Class Code 3683
Speaker Mfg
Class Code 3683 covers manufacturers that design, assemble and test loudspeakers, drivers and related audio components. The California WCIRB pure premium rate for this class is $0.453 per $100 of payroll, which matters because it establishes the base cost of workers compensation for these operations.
What Class Code 3683 Covers
This classification applies to shops and factories that manufacture speakers and related acoustic components — including assembly of drivers (voice coils, cones, dust caps), magnet installation, cabinet fabrication and finishing, electrical wiring and final audio testing. It covers both small-batch/custom speaker builders and production-line manufacturers so long as the primary operations are speaker or speaker-component production. Activities include winding voice coils, soldering and crimping electrical connections, operating presses and cutting machinery for cabinets, spray or hand finishing of speaker enclosures, and bench-level quality testing of acoustic performance. Office, sales, and shipping clerical employees are typically classified separately; this code is specific to production and direct manufacturing labor.
Who It Applies To
- Commercial speaker and driver manufacturers (assembly lines and bench shops)
- Custom and boutique speaker builders who fabricate cabinets and assemble drivers
- Technicians operating coil-winding machines and magnet-install stations
- Workers doing cabinet cutting, routing, sanding, and spray finishing
- Quality control/test technicians performing acoustic and electrical tests
- Low- to mid-volume contract manufacturers that produce speaker components
Common Job Duties
- Winding voice coils on manual or automatic coil-winding machines
- Assembling drivers: mounting cones, attaching spiders and dust caps
- Soldering and wiring crossover components and terminal connections
- Cutting, routing, laminating and sanding speaker cabinets and baffles
- Installing and aligning permanent magnets and motor assemblies
- Spray or hand-finishing cabinets (painting, staining, clear coating)
- Electrical and acoustic testing (impedance, frequency response, burn-in)
Common Injury Risks
Understanding the $0.453 Rate
The approved pure premium rate of $0.453 per $100 of payroll is the WCIRBs base cost for expected claim payments for this class. Insurers multiply that rate by your payroll (divided by 100) to get the base premium, then adjust it for your company's experience modification, insurer expense loads, policy fees, and any group or schedule credits. Final premium is affected by your claims history, payroll mix, safety programs, and whether you participate in group rating or other discounts.
Cal/OSHA Compliance Requirements
Speaker manufacturing must comply with Cal/OSHA general industry requirements including an Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP), hazard communication and SDS management for adhesives and solvents, appropriate respiratory protection and ventilation for spray finishing, and machine guarding plus lockout/tagout for presses, winding equipment and routers. Employers must also address noise exposure and hearing conservation when testing or burn-in operations expose workers to high sound levels, and provide training, PPE and maintenance records for all covered hazards.
How Key HR Helps Employers Under Class Code 3683
A PEO like Key HR can help speaker manufacturers lower workers comp costs by consolidating payroll for group-rating opportunities, managing claims and return-to-work programs to reduce indemnity losses, and providing targeted loss-control services (machine-guarding audits, hearing-conservation plans, respirator programs and training). Key HRs compliance support and safety consulting help ensure Cal/OSHA requirements are documented and enforced, which can reduce audits and improve experience modification factors over time.
Get a QuoteFrequently Asked Questions
Do small custom speaker builders belong in class code 3683?
Yes — custom and boutique shops that fabricate cabinets and assemble drivers are normally classed in 3683 when manufacturing speakers is their primary activity. If the business is primarily woodworking or cabinetmaking with incidental speaker work, payroll allocation and class assignment should be discussed with your insurer or PEO.
What are the most effective controls for reducing chemical and noise hazards in speaker production?
Engineering controls are best: local exhaust and spray booths for finishes, enclosed test rooms or sound-dampening enclosures for high-SPL testing, and machine guards/automated feeding for winding and presses. Administrative controls and PPE (respirators, gloves, hearing protection) plus thorough SDS management and training complete the program.
How should payroll be reported if my shop does both speaker assembly and electronics PCB work?
Payroll must be allocated to the class code that accurately reflects each employees duties. If employees split time between manufacturing speakers and other electronic assembly, report payroll proportionally by actual time worked in each operation. Accurate payroll reporting at audit prevents misclassification and unexpected premium adjustments.
Quick Facts
- Class Code
- 3683
- Classification
- Speaker Mfg
- Pure Premium Rate
- $0.453 / $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 3683?
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