Class Code 4286
Bag Mfg – Plastic
Class Code 4286 covers manufacturers that produce plastic bags and related converting operations. The September 1, 2026 approved pure premium rate for California is $7.145 per $100 of payroll — an important factor in budgeting workers' comp for plastic bag operations.
What Class Code 4286 Covers
This classification applies to facilities that melt and extrude plastic resin into film, convert film into bags, and perform associated operations such as blown-film extrusion, casting, printing, laminating, slitting, heat-sealing, cutting and bag assembly. It includes both continuous production lines and manual converting lines used to make grocery, produce, retail, refuse, and industrial bags from polyethylene, polypropylene or similar thermoplastics. Ancillary operations tied directly to bag production—ink mixing and application for printing, adhesive/laminate bonding, inline inspection, and packing/palletizing—are also included. Activities that are purely separate businesses (for example large-scale commercial printing or unrelated warehousing) may be classified differently if they are distinct operations.
Who It Applies To
- Blown-film and cast-film extrusion mills producing bag film
- Converters that slit, laminate, print, heat-seal and cut film into bags
- Machine operators on extrusion, slitter/winder, sealer and printing lines
- Maintenance and mechanics servicing extruders, rollers and heaters
- Quality control technicians, line setup and press operators
- Packers, forklift operators, and material handlers in bag plants
Common Job Duties
- Operating extrusion and blown-film lines, monitoring melt temperature and line speed
- Setting up and running slitting, winding and heat-seal equipment
- Operating and maintaining flexographic or gravure printing presses used on film
- Changing dies, knives and rolls; aligning web guides and tension controls
- Routine equipment maintenance, lubrication and lockout/tagout procedures
- Packing, palletizing and loading bags; operating forklifts or pallet jacks
- Visual inspection and quality testing of film thickness, seals and print registration
Common Injury Risks
Understanding the $7.145 Rate
The pure premium rate of $7.145 per $100 of payroll represents the portion of premium allocated to pay workers' compensation benefits (medical and indemnity) based on industry loss experience. Insurers and PEOs use this rate with an employer's payroll, experience modification, state assessments and policy audit adjustments to calculate the final premium an employer pays.
Cal/OSHA Compliance Requirements
Cal/OSHA requirements commonly applicable include comprehensive machine guarding of nip points and moving parts, written lockout/tagout (control of hazardous energy) programs for maintenance, and ventilation/respiratory protection where fumes or VOCs are present. Employers must maintain Hazard Communication (HazCom) for resins, inks and additives, implement hearing conservation where noise exposures exceed limits, and provide PPE and training specific to hot equipment and cutting operations.
How Key HR Helps Employers Under Class Code 4286
A PEO like Key HR can centralize payroll classification, file accurate California reporting, and negotiate workers' comp coverage while providing targeted loss-control services—machine guarding audits, LOTO program development, respiratory and HazCom programs, and training for press and extrusion operators. Key HR also manages claims and return-to-work programs to reduce indemnity exposure and improve an employer's experience modification over time.
Get a QuoteFrequently Asked Questions
Does printing or laminating film as part of bag converting fall under Class Code 4286?
Yes. Printing, laminating and other converting steps performed as an integral part of plastic bag manufacturing are typically included under 4286. Standalone commercial printing operations that are not tied directly to bag production may be classified differently.
What steps lower my workers' comp exposure in a plastic bag plant?
Focus on machine guarding, formal lockout/tagout, blade-change procedures, ventilation and respiratory protection for inks/solvents, ergonomics for packing operations, and a documented hearing conservation program. Consistent training and a proactive return-to-work plan also reduce claims and improve your experience modification.
How are temporary or leased workers handled under this class code?
Classification depends on who is the employer of record. If you use temporary staff supplied by an agency, the staffing firm may carry the workers' comp coverage unless contractual co-employment arrangements place payroll and coverage with a PEO. A PEO like Key HR can clarify payroll responsibility, ensure correct classification under 4286, and include those workers on a compliant policy.
Quick Facts
- Class Code
- 4286
- Classification
- Bag Mfg – Plastic
- Pure Premium Rate
- $7.145 / $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 4286?
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