Class Code 4036
Plaster Board Mfg
Class Code 4036 covers gypsum/plaster board (drywall/gypsum panel) manufacturing operations in California. The September 1, 2026 approved pure premium rate is $4.948 per $100 of payroll, a baseline for workers' comp cost for plants and production lines that make plaster board.
What Class Code 4036 Covers
This classification is for facilities that produce gypsum plaster board: raw gypsum handling and calcination, continuous board forming and paper facing, setting and cutting panels, drying in tunnel dryers, finishing, and packaging. It covers all employees directly involved in the production process on the factory floor, plus ancillary operations such as raw material receiving, warehouse handling of finished panels, and on-site machine maintenance specific to the board plant. It does not cover separate businesses that install or finish gypsum board on construction sites; those installation and finishing activities fall under construction or contractor classification codes. The class includes plants that manufacture standard gypsum board and specialty boards that incorporate additives (fire-resistant, moisture-resistant, or acoustic layers), because those operations use the same core production equipment and processes.
Who It Applies To
- Plaster/gypsum board production line operators
- Plant maintenance and millwright technicians assigned to board equipment
- Raw material handlers and bulk gypsum feeders
- Dryer and kiln operators
- Quality control and lab technicians working on panel testing
- Warehouse packers and forklift operators handling finished boards
Common Job Duties
- Loading, blending, and feeding gypsum, additives, and paper facings to the continuous forming line
- Operating and monitoring the continuous board forming machine and conveyors
- Controlling drying tunnels, temperature monitoring, and adjusting dryer settings
- Cutting, trimming, sanding, and packaging finished panels
- Routine and preventive maintenance on mixers, conveyors, saws, and dryers
- Material handling with forklifts, pallet jacks, and manual panel moves
- Performing in-plant quality testing (moisture, density, adhesion) and recordkeeping
Common Injury Risks
Understanding the $4.948 Rate
The approved pure premium rate of $4.948 per $100 of payroll is the industry loss cost reflecting expected claim frequency and severity for these operations. To estimate an employer's premium, multiply that rate by total payroll/100 and then apply the insurance carrier's loss cost multiplier, policy fees, experience modification (X-mod), and any schedule credits or debits. An individual employer's final premium will vary based on claims history, payroll mix, safety controls, and the insurer's expense load and underwriting adjustments.
Cal/OSHA Compliance Requirements
Cal/OSHA requirements commonly applicable to plaster board plants include maintaining a written respiratory protection program and medical evaluations if airborne dust exceeds PELs, complying with Airborne Contaminants permissible exposure limits, effective machine guarding and lockout/tagout for equipment maintenance, and Hazard Communication for adhesives, additives and chemical handling. Employers must also provide training, exposure monitoring where required, effective ventilation and housekeeping to control dust, and hearing conservation when noise levels exceed limits.
How Key HR Helps Employers Under Class Code 4036
A PEO like Key HR can help plaster board manufacturers reduce workers' comp costs by ensuring correct payroll classification, administering return-to-work programs, and coordinating timely claims management to limit indemnity exposure. Key HR also delivers loss-control services—site safety audits, tailored respiratory and hearing programs, employee training on machine guarding and safe material handling—and leverages group purchasing to lower insurance and safety program expenses.
Get a QuoteFrequently Asked Questions
Does Class Code 4036 include gypsum board installers or only the manufacturing plant?
4036 applies to manufacturing of plaster/gypsum board on a plant production line. Installers, tapers, and on-site drywall finishers are classified under construction/installation codes, not 4036.
My plant uses additives and silica-bearing fillers — does that change classification or compliance?
The classification stays under plaster board manufacturing, but additives that include silica or other hazardous fillers increase regulatory controls: exposure monitoring, stricter respiratory protection, and possibly medical surveillance under Cal/OSHA. Those factors can increase loss experience and therefore affect premiums.
What practical steps reduce workers' comp costs for a plaster board plant?
Implement engineering controls (local exhaust ventilation, dust collectors), strict machine guarding and lockout/tagout, a written respirator program with fit testing, ergonomics for panel handling, formal return-to-work policies, and documented training. Consistent safety documentation and fast, coordinated claims management through a PEO reduce claim severity and insurance premiums over time.
Quick Facts
- Class Code
- 4036
- Classification
- Plaster Board Mfg
- Pure Premium Rate
- $4.948 / $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 4036?
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