Class Code 4041
Brick Or Clay Building Products Mfg
Class Code 4041 applies to California manufacturers that produce brick or clay building products in a plant setting, from raw clay handling through shaping, kiln firing and packaging. Typical operations include extrusion or molding, drying, glazing and kiln operations; the approved September 1, 2026 pure premium rate is $4.118 per $100 of payroll. Knowing this classification and rate matters because it sets the baseline workers' comp cost and highlights industry-specific safety exposures employers must manage.
What Class Code 4041 Covers
This classification covers industrial manufacturing of brick and other clay building products: mixing and preparing raw materials (clay, shale, sand), forming by extrusion, pressing or molding, cutting and trimming, drying chambers, kiln firing and glazing, finishing, packaging and shipping. It includes on-site activities such as crushing and pulverizing raw materials, recycling scrap, quality-control testing in plant labs, and routine kiln and equipment maintenance. Material handling with forklifts, conveyors and palletizers, and loading or unloading trucks at the plant are part of the operations covered. This code does not cover construction site masonry installation (bricklayers) or off-site installation work—those are classified under construction codes, not 4041.
Who It Applies To
- Brick manufacturers producing clay bricks, building blocks and pavers
- Producers of clay roof tiles, facing bricks and glazed clay units
- Plants that extrude, press or mold clay products and operate kilns
- Plant production workers, kiln operators and material handlers
- Maintenance mechanics who service extrusion, conveyor and kiln equipment
- Shipping/receiving and quality control technicians at brick/clay plants
Common Job Duties
- Mixing and blending raw clay, sand and additives; operating pug mills
- Operating extruders, presses, molds and cutting/trimming equipment
- Loading, operating and monitoring industrial drying rooms and kilns
- Applying glazes or surface treatments and operating glazing lines
- Packaging, palletizing and staging finished brick for shipment
- Forklift operation, bulk material handling and truck loading/unloading
- Routine preventive maintenance, kiln repairs and machine servicing
Common Injury Risks
Understanding the $4.118 Rate
The approved pure premium rate of $4.118 per $100 of payroll is the baseline cost actuaries assign to expected claim losses for this classification. To estimate premium, divide total payroll for workers in Class 4041 by 100 and multiply by 4.118 to get the pure premium; your final premium will be adjusted by your insurer for experience modification, deductible choices, policy fees and state assessments. Employer-specific factors—claim history, safety programs, correct payroll classification and participation in group rating or loss-control credits—can materially increase or decrease the actual premium paid.
Cal/OSHA Compliance Requirements
Cal/OSHA requirements most relevant to Class 4041 include controls for respirable crystalline silica (exposure monitoring, engineering controls, and medical surveillance), airborne contaminant limits and respiratory protection programs, machine guarding and lockout/tagout for presses and kilns, and heat illness prevention for employees working near kilns. Employers must also maintain Hazard Communication programs for glazes and chemicals, implement hearing conservation where noise exceeds limits, and provide training, written procedures and recordkeeping to meet California standards.
How Key HR Helps Employers Under Class Code 4041
A PEO like Key HR can help manufacturers in Class 4041 reduce workers' comp costs by ensuring accurate payroll classification, implementing Cal/OSHA-compliant safety programs (silica controls, respiratory programs, machine guarding), and managing claims and return-to-work plans to limit lost-time. Key HR provides centralized claims handling, safety audits, training materials, and access to group purchasing and loss-control resources across states—helping California brick and clay plants lower frequency and severity of claims while maintaining regulatory compliance.
Get a QuoteFrequently Asked Questions
Does Class Code 4041 include bricklayers who install masonry on construction sites?
No. Class Code 4041 is limited to manufacturing of brick or clay building products in a plant. Bricklayers and on-site masonry installation are classified under construction codes, not 4041, because the job site exposures and operations differ significantly.
What practical steps reduce silica exposure in a brick or clay plant?
Effective controls include local exhaust ventilation on crushers and cutters, wet methods for grinding and cutting, enclosed processes, housekeeping with HEPA vacuums, respiratory protection programs when controls can't reach limits, exposure monitoring and medical surveillance for employees with significant exposure.
How can we lower our workers' comp premium for this classification?
Focus on proven loss-reduction measures: implement and document a silica control plan and respiratory program, enforce machine guarding and lockout/tagout, institute return-to-work protocols to minimize indemnity payouts, ensure accurate payroll reporting and classification, and work with a PEO or insurer to pursue experience-modification improvements or group-rating opportunities.
Quick Facts
- Class Code
- 4041
- Classification
- Brick Or Clay Building Products Mfg
- Pure Premium Rate
- $4.118 / $100 payroll
- Effective Date
- September 1, 2026
- Source
- WCIRB Approved Filing
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