Class Code 3572
Medical Instrument Mfg
Class Code 3572 covers employers that manufacture, finish, assemble or test medical instruments and small medical device components in California. This classification applies to precision machining, grinding, polishing, sterilization and cleanroom assembly operations. The WCIRB-approved pure premium rate for California, effective September 1, 2026, is $0.779 per $100 of payroll.
What Class Code 3572 Covers
This code applies to shops and plants that produce surgical instruments, diagnostic components, dental tools, endoscopic accessories, and similar precision medical devices. Typical operations include CNC machining, precision grinding and polishing, wire EDM, laser cutting, electropolishing, chemical etching, surface passivation, ultrasonic cleaning, assembly under magnification, inspection, packaging and sterilization (autoclave or gas). Work may occur in standard manufacturing areas and controlled environments such as ISO cleanrooms. Activities that involve heavy fabrication of non-medical metal goods, hospital clinical care, or sales/wholesale distribution are not included in this manufacturing classification unless the employer actually fabricates the medical instruments described.
Who It Applies To
- Manufacturers of surgical instruments, dental tools, and small diagnostic device parts
- Precision CNC and manual machinists working on medical-grade components
- Assembly technicians performing cleanroom or bench assembly of instruments
- Quality control and inspection staff (visual, dimensional, and functional testing)
- Sterilization technicians operating autoclaves, ethylene oxide or other sterilizers
Common Job Duties
- Operating CNC mills, lathes, grinders and wire EDM machines to shape stainless steel, titanium or alloys
- Deburring, precision polishing, electropolishing and passivation of metallic surfaces
- Cleanroom gowning and assembly of small parts using microscopes or magnification
- Ultrasonic cleaning, solvent cleaning, and preparation for sterilization
- Loading and operating autoclaves, gas sterilizers, and monitoring sterilization cycles
- Performing incoming inspection, dimensional checks, functional testing and sterile packaging
Common Injury Risks
Understanding the $0.779 Rate
The approved pure premium rate of $0.779 per $100 of payroll represents the WCIRB's estimate of expected claim costs for this risk per $100 of wages. Insurers multiply this base rate by your payroll in that classification to calculate the pure premium portion of your premium, then adjust for factors such as your company’s experience modification (X-mod), policy-level adjustments, deductible options, and carrier expense and profit loadings. Payroll accuracy by class code and proactive loss control are key drivers of the final premium you pay.
Cal/OSHA Compliance Requirements
Cal/OSHA requirements commonly applicable include machine guarding and point-of-operation safeguards, Control of Hazardous Energy (lockout/tagout) during maintenance, Hazard Communication for solvents, acids and plating chemicals, and respiratory protection for airborne contaminants. Employers must also provide hearing conservation where noise is hazardous, ergonomic controls for repetitive assembly, training for use of autoclaves and high-temperature equipment, and maintain injury/illness logs and timely reporting of serious incidents.
How Key HR Helps Employers Under Class Code 3572
A PEO like Key HR can help medical instrument manufacturers maintain correct class coding and payroll allocation, implement targeted safety programs (machine guarding, chemical handling, ergonomics and sterilization SOPs), and provide supervisor and employee training to reduce incidents. Key HR also offers claims management, return-to-work coordination and OSHA recordkeeping support—services that together help control experience modification and lower workers' compensation costs over time.
Get a QuoteFrequently Asked Questions
If my shop both makes surgical instruments and does general metal fabrication, which payroll goes in Code 3572?
Only payroll for employees directly involved in the manufacture, finishing, assembly, testing or sterilization of medical instruments should be reported to Code 3572. General metal fabrication employees should be separately classified under their specific WCIRB code. Proper payroll segregation is critical to avoid overpaying or misclassifying risk.
What practical steps reduce workers' comp claims in a medical instrument shop?
Implement machine guarding and lockout/tagout, enforce cut-resistant gloves and tool use policies, control chemical exposures with closed systems and ventilation, provide ergonomics training for precision work, and maintain sterile processing SOPs. Regular safety audits and a light-duty return-to-work program also reduce lost-time claims and X-mod impact.
Does working in a cleanroom change the classification or premium?
Cleanroom environment alone does not change the classification if the core work—machining, assembly, inspection or sterilization of medical instruments—remains the same. Cleanroom requirements can add operational cost and specific controls (gowning, particulate control) that affect risk profile, but the WCIRB class code remains 3572 when the primary operations match the description.
Quick Facts
- Class Code
- 3572
- Classification
- Medical Instrument Mfg
- Pure Premium Rate
- $0.779 / $100 payroll
- Effective Date
- September 1, 2026
- Source
- WCIRB Approved Filing
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