Class Code 4038
Plaster Or Concrete Statuary Or Ornament Mfg; Taxidermist
Class Code 4038 covers businesses that manufacture plaster or concrete statuary and decorative ornaments and those that perform taxidermy work. This niche classification combines studio production hazards (mixing, casting, grinding, finishing) and taxidermy-specific exposures (preservatives, biological material). The approved California pure premium for Sept 1, 2026 is $7.115 per $100 of payroll.
What Class Code 4038 Covers
This classification applies to shops and studios that fabricate, cast, finish or repair decorative pieces made from plaster, gypsum, cement or concrete — including molds, ornamental trim, reproduction statuary and small architectural ornaments. It also covers taxidermy operations that skin, tan, preserve, mount and finish animal specimens for display or sale. Covered work includes mixing powders and resins, pouring and demolding castings, grinding and sanding finished pieces, surface finishing and painting, and the full range of taxidermy processes from fleshing to mounting. It does not cover large-scale on-site monument installation tied to construction trade classifications or sculptors whose primary work is heavy stone carving at construction sites.
Who It Applies To
- Small plaster or concrete ornament and statuary manufacturers (studio shops)
- Prop and set shops producing decorative castings
- Taxidermy shops and independent taxidermists
- Museum preparators and restoration specialists handling plaster replicas
- Retailers who fabricate in-store decorative ornaments (small production)
Common Job Duties
- Weighing and mixing plaster, cement, resins and additives for molds and castings
- Pouring into molds, demolding and curing castings
- Grinding, sanding and finishing surfaces; applying sealers and paints
- Cutting, fleshing, tanning, preserving and mounting animal hides (taxidermy)
- Using power tools (sanders, grinders), mixers and vacuum systems
- Cleaning work areas, handling mold release agents and disposing of waste materials
Common Injury Risks
Understanding the $7.115 Rate
The pure premium of $7.115 per $100 of payroll is the WCIRB-approved base cost that reflects expected claim costs for this classification before insurer loadings. To calculate premium, multiply employer payroll in this class (in hundreds) by $7.115, then insurers apply underwriting factors: experience modification, policy fees, carrier loss-sensitive adjustments, and any schedule credits or debits. Employers can lower the final premium by improving loss experience, correctly classifying payroll, and implementing documented loss-control programs.
Cal/OSHA Compliance Requirements
Cal/OSHA requirements commonly triggered for this work include an Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP), Hazard Communication with up-to-date SDSs for plaster additives, resins and preservatives, and the Respiratory Protection standard where dusts or vapors exceed limits. Operations that generate silica dust or use formaldehyde require exposure monitoring and medical surveillance when action levels are exceeded, and engineering controls such as local exhaust ventilation, HEPA vacuuming and wet methods are strongly required. Lockout/tagout and machine-guarding rules apply to mixers, grinders and saws; taxidermists should also follow bloodborne pathogen and hazardous substance guidance when working with preserved specimens and certain chemicals.
How Key HR Helps Employers Under Class Code 4038
Key HR can help employers in Class Code 4038 by ensuring payroll is properly coded, administering workers' comp claims, and providing targeted loss-prevention programs (respiratory protection, silica controls, chemical handling and sharps safety). We facilitate training, respirator fit-testing and SDS management, run return-to-work programs to reduce indemnity costs, and leverage pooled purchasing and experience management to lower overall workers' comp expense for California studios and taxidermy shops.
Get a QuoteFrequently Asked Questions
Does my sculpture studio belong in Class Code 4038 or a different code?
Use 4038 when the shop’s primary activity is manufacturing plaster or concrete decorative pieces in a studio setting. If the business primarily installs large stone monuments or performs on-site construction, a construction or masons classification will usually apply instead.
What specific controls reduce silica risk in a small casting shop?
Implement wet cutting/sanding, local exhaust ventilation at grinders, HEPA-filtered vacuums for cleanup, respiratory protection when controls aren’t feasible, and exposure monitoring plus medical surveillance when levels exceed action limits.
Are taxidermy chemicals regulated and do workers need medical surveillance?
Yes—chemicals like formaldehyde and phenol have exposure limits and trigger requirements for monitoring, medical surveillance and training when exposures exceed regulatory limits. Hazard Communication, PPE and proper ventilation are essential to compliance.
Quick Facts
- Class Code
- 4038
- Classification
- Plaster Or Concrete Statuary Or Ornament Mfg; Taxidermist
- Pure Premium Rate
- $7.115 / $100 payroll
- Effective Date
- September 1, 2026
- Source
- WCIRB Approved Filing
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