Class Code 4295
Printing Operation – Screen Printing; Screen Printed Merchandise Dealers
Class Code 4295 applies to screen printing operations and businesses dealing in screen-printed merchandise in California. This classification covers press operators, screen makers, production helpers and dealers who print on-site; the approved pure premium rate is $5.199 per $100 of payroll.
What Class Code 4295 Covers
This class covers businesses that produce images by forcing ink through a woven mesh screen onto substrates (garments, signs, paper, plastics, glass, metal) using manual or automatic presses and related processes. Operations include screen preparation (coating and exposing emulsions), ink mixing and selection (plastisol, water-based, discharge), manual and automatic press setup and operation, curing/drying with flash units or conveyor ovens, and screen reclamation and cleaning using solvents and high-pressure water. It also applies to retail or wholesale dealers that handle and sell screen-printed merchandise when printing or on-site finishing is performed as part of their business. Support activities such as loading/unloading, packing, small-scale heat-press transfers, and quality inspection performed by the same employer are included under this code.
Who It Applies To
- Independent screen printing shops producing apparel, posters, signs, and promotional products
- In-house print departments that print company-branded apparel or promotional items
- Print-and-ship operations that perform on-demand garment printing and fulfillment
- Retailers or dealers that perform on-premises screen printing or finishing of merchandise
- Contract printers supplying screen-printed transfers or printed panels to manufacturers
Common Job Duties
- Coating screens with emulsion and exposing artwork via exposure units
- Mixing, tinting and matching inks (plastisol, water-based, discharge)
- Setting up and operating manual and automatic screen presses
- Operating drying/curing equipment (flash cure units, conveyor ovens)
- Cleaning and reclaiming screens using solvents, pressure washers or chemicals
- Loading/unloading materials, packaging finished goods, and quality inspection
Common Injury Risks
Understanding the $5.199 Rate
The approved pure premium rate of $5.199 per $100 of payroll represents the WCIRB-calculated expected cost of future claims for this classification. To estimate premium, multiply total payroll for class 4295 by the rate divided by 100; insurers then add expense loads, assessments, and apply your experience modification, policy discounts, and deductibles to determine the final premium.
Cal/OSHA Compliance Requirements
Cal/OSHA standards that commonly apply include Hazard Communication (Title 8 §5194) for inks and solvents, requirements for respiratory protection and fit testing (§5144) when exposures exceed limits, machine guarding and lockout/tagout for automatic presses, and ventilation/air contaminant controls to manage VOCs and fumes. Employers must maintain SDSs, provide PPE and training, and implement local exhaust and flammable materials storage where required.
How Key HR Helps Employers Under Class Code 4295
A PEO like Key HR helps employers in class 4295 by centralizing workers' comp placement and claims handling, delivering targeted loss-control consulting (ventilation, safer solvent selection, ergonomic solutions), and providing return-to-work programs to reduce indemnity exposure. Key HR can also assist with Cal/OSHA compliance documentation, employee training modules for safe press operation and chemical handling, and payroll reporting that ensures correct classification and premium accuracy.
Get a QuoteFrequently Asked Questions
If I only sell screen-printed shirts purchased from a supplier, do I fall under Class Code 4295?
If you only resell finished, purchased screen-printed goods and do no on-premises printing or finishing, you typically would not be classified under 4295; you would fall under a retail merchandise dealer classification. If you perform any on-site printing, finishing or heat-press customization, those payrolls should be reported to class 4295.
What practical safety controls most reduce claims for screen printing shops?
Effective controls include local exhaust ventilation at cleaning and curing stations, substitution or safer formulations of inks and solvents, closed or automated screen-cleaning systems, machine guarding and lockout for presses, enforced PPE (chemical gloves, eye protection, respirators when required), and ergonomics (lift assists, adjustable workstations) to reduce strains and exposures.
How can I lower my workers' comp cost for employees in this class?
Focus on documented safety programs, regular training on chemical handling and press operation, prompt claims reporting and active return-to-work plans, accurate payroll classification, and preventive maintenance. Working with a PEO like Key HR can also improve loss control, consolidate risk, and negotiate better terms with carriers based on demonstrated safety performance.
Quick Facts
- Class Code
- 4295
- Classification
- Printing Operation – Screen Printing; Screen Printed Merchandise Dealers
- Pure Premium Rate
- $5.199 / $100 payroll
- Effective Date
- September 1, 2026
- Source
- WCIRB Approved Filing
Manage Workers' Comp Through a PEO
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