die cutters and quality inspection staff in leather production
Common Job Duties
- Cutting leather by hand with knives, clicker/die cutters or band knives
- Skiving, splitting and edge beveling to reduce thickness and finish edges
- Operating industrial sewing machines, post-bed or cylinder-bed machines and hand stitching
- Applying and drying solvent-based adhesives, glues and edge paints
- Attaching hardware (riveting, setting snaps, buckles) and operating presses
- Dyeing, heat-stamping, buffing, polishing, inspection and packing finished items
Common Injury Risks
Understanding the $7.349 Rate
The pure premium of $7.349 per $100 of payroll is an actuarial estimate of expected claim costs for Class 2688 in California; insurers use it as the loss-cost component when pricing policies. Your final workers' comp premium will reflect this pure premium plus insurer expense loads, any experience modification (X-mod), schedule or roster credits/debits, policy deductibles, state assessments and the accuracy of payroll classification and reporting.
Cal/OSHA Compliance Requirements
Cal/OSHA expectations for leather goods shops focus on a functioning Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP), hazard communication for solvents and dyes, and effective machine guarding and lockout/tagout procedures for presses and sewing equipment. Employers must control airborne solvent exposures with ventilation and respiratory protection where needed, provide PPE (gloves, eye protection) and maintain proper storage/handling for flammable adhesives and finishes.
How Key HR Helps Employers Under Class Code 2688
A PEO like Key HR helps manufacturers in Class 2688 by ensuring correct payroll classification, administering claims and return-to-work programs, and implementing targeted loss-control plans (machine guarding audits, solvent exposure controls, ergonomic interventions). Key HR provides California-specific OSHA training, centralized claim advocacy and access to pooled purchasing and safety vendors to reduce frequency and severity of claims and manage overall workers' comp costs.
Get a QuoteFrequently Asked Questions
Does an artisan leather shop with a single stitcher need Class Code 2688?
Yes — if your business performs cutting, skiving, stitching or finishing of leather goods as part of production, Class 2688 is the appropriate manufacturing code even for small shops. Retail-only sales without manufacturing are classified differently.
What practical steps lower workers' comp costs for leather goods manufacturers?
Focus on machine guarding upgrades, consistent PPE use, local exhaust ventilation for adhesives and dyes, ergonomic job rotation for sewers and cutters, prompt claims reporting and return-to-work transitional duty plans; these measures reduce frequency and severity and improve your experience modification.
How should I control solvent exposures used for glues and finishes?
Implement substitution to lower-toxicity products when possible, use local exhaust ventilation and enclosed applicators, provide appropriate respirators per exposure assessment, maintain Safety Data Sheets and training under Hazard Communication, and limit onsite quantities with proper flammable storage.
Quick Facts
- Class Code
- 2688
- Classification
- Leather Goods Mfg
- Pure Premium Rate
- $7.349 / $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 2688?
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