Class Code 3383
Jewelry Mfg; Clock Mfg; Watch Mfg; Trophy Mfg
Class Code 3383 covers manufacturing and finishing of jewelry, clocks, watches and trophies — bench work, casting, plating, engraving and assembly. The California approved pure premium rate is $2.813 per $100 of payroll, which informs workers' comp pricing for employers in these trades. Understanding this classification helps you manage exposure, controls, and payroll reporting correctly.
What Class Code 3383 Covers
This classification applies to facilities that fabricate, finish or assemble small metal and plastic articles such as jewelry, watches, clocks and trophies. Typical operations include bench jeweler work (sizing, stone setting, soldering), lost-wax casting, polishing and buffing, engraving and stamping, electroplating and chemical cleaning, and small-part assembly and inspection. It covers both handwork at benches and light machine operations like micro-lathes, small presses, bench grinders, tumblers and laser or mechanical engraving equipment. Businesses that design, mass-produce, repair or finish decorative metalwork for retail or wholesale sale generally fall under this code when the work is primarily small-item manufacturing rather than heavy fabrication.
Who It Applies To
- Independent bench jewelers and storefront jewelry manufacturers
- Watch and clock assemblers, technicians, and repair shops
- Small-scale trophy and award manufacturers (engraving, plating, assembly)
- Electroplating and finishing shops handling small articles
- Manufacturers or repair businesses specializing in custom metal/stone work
Common Job Duties
- Hand soldering and torch work for joining metal components
- Stone setting, filing, sawing, engraving and precision assembly at a bench
- Casting operations including investment/lost-wax and finishing castings
- Polishing, buffing and tumbling to finish surfaces
- Electroplating, stripping and chemical cleaning of metal parts
- Machine operation of small lathes, drills, presses, and engraving equipment
- Quality inspection, measuring, and packaging of finished pieces
Common Injury Risks
Understanding the $2.813 Rate
The pure premium rate of $2.813 per $100 of payroll is the insurer's charge to cover expected claim costs for this classification before adjustments. To estimate premium, multiply that rate by total payroll for employees assigned to 3383, divide by 100, then apply your experience modification, insurer expense loadings, policy fees and any credits or debits. Final cost is affected by your loss history, payroll accuracy and classification audits, safety programs, state assessments and deductible or retention choices.
Cal/OSHA Compliance Requirements
California employers in this classification must implement a written Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP) and maintain SDSs and training consistent with Cal/OSHA hazard communication rules. Specific compliance areas include machine guarding for lathes and presses, local exhaust ventilation for polishing and plating operations, a respiratory protection program when fumes or particulates exceed permissible limits, and controls for chemical hazards used in plating and cleaning. Employers should also address PPE selection (eye protection, chemical-resistant gloves), lockout/tagout for maintenance, and noise and ergonomic controls for repetitive benchwork.
How Key HR Helps Employers Under Class Code 3383
A PEO like Key HR can reduce administrative burden and help manage workers' comp costs by ensuring correct classification and payroll reporting, implementing safety and return-to-work programs tailored to jewelry/watch/trophy shops, and coordinating timely claims handling. Key HR can provide access to industry-specific safety training, SDS management, loss-run analysis, and connections to insurers experienced with small-item manufacturing to lower frequency and severity of claims.
Get a QuoteFrequently Asked Questions
Which employees should be assigned to Class Code 3383 versus another manufacturing code?
Assign employees whose primary job duties are bench-level jewelry/watch/trophy fabrication, finishing, plating or engraving to 3383. If a worker spends most time in heavy metalworking, fabrication of large assemblies, or unrelated retail duties, they may belong in a different classification. Keep timesheets and job descriptions to support classification at audit.
What practical steps can a small jeweler take to reduce workers' comp premiums?
Focus on preventing common claims: provide cut-resistant and chemical-resistant gloves, safety glasses, local exhaust ventilation at polishers and soldering stations, training on torch and chemical safety, an active return-to-work program for light duty, and accurate payroll reporting. Maintaining low claim frequency and severity drives down experience modification factors.
Do bench jewelers need respirators for polishing or plating work?
Respirator use depends on exposure levels determined by a hazard assessment. Local exhaust ventilation is preferred for polishing dust and plating fumes; if engineering controls cannot keep exposures below limits, a written respiratory protection program and appropriate respirators are required under Cal/OSHA.
Quick Facts
- Class Code
- 3383
- Classification
- Jewelry Mfg; Clock Mfg; Watch Mfg; Trophy Mfg
- Pure Premium Rate
- $2.813 / $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 3383?
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