Class Code 3577
Printed Circuit Board Assembling
Class Code 3577 covers printed circuit board (PCB) assembling work in California, including manual and automated placement, soldering, testing and rework. The September 1, 2026 approved pure premium rate for this class is $0.984 per $100 of payroll, a starting metric employers use to estimate workers' comp costs for assembly staff.
What Class Code 3577 Covers
This classification applies to operations where electronic components are assembled onto printed circuit boards: surface-mount (SMT) pick-and-place lines, solder paste printing, reflow ovens, wave soldering, through-hole assembly, manual hand soldering, visual inspection, functional testing, conformal coating, and rework/repair stations. It covers workers operating automated equipment (SMT feeders, pick-and-place machines, conveyors) as well as technicians performing manual placement, hand soldering, component handling, and bench testing. Activities such as cleaning PCBs with solvents, applying adhesives, depaneling, and final inspection are included when performed by production assemblers. It does not include office clerical staff, separate PCB fabrication (substrate manufacture) if coded differently, or construction-type electrical installation in the field.
Who It Applies To
- SMT line operators and technicians in electronics contract manufacturing (EMS) shops
- Hand soldering assemblers and rework/repair technicians
- PCB final assembly workers in consumer-electronics or medical-device manufacturing
- Quality inspectors and functional test technicians assigned to the assembly line
- Small OEMs that perform in-house PCB assembly and repair
Common Job Duties
- Loading feeders and components into pick-and-place machines and monitoring line throughput
- Applying solder paste, operating reflow ovens and wave solder machines, and controlling temperatures
- Hand soldering and desoldering components, performing rework under microscopes
- Conducting visual inspection, AOI (automated optical inspection), and functional electrical testing
- Cleaning PCBs using solvents or aqueous cleaners and applying conformal coatings
- Depaneling boards, trimming leads, and packaging finished assemblies
Common Injury Risks
Understanding the $0.984 Rate
The pure premium rate of $0.984 per $100 of payroll is the WCIRB-approved charge that reflects expected claim costs for this class before insurer expense loads and adjustments. To estimate pure premium, divide total payroll by 100 and multiply by 0.984; insurers then apply experience modification, carrier loss costs, policy-level adjustments, state assessments, and any discounts or credits to produce the final premium. Factors that affect your actual cost include your loss history (experience modification), payroll mix across classifications, safety programs, claim frequency/severity, and whether you participate in loss-sensitive programs or deductible plans.
Cal/OSHA Compliance Requirements
PCB assembly shops must follow Cal/OSHA Title 8 General Industry safety requirements, including a written Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP). Key standards apply: Hazard Communication for chemical labeling and SDS access; respiratory protection and ventilation requirements for soldering and solvent use; control of hazardous energy (lockout/tagout) for maintenance on automated equipment; and PPE and eye protection for soldering and depaneling tasks. Local exhaust for fume capture, proper chemical storage, and medical surveillance when applicable (e.g., lead exposure) are common compliance expectations.
How Key HR Helps Employers Under Class Code 3577
A PEO like Key HR helps manufacturers in this class reduce workers' comp costs through centralized claims management, return-to-work programs, and consistent safety training (soldering best practices, fume extraction use, ergonomic workstation setup). Key HR can also ensure Cal/OSHA recordkeeping, manage drug testing and medical surveillance programs, and leverage group purchasing and experience-rating strategies to lower premiums and improve loss experience over time.
Get a QuoteFrequently Asked Questions
Do administrative staff who work near the assembly line belong in Class Code 3577?
No. Administrative and clerical employees working exclusively in office duties should be coded under office clerical classifications. Only workers performing hands-on assembly, soldering, testing, depaneling or line operation duties belong in Class Code 3577.
How can I lower my premium for PCB assemblers?
Focus on preventing common losses: install local exhaust soldering fume capture, enforce PPE and glove use, implement an ergonomic program for microscopes and repetitive tasks, maintain machine guarding and lockout/tagout, perform regular safety training, and reduce claim severity with fast, managed medical care and return-to-work policies.
How do I calculate an example premium using the $0.984 rate?
For pure premium only: divide payroll by 100 then multiply by 0.984. Example: $500,000 payroll → 500,000/100 = 5,000; 5,000 × 0.984 = $4,920 pure premium. The final billed premium will be higher after experience modification, insurer expense multipliers, state assessments, and any credits or deductible programs.
Quick Facts
- Class Code
- 3577
- Classification
- Printed Circuit Board Assembling
- Pure Premium Rate
- $0.984 / $100 payroll
- Effective Date
- September 1, 2026
- Source
- WCIRB Approved Filing
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