Class Code 3568
Electrical Connector Mfg
Class code 3568 covers employers who manufacture electrical connectors, terminals, headers and related metal/plastic housings in California. The WCIRB-approved pure premium for this classification effective September 1, 2026 is $2.038 per $100 of payroll, which reflects the expected cost of claims before insurer expenses and adjustments.
What Class Code 3568 Covers
This classification applies to facilities that produce electrical connectors and connector assemblies: metal stamping and forming of terminals, progressive-die operations, CNC machining of connector components, injection molding of plastic housings, manual and automated crimping/assembly, soldering and final electrical continuity testing. It covers both short-run contract manufacturing and higher-volume production lines where employees fabricate, finish, inspect and pack connector parts. Operations that include plating, chemical surface treatment, heavy cable harness assembly, or outsourced wire harness work should be reviewed separately because those processes can carry different hazards and may require additional classification or payroll split reporting. Maintenance, tool-and-die repair, and in-plant machine setup work directly supporting connector production are included when performed by facility employees.
Who It Applies To
- Manufacturers of metal terminals, pin headers, sockets and connector housings
- Electronics contract manufacturers that assemble connector components
- Press operators and die-set technicians working on stamping lines
- Manual assemblers and crimping technicians on connector assembly benches
- Quality control / electrical test technicians performing continuity and performance testing
- In-house maintenance and tool & die shops that service connector production equipment
Common Job Duties
- Operating progressive stamping presses and feed equipment to produce terminals
- CNC machining and secondary operations (deburring, tapping, bending) on connector parts
- Injection molding and trimming of plastic connector housings
- Manual or pneumatic crimping of terminals to contacts and wire assemblies
- Soldering, reflow, and hand-solder operations on connector assemblies
- Electrical continuity, contact resistance and functional testing of finished connectors
- Packing, labeling and preparing connector shipments
Common Injury Risks
Understanding the $2.038 Rate
The pure premium of $2.038 per $100 of payroll represents the WCIRB's estimate of the expected cost of lost-time and medical claims for this class before insurer overhead, profit and assessments. To calculate premium, insurers multiply payroll (in hundreds) by the pure premium, then apply company-specific factors such as the insurer's expense load, experience modification, state assessments, and any schedule rating or deductible programs. Employers with better-than-average claims history, formal return-to-work programs, or participation in safety incentive/deduction programs will typically pay lower final premiums than the pure premium alone would imply.
Cal/OSHA Compliance Requirements
Cal/OSHA requirements highly relevant to connector manufacturing include a written Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP), machine guarding and point-of-operation safeguards for presses, lockout/tagout (control of hazardous energy) for maintenance, and Hazard Communication for solvents, fluxes and plating chemistries. Employers must also address ventilation for soldering and flux fumes, noise monitoring and hearing conservation where press noise exceeds limits, and electrical safety practices consistent with Cal/OSHA and NFPA 70E guidance for test and repair work.
How Key HR Helps Employers Under Class Code 3568
A PEO like Key HR can centralize workers' comp administration, ensure payroll is reported to the correct class codes, and implement targeted loss-control programs—machine guarding audits, LOTO procedures, soldering fume controls, and ergonomics for crimping stations—to lower claim frequency. Key HR also manages claims and return-to-work coordination to reduce lost-time, helps document training and safety programs for auditor reviews, and can place clients in group or alternative rating plans that may reduce premiums compared with standalone policies.
Get a QuoteFrequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my shop should use class code 3568?
If your primary business operation is manufacturing electrical connectors, terminals, headers or plastic housings and your employees operate presses, molding machines, crimping stations and perform soldering/testing, 3568 is typically appropriate. If significant work involves plating, heavy cable harness assembly, or separate wire-harness fabrication, those processes may require separate codes or payroll splits—consult your auditor or Key HR to confirm classification.
What practical steps lower workers' comp costs for connector manufacturers?
Focus on machine guarding and maintenance to prevent crush/amputation claims, implement lockout/tagout for equipment servicing, provide ergonomic workstations for crimping tasks, control soldering fumes and chemical exposures, and develop a formal return-to-work program. Consistent training and timely light-duty placements reduce lost-time and improve your experience modification factor.
Does soldering or electroplating change my classification or premiums?
Soldering adds thermal and fume exposure hazards but usually remains within the connector manufacturing classification; however, electroplating or extensive chemical surface treatments introduce additional hazards and regulatory requirements and may trigger separate classification or payroll reporting. Disclose these operations to your broker or Key HR so payroll is split correctly and the insurer assesses the appropriate exposures.
Quick Facts
- Class Code
- 3568
- Classification
- Electrical Connector Mfg
- Pure Premium Rate
- $2.038 / $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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