Class Code 3085
Foundries – Nonferrous
Class Code 3085 covers nonferrous foundry operations in California where metals such as aluminum, bronze, brass, magnesium and copper are melted, cast, and finished. The September 1, 2026 approved pure premium rate for this classification is $14.567 per $100 of payroll, a reflection of the high-severity loss potential in foundry work.
What Class Code 3085 Covers
This classification applies to businesses engaged in the full range of nonferrous foundry operations where melting and casting of nonferrous metals is the primary activity. Typical processes included are furnace charging and melting (induction, reverberatory and crucible furnaces), molding and coremaking (sand and shell molds), metal pouring and ladling, shakeout and fettling (grinding, trimming, surface finishing), heat treating and sand reclamation. It also covers associated pattern shops, mold repair, QA/inspection of castings, and in-plant maintenance related to foundry equipment. Routine office, sales, or purely administrative employees are not coded here; payroll for those workers should be assigned to office classifications.
Who It Applies To
- Aluminum casting foundries producing sand, shell or permanent-mold parts
- Brass, bronze, copper and other nonferrous foundries performing melting and pouring
- Foundry furnace operators, pourers and ladle hands
- Coremakers, molders and shakeout/fettling laborers
- Pattern shop and foundry maintenance mechanics directly working on foundry equipment
Common Job Duties
- Charging, fluxing and operating induction, reverberatory or crucible furnaces
- Pouring molten nonferrous metal into molds and monitoring casting temperatures
- Making sand molds and cores, including handling and mixing foundry sand
- Shakeout, cutting, grinding, trimming and surface finishing of castings
- Operating mold handling equipment, cranes and ladles; rigging and material movement
- Routine maintenance of furnaces, conveyors, dust collectors and mold-making machinery
- Sampling, quality inspection, and post-cast heat treatment or cleaning
Common Injury Risks
Understanding the $14.567 Rate
The approved pure premium rate of $14.567 per $100 of payroll represents the expected cost of medical and indemnity losses for this classification before insurer expenses and adjustments. To estimate premium, multiply payroll for employees assigned to 3085 by 0.14567; insurers then add expense loads, any state assessments, and apply your employer experience modification or credits. Final premium is affected by your loss history, safety programs, payroll mix, state assessments, and whether you use deductibles or retrospective rating.
Cal/OSHA Compliance Requirements
Nonferrous foundries must follow California (Title 8) workplace safety requirements including hazard communication, respiratory protection, permissible exposure limits for airborne contaminants, and controls for respirable crystalline silica and metal fumes. Additional Cal/OSHA requirements commonly applicable include machine guarding, lockout/tagout for equipment maintenance, hot work controls and welding safety, confined space entry procedures, noise monitoring and hearing conservation, and documented employee training and recordkeeping.
How Key HR Helps Employers Under Class Code 3085
A PEO like Key HR can consolidate workers' compensation coverage, provide experienced claims administration, and deliver hands-on loss control services tailored to foundry hazards (ventilation, silica controls, PPE, heat stress programs). Key HR can also manage payroll classification audits, OSHA log and reporting, return-to-work programs, and safety training to reduce claim frequency and lower long-term insurance costs for nonferrous foundries.
Get a QuoteFrequently Asked Questions
Does Class Code 3085 apply to die-casting or only sand and permanent-mold processes?
3085 is focused on nonferrous foundry operations where melting and casting are primary activities, commonly covering sand, shell, permanent-mold and many centrifugal processes. Precision die-casting operations or high-speed production die-casting may be coded differently; confirm with your broker or auditor to ensure the correct class for die-casting equipment and production methods.
What practical steps reduce workers' comp costs for a nonferrous foundry?
Key controls include engineering ventilation for fume and silica capture, mandatory PPE and heat-protective clothing, formal hot-work and confined-space programs, machine guarding and lockout/tagout, hearing conservation, and a structured return-to-work program. Consistent safety documentation, timely injury reporting and proactive claims management also lower frequency and severity of losses, which improves experience modification factors.
Which payroll should I report under 3085 versus other classifications?
Report payroll for employees directly engaged in melting, molding, pouring, shakeout/fettling, coremaking and in-plant foundry maintenance under 3085. Office, clerical, sales, warehouse-only or shipping/receiving staff should be coded to their appropriate office or warehouse classifications; correct payroll allocation is important to avoid audits and premium adjustments.
Quick Facts
- Class Code
- 3085
- Classification
- Foundries – Nonferrous
- Pure Premium Rate
- $14.567 / $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 3085?
Key HR provides California employers with pay-as-you-go workers' comp, HR compliance support, and payroll — all through one PEO partnership.