Class Code 3574
Machine Mfg; Golf Club/Fishing Rod Mfg, Repair Or Assembly
Class code 3574 applies to businesses that machine, assemble or repair golf clubs and fishing rods, including production shops and specialty repair services. The California approved pure premium rate is $2.197 per $100 of payroll, which matters because it forms the core of your workers' comp cost for employees doing these hands-on manufacturing and repair operations.
What Class Code 3574 Covers
This classification covers shops and factory operations that manufacture, machine, assemble, finish or repair golf clubs and fishing rods. Typical operations include CNC turning and milling of metal club heads and ferrules, cutting and shaping graphite or fiberglass shafts, filament winding or shaft wrapping, adhesive and epoxy application and curing, grinding, polishing, plating and painting of heads and guides, installation of grips and guides, dynamic balancing and functional testing, plus repair work such as regripping, guide replacement and ferrule repair. It includes both automated production lines and small specialty shops doing custom or prototype work, where workers are exposed to machining tools, ovens/curing equipment, solvents, resins and finishing chemicals. Office staff and retail-only salespeople are excluded unless they also perform the hands-on manufacturing, repair or assembly tasks described.
Who It Applies To
- Independent golf club manufacturers and OEM production shops
- Fishing rod manufacturers and custom rod builders
- Repair shops offering regripping, rewrapping, guide replacement or rod/club refurbishment
- CNC machine operators, assemblers and finishers in club/rod production
- Custom club fitters and technicians who perform hands-on assembly or repair
- Quality control technicians who dynamically test and balance finished products
Common Job Duties
- Operating CNC lathes, mills and drill presses to machine heads, ferrules and fittings
- Cutting, shaping and wrapping graphite or fiberglass shafts and applying epoxy/resin
- Grinding, sanding, polishing and finishing club heads or rod blanks and painting/plating
- Installing grips, ferrules, guides and performing dynamic balance and performance testing
- Running curing ovens, filament winding machines or adhesive application stations
- Repair tasks such as regripping, guide replacement, ferrule repair and assembly reworks
Common Injury Risks
Understanding the $2.197 Rate
The approved pure premium rate of $2.197 per $100 of payroll represents the portion of your workers' comp premium allocated to expected claim costs for this class. Insurers multiply that base rate by your payroll (divided by 100) to calculate the loss cost portion, then apply policy-specific factors—experience modification, insurer expense loads, state assessments, schedule credits, deductibles and any classification splits—to determine the final premium you pay. Key factors that change your effective premium include your actual payroll mix, claims history, safety controls, accuracy of class coding and any return-to-work programs.
Cal/OSHA Compliance Requirements
Workers in this class must follow Cal/OSHA General Industry requirements for machine guarding and control of hazardous energy (lockout/tagout) to prevent entanglement and amputation hazards. Employers need a Hazard Communication (GHS) program for adhesives, solvents and resins, a written respiratory protection program when airborne dust or VOCs exceed exposure limits, and local exhaust ventilation for sanding, grinding and curing operations. Proper PPE (cut-resistant gloves, eye protection, respirators, hearing protection) and training on safe machine operation, confined spaces around ovens, and ergonomic controls for repetitive tasks are also required.
How Key HR Helps Employers Under Class Code 3574
A PEO like Key HR helps shops in this classification by ensuring correct payroll classification and audits to avoid misclassification and surprise audits. We administer claims management and return-to-work programs, provide California-specific safety templates (machine guarding, lockout/tagout, HAZCOM and respiratory programs), coordinate training on safe handling of composites and epoxies, and use loss-control consulting to reduce frequency and severity of claims—helping to lower your experience modifier and overall workers' comp costs.
Get a QuoteFrequently Asked Questions
If my shop both assembles custom clubs and sells retail equipment, should those employees be in class 3574?
Employees who perform hands-on machining, wrapping, finishing or repair of clubs/rods belong in class 3574. Retail sales-only staff should be classified separately. When employees split duties, payroll should be allocated to each class based on time spent in hands-on manufacturing/repair versus retail duties.
Will upgrading ventilation and using respirators reduce my premium?
Improved engineering controls (local exhaust ventilation) and a documented respiratory protection program reduce exposure and claim risk, which can lower loss frequency. While direct premium reductions depend on claims experience and underwriting, these controls support lower experience mod factors and better underwriting reviews over time.
Do repair-only businesses pay a different rate than full manufacturers under 3574?
Both manufacturer and repair operations performing the same hands-on machining, finishing or repair activities fall under 3574, so the pure premium rate is the same. Premium differences come from payroll size, claims history, and any experience modification or policy-level adjustments rather than the repair vs. full manufacture distinction alone.
Quick Facts
- Class Code
- 3574
- Classification
- Machine Mfg; Golf Club/Fishing Rod Mfg, Repair Or Assembly
- Pure Premium Rate
- $2.197 / $100 payroll
- Effective Date
- September 1, 2026
- Source
- WCIRB Approved Filing
Manage Workers' Comp Through a PEO
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