Class Code 4244
Corrugated Or Fiber Board Container Mfg
Class Code 4244 covers manufacturers that produce corrugated or fiber-board containers — box plants and converting operations that run corrugators, die cutters, folder-gluers and related equipment. The September 1, 2026 approved pure premium rate for this class is $5.089 per $100 of payroll, a baseline used by insurers to price workers' compensation for these operations.
What Class Code 4244 Covers
This classification applies to facilities that convert paperboard into corrugated cartons, trays, partitions and related shipping containers. Typical operations include feeding and corrugating paper rolls, single- and double-facer stations, flexographic printing, rotary or flatbed die-cutting, slotting, folding/gluing (folder-gluers), stacking, stitching, hand assembly, palletizing and stretch-wrapping. It also covers routine machine setup, tooling changes, preventive maintenance performed on production equipment, and the plant-level inspection and quality control tasks tied directly to container manufacturing. Activities limited to clerical office work, third‑party warehousing without manufacturing, or purely retail packaging are usually classified separately.
Who It Applies To
- Corrugated box and fiberboard container manufacturers (plant floor staff)
- Die-cutting, printing, slotting and folder-gluer operators
- Maintenance mechanics and industrial electricians servicing corrugating equipment
- Material handlers and forklift operators handling raw rolls and finished stacks
- Quality control technicians and production line supervisors in box plants
Common Job Duties
- Operating corrugators, single- and double-facer units and feeding large paper rolls
- Setting up and running rotary or flatbed die cutters, slotters and folder-gluers
- Adjusting glue applicators, ink stations and conducting print quality checks
- Performing preventive maintenance, tool changes and machine cleaning under lockout/tagout
- Stacking, palletizing and securing finished cartons; operating forklifts or pallet jacks
- Inspecting finished product, measuring flutes and board liner defects, and rejecting faulty units
Common Injury Risks
Understanding the $5.089 Rate
The pure premium of $5.089 per $100 of payroll represents the expected cost of medical and indemnity claims for this class before insurer expenses and profit. To calculate pure premium, insurers multiply that rate by payroll/100; final premiums then include insurer expense loads, policy limits, credits/discounts and your experience modification (loss history). Accurate class assignment, effective loss-control programs and a low claims history are the main levers to reduce what you actually pay.
Cal/OSHA Compliance Requirements
Cal/OSHA places strong emphasis on machine guarding and control of hazardous energy — lockout/tagout procedures must be in place whenever workers service corrugating, cutting or printing equipment. Employers must comply with Hazard Communication for adhesives and inks, provide respirators when dust or solvent exposure exceeds permissible limits, implement hearing conservation when noise exceeds 85 dBA, and ensure powered industrial truck operator training and supervision. Maintain injury and illness records and perform routine safety inspections tailored to corrugated manufacturing hazards.
How Key HR Helps Employers Under Class Code 4244
As a PEO, Key HR can act as the workers' comp administrator and employer-of-record to centralize coverage, handle claims management, and implement tailored loss-control programs for corrugated plants. We provide on-site risk assessments, machine-guarding audits, operator and lockout/tagout training, return-to-work coordination, and payroll classification reviews to help control premiums and keep production running safely.
Get a QuoteFrequently Asked Questions
Do shipping and warehouse employees fall under Class Code 4244?
Only when their primary duties are part of the corrugated manufacturing process (e.g., stacking, palletizing and packing finished cartons on the plant floor). Workers whose duties are primarily warehousing, distribution, or clerical are typically assigned different class codes, so accurate job-by-job classification is essential.
What practical steps lower workers' comp costs for a corrugated plant?
Prioritize machine guarding, documented lockout/tagout, preventive maintenance, powered truck training, hearing and respiratory programs, and early-return-to-work policies. Accurate payroll reporting and partnering with a PEO for claims handling and safety training also reduce losses and experience modification factors.
Are temporary and seasonal employees covered under this class code?
Yes—coverage and classification depend on the work performed, not employment length. Temporary staff doing production-line, die-cutting or maintenance tasks should be reported under the manufacturing classification. Clarify whether temps are employees or contractors and ensure payroll reporting reflects their duties.
Quick Facts
- Class Code
- 4244
- Classification
- Corrugated Or Fiber Board Container Mfg
- Pure Premium Rate
- $5.089 / $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 4244?
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