Class Code 3039
Reinforcing Steel Fabrication
Class code 3039 covers reinforcement steel (rebar) fabrication — the cutting, bending, tying and assembly of rebar cages, mats and assemblies used in concrete construction. California employers in fabrication shops and yards should note the September 1, 2026 approved pure premium of $7.469 per $100 of payroll when estimating workers' comp exposure.
What Class Code 3039 Covers
This classification applies to shop and yard operations that fabricate reinforcing steel components used in concrete structures. Typical activities include receiving and storing rebar, laying out bar schedules from drawings, cutting and bending rebar on mechanical benders, tying or mechanically splicing rebar into cages and mats, welding or thermit-splicing where used for fabrication, bundling and packaging for shipment, and loading finished assemblies for transport. Work performed primarily as a fabrication operation in a controlled shop or yard environment is what places employees in 3039; field placing of rebar or on-site tying/placement after delivery is generally handled under separate classifications. The class excludes unrelated structural steel erection and on-site concrete form/placement activities when those are the primary operation.
Who It Applies To
- Rebar fabrication shops and yards that cut, bend, tie, assemble and bundle reinforcement
- Specialty reinforcing steel fabricators supplying rebar cages and mats to concrete contractors
- Precast concrete plants that fabricate and install rebar cages in-house
- Shop employees such as rebar benders, ironworkers assigned to fabrication, welders and fabricators
- Material handlers and forklift/crane operators who move and load fabricated reinforcement
- Shop foremen, quality control personnel, and shipping/receiving clerks in fabrication facilities
Common Job Duties
- Interpreting bar schedules and shop drawings to lay out rebar assemblies
- Cutting rebar using mechanical shears, saws or oxy/arc cutting equipment
- Bending bar with powered bending machines and hand tools to specified shapes
- Tying and assembling cages and mats by hand or with powered tying machines
- Welding or mechanically splicing bars during fabrication when specified
- Operating forklifts, overhead cranes or hoists to move heavy bundles and finished cages
- Bundling, banding and preparing fabricated reinforcement for transport and storage
Common Injury Risks
Understanding the $7.469 Rate
The pure premium of $7.469 per $100 of payroll represents the expected cost of workers' compensation losses for this classification before insurer expenses and profit. To estimate raw premium multiply your class 3039 payroll by 0.07469 (for each $100) then apply your insurer's loss cost multiplier, minimum premiums, and any experience modification. Final premiums are affected by accurate payroll reporting, proper classification of shop vs field work, your claims history (experience mod), safety controls, and whether work is subcontracted.
Cal/OSHA Compliance Requirements
Reinforcing steel fabrication operations must follow California Title 8 requirements including the Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP) (8 CCR 3203), Hazard Communication (8 CCR 5194) for welding and cutting consumables, and the Cal/OSHA crystalline silica standard for cutting/grinding (8 CCR 5204) when applicable. Employers must implement machine guarding, lockout/tagout procedures, respiratory protection and local exhaust/ventilation for welding and cutting fumes, provide cut-resistant gloves and eye/face protection, and maintain training and written programs for confined spaces and powered industrial trucks used in the yard.
How Key HR Helps Employers Under Class Code 3039
A PEO like Key HR helps by ensuring accurate classification and payroll reporting, administering claims and return-to-work programs, and implementing industry-specific safety programs and training (welding fume controls, machine guarding, ergonomic practices). We also negotiate with carriers, pool experience where possible, and provide site-specific safety audits that can reduce claims frequency and lower the effective premium an employer pays.
Get a QuoteFrequently Asked Questions
Does class code 3039 include on-site placement of rebar after fabrication?
No. 3039 is for fabrication and yard/shop assembly. On-site placement, tying and handling during concrete operations are typically recorded under a different classification. Separate reporting of shop payroll versus field installation payroll helps ensure accurate rating.
Are welders who splice rebar covered under this class code?
Yes, welders and operators who perform splicing, arc welding or thermit welding as part of shop fabrication are generally included in 3039. However, specialty structural welding performed outside the fabrication scope may be classified differently.
What practical steps reduce workers' comp costs for a rebar fabrication shop?
Key steps include instituting a documented safety program (IIPP), machine guarding and lockout/tagout, PPE enforcement, respiratory controls for cutting/grinding, material handling engineering to reduce manual lifts, pre-shift safety briefings, and a formal return-to-work/light-duty process to limit lost-time claims.
Quick Facts
- Class Code
- 3039
- Classification
- Reinforcing Steel Fabrication
- Pure Premium Rate
- $7.469 / $100 payroll
- Effective Date
- September 1, 2026
- Source
- WCIRB Approved Filing
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