Class Code 3169
Stove Or Oven Mfg; Water Heater Mfg
Class Code 3169 covers manufacturing operations that produce domestic and commercial stoves, ovens, ranges, cooktops and water heaters. The approved pure premium rate for California effective September 1, 2026 is $4.712 per $100 of payroll. Understanding this classification helps employers assign payroll correctly, control exposures on the shop floor, and manage workers' compensation costs.
What Class Code 3169 Covers
This classification applies to shop-floor manufacturing and assembly of stoves, ovens and water heaters — including metal fabrication, forming, welding and brazing of burners and tanks, electrical and gas control assembly, insulation and lining installation, surface finishing (painting/enameling or powder-coating), pressure and leak testing of water heater tanks, quality control and packaging for shipment. It covers production-line assemblers, fabricators who cut, form and weld sheet metal components, machine operators running presses and CNC equipment, test technicians who perform combustion and pressure tests, and maintenance personnel servicing production equipment. It does not apply to separate installation or field service crews who perform appliance installation or in-home repair; those activities are normally reported under different field-service classifications. Also included are pick/pack and shipping operations directly tied to the manufacturing facility when they are on the same premises.
Who It Applies To
- Commercial appliance manufacturers (stoves, ranges, ovens, cooktops)
- Water heater manufacturers and tank fabricators
- Small-batch or specialty stove makers (including custom wood- or gas-burning units)
- Factory production assemblers, welders and brazers
- In-plant QA/test technicians and production maintenance staff
Common Job Duties
- Cutting, shearing and forming sheet metal for ranges, panels and tank shells
- Welding and brazing burners, seams and tank joints; soldering and flux work
- Installing insulation, ceramic liners, glass components and enamel coatings
- Assembling gas controls, thermostats, electrical panels and wiring harnesses
- Pressure and leak testing of water heater tanks and combustion testing of burners
- Operating presses, CNC punch/laser equipment, bending rolls and finishing ovens
- Packaging, palletizing and operating forklifts or pallet jacks for shipment
Common Injury Risks
Understanding the $4.712 Rate
The pure premium rate of $4.712 per $100 of payroll represents the insurer’s estimate of expected claim costs for this class before insurer expenses and profit. To estimate premium, divide total payroll for employees in Class 3169 by 100 and multiply by 4.712. Final premiums are adjusted by each carrier’s loss cost multiplier, the employer’s experience modification (E-Mod), payroll reporting accuracy, and any policy-level credits, debits or deductible programs.
Cal/OSHA Compliance Requirements
Manufacturers in this class must follow Title 8 General Industry Safety Orders and maintain an effective Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP). Key compliance areas include machine guarding, control of hazardous energy (lockout/tagout), welding/cutting ventilation and hot-work permits, respiratory protection for fume exposures, hazard communication for solvents and coatings, confined space and pressure-testing safety, and powered industrial truck operation controls. Regular training, industrial ventilation and routine maintenance are commonly required by Cal/OSHA for these operations.
How Key HR Helps Employers Under Class Code 3169
A PEO like Key HR can centralize workers' comp administration, ensure proper class code assignment and payroll reporting, and provide direct access to experienced claim handlers who expedite care and return-to-work. Key HR can also deliver onsite safety audits, tailored training (hot work, respirator fit testing, machine guarding), loss prevention planning, and benchmarking to help reduce E-Mods and overall workers' comp spend for manufacturers in this classification.
Get a QuoteFrequently Asked Questions
Do field installers or service technicians belong in Class 3169?
No. Class 3169 applies to manufacturing and in-plant operations. Installers and field service technicians who deliver or install appliances at customer sites are typically classified under separate field-service codes and must be reported separately to avoid misclassification.
What workplace controls most reduce claims for stove, oven and water heater makers?
Controls that reduce claims include engineering safeguards (machine guarding and automated welding shields), effective local exhaust ventilation for welding and coating areas, lockout/tagout and preventive maintenance, hot-work permitting for brazing/soldering, and formal return-to-work programs that speed recovery and lower indemnity costs.
How can I lower the workers' comp cost for a small appliance factory?
Improve safety training and documentation, implement targeted engineering controls, maintain accurate payroll and class-code reporting, pursue drug-free workplace and safety incentive programs, and work with a PEO or broker to access better loss control resources and group purchasing of coverage to reduce your overall rate.
Quick Facts
- Class Code
- 3169
- Classification
- Stove Or Oven Mfg; Water Heater Mfg
- Pure Premium Rate
- $4.712 / $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 3169?
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