Class Code 3082
Foundries – Steel Castings
California WCIRB Class Code 3082 covers operations in steel casting foundries where molten steel is produced, poured, and finished into castings. The September 1, 2026 approved pure premium rate is $14.576 per $100 of payroll, making accurate classification and proactive safety crucial for cost control.
What Class Code 3082 Covers
This classification applies to foundry operations that manufacture steel castings: pattern and core making, molding (sand or shell), melting and holding of molten steel (cupolas, induction, or electric furnaces), pouring and ladling, shakeout and cooling, fettling (removal of gates and risers), grinding, heat treating, and inspection of steel castings. It covers employees directly involved in handling molten metal, sand and refractory materials, and finishing castings; it does not include separate machine shop work that is separately coded when performed in distinct operations. Typical exposures include handling heavy ladles, use of grinding wheels and abrasive tools, abrasive blasting, and sand reclamation operations. Work in associated processes such as degating, gating, and riser removal, plus core repair and pattern maintenance, are included when performed in the foundry operation.
Who It Applies To
- Steel foundry owners and managers producing castings for heavy equipment, automotive, pumps, valves, and industrial machinery
- Melters and furnace operators (induction, electric arc, or cupola)
- Pourers, ladle operators, and casting handlers
- Core makers, molders (sand or shell), and patternmakers working on steel patterns
- Fettlers, grinders, and finishing personnel who remove gates and grind castings
- Sand plant and reclamation operators handling used foundry sand
Common Job Duties
- Charging and operating furnaces, tapping and transferring molten steel into ladles
- Pouring molten metal into molds and monitoring pour temperature and flow
- Preparing molds and cores using green sand, chemically bonded sand, or shell processes
- Removing castings from molds (shakeout), separating gating and risers, and cutting off gates
- Fettling, grinding, and abrasive finishing to meet dimensional and surface specs
- Operating sand reclamation equipment, dust collectors, and mold cooling systems
- Inspecting castings, performing heat treatment cycles, and documenting quality
Common Injury Risks
Understanding the $14.576 Rate
The pure premium rate of $14.576 per $100 of payroll represents the portion of premium allocated to expected claim costs for losses only. To calculate base premium, multiply payroll for employees coded to 3082 by the rate and divide by 100; insurers then apply experience modification factors, schedule credits/debits, deductible or retrospective adjustments, and state assessments to determine the final premium an employer pays.
Cal/OSHA Compliance Requirements
Cal/OSHA requirements particularly relevant to steel foundries include maintaining an effective Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP), controls and monitoring for respirable crystalline silica and metal fumes, respiratory protection programs when needed, machine guarding and lockout/tagout for equipment, and hearing conservation for high-noise operations. Employers must also comply with hazard communication for binders and welding materials, provide proper training and PPE for molten metal handling, and implement heat stress prevention when indoor temperatures or radiant heat create risk.
How Key HR Helps Employers Under Class Code 3082
A PEO like Key HR can help foundry employers by ensuring correct payroll classification, bundling payroll and workers' comp to reduce misclassification, and providing access to experienced loss-control consultants who implement silica controls, ventilation, PPE, and hearing programs. Key HR also manages claims and return-to-work programs, analyzes loss runs for targeted interventions, and can help negotiate better pricing through pooled purchasing and stronger safety performance.
Get a QuoteFrequently Asked Questions
Are patternmakers and mold makers included in Class Code 3082?
Yes — patternmakers, core makers, and molders who work directly in steel casting foundry operations are typically coded to 3082. If these activities are performed in a separate, non-foundry shop or by outside contractors, those payrolls may be coded differently.
What steps reduce workers' comp costs for steel foundries?
Key measures include engineering controls for silica and fume capture, local exhaust ventilation at pour and grinding stations, enclosed ladle handling and automated pouring where feasible, robust PPE and respiratory programs, a formal hearing conservation program, and an active return-to-work program to shorten claim durations — all of which lower experience modification over time.
Should machining of castings be coded to 3082 or another class?
If machining or precision metalworking is a substantial, separate operation (e.g., a machine shop), those payrolls are often assigned a machining class code different from 3082. When machining is incidental to finishing within the foundry, it is usually included in 3082. Accurate time and payroll tracking will determine proper classification.
Quick Facts
- Class Code
- 3082
- Classification
- Foundries – Steel Castings
- Pure Premium Rate
- $14.576 / $100 payroll
- Effective Date
- September 1, 2026
- Source
- WCIRB Approved Filing
Manage Workers' Comp Through a PEO
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