Class Code 3257
Wire Goods Mfg
Class Code 3257 covers manufacturers whose primary operations are producing finished wire goods — items formed, welded, bent, assembled, finished and packaged from drawn wire. The approved pure premium rate for California (effective September 1, 2026) is $4.921 per $100 of payroll. Knowing whether your shop belongs in 3257 matters because class assignment and loss control practices directly affect your workers' compensation premium and workplace safety obligations.
What Class Code 3257 Covers
This classification applies to facilities that fabricate finished products out of wire stock rather than making raw wire. Typical operations include wire straightening and cutting, coiling and forming, CNC wire-bending and spring-coiling, spot welding and resistance welding, brazing and soldering, mechanical assembly of wire components, and finishing processes such as deburring, grinding, plating or coating, and packaging. It also includes machine tending, trimming, inspection, and manual handling of reels, spools and finished racks. Work performed on bench-level assembly lines, press-fed wire forming machines, and automated wire-form machine cells all fall under this code when the payroll is primarily for producing finished wire goods.
Who It Applies To
- Manufacturers of wire baskets, hangers, shelving, fencing, mesh and similar finished wire goods
- Spring manufacturers and shops specializing in coiled or formed springs made from wire stock
- Operations operating wire forming, bending and coiling machines, including CNC wire benders
- Small fabrication shops that cut, weld, assemble and finish wire products
- Production machine operators, assemblers, welders, deburrers, and material handlers in wire-product plants
Common Job Duties
- Operating wire forming, coiling and CNC bending machines
- Cutting, trimming and deburring wire components
- Resistance or spot welding of wire assemblies
- Manual assembly, fitting and clinching of wire parts
- Grinding, polishing, plating or coating finished parts
- Loading/unloading spools, feeding machines, and packaging finished goods
- Inspecting parts for quality and performing minor machine adjustments
Common Injury Risks
Understanding the $4.921 Rate
The pure premium rate of $4.921 per $100 of payroll is the WCIRB-approved base cost to cover expected claim payouts for this classification before carrier adjustments. Insurers multiply that rate by your payroll in hundreds of dollars to get the base premium, then apply experience modification, schedule credits, deductible programs, state assessments and policy fees to determine the final premium. Your actual cost will vary based on your loss history, payroll distribution, claims management, and any safety or return-to-work programs that lower your experience modification.
Cal/OSHA Compliance Requirements
Cal/OSHA requirements commonly relevant to wire goods manufacturing include a written Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP), machine guarding and point-of-operation guarding, lockout/tagout procedures for maintenance, Hazard Communication for solvents and plating chemicals, respiratory protection for welding and plating fumes, and PPE such as cut-resistant gloves and eye protection. Employers must provide training, maintain records, and comply with Title 8 safety and health regulations; targeted inspections or citations are common where machine guarding, training or chemical controls are inadequate.
How Key HR Helps Employers Under Class Code 3257
A PEO like Key HR can bundle payroll and workers' compensation, manage claims and medical bill negotiation, and provide on-site or virtual safety consulting tailored to wire goods operations. We help implement IIPPs, machine-guarding audits, written lockout/tagout and respiratory protection programs, and return-to-work policies that reduce lost-time claims and improve your experience modification. For California clients, Key HR also assists with payroll allocation, audit support, and compliance documentation that insurers and regulators require.
Get a QuoteFrequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my shop should be classified under 3257 rather than a metal fabrication or electroplating class?
Classification depends on the primary payroll function. If most employees are producing finished items from wire stock — forming, coiling, welding, assembling and packaging finished wire goods — 3257 is appropriate. If your operation is primarily heavy metal fabrication, raw wire drawing, or specialized electroplating with substantial plating payroll, different class codes may apply. A payroll audit or classification review will determine the correct assignment.
Do finishing tasks like plating, powder coating or heat treating change the workers' comp classification?
Not automatically. Occasional finishing work performed incidental to wire goods manufacturing usually remains in 3257, but if plating, coating or heat treating represents a significant share of payroll, those processes may trigger a different classification. Accurate payroll tracking by department and clear job descriptions help auditors assign the correct codes.
What practical steps reduce workers' comp costs for a wire goods manufacturer?
Key measures include machine-guarding upgrades, lockout/tagout and preventive maintenance, cut-resistant PPE and training, ergonomics to reduce repetitive strain, written hazard communication and respiratory programs for welding/plating, and a formal return-to-work plan. Rapid claims reporting and proactive claims management also lower indemnity and medical costs, which reduce your experience modification over time.
Quick Facts
- Class Code
- 3257
- Classification
- Wire Goods Mfg
- Pure Premium Rate
- $4.921 / $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.
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