Class Code 4304
Newspaper Publishing Or Printing – All Other Employees
Class code 4304 covers newspaper publishing and printing employees who perform production and support tasks outside the pressroom or driving/sales functions. The WCIRB-approved pure premium rate for California effective September 1, 2026 is $5.213 per $100 of payroll, which is the starting point for calculating your workers' comp premium.
What Class Code 4304 Covers
This classification applies to workers in newspaper publishing or printing plants who are not classified as press operators, truck drivers, or commercial salespeople. Typical operations include prepress and digital imaging, typesetting and layout, plate making, bindery and finishing, mailroom and distribution clerks, and production support staff who handle paper, inks and printing equipment. It covers employees who work on production floors or in production-adjacent offices where exposure to inks, solvents, cutting and binding machinery, and paper handling occurs. Jobs solely clerical and removed from production areas may fall under a different clerical classification, so accurate job descriptions and payroll allocation matter.
Who It Applies To
- Prepress technicians, digital imaging and plate makers
- Layout artists, composition and typesetting staff working in production
- Bindery and finishing machine assistants and cutters
- Mailroom, inserter and distribution clerks who prepare printed materials
- Proofreaders and production editors who work in the plant environment
- Production support staff handling inventory and pressroom supplies (non-press operators)
Common Job Duties
- Preparing digital files, imagesetting and plate making for print runs
- Operating or assisting with bindery equipment: cutters, stitchers, folders
- Setting up and inspecting printed sheets, trimming and collating
- Handling rolls or cartons of newsprint, managing inventory and staging
- Cleaning press and finishing equipment using solvents and cleaners
- Packaging, inserting and preparing newspapers or printed products for distribution
- Proofing copy and performing quality control on printed material in production areas
Common Injury Risks
Understanding the $5.213 Rate
The approved pure premium rate of $5.213 per $100 of payroll is the WCIRB-calculated cost of loss payments before insurer expense loads and experience modifications. To estimate premium, divide total payroll by $100 and multiply by 5.213; insurers then apply underwriting charges, policy fees and an employer-specific experience modification (X-mod). Final premiums are affected by claim history, payroll accuracy, job descriptions, safety programs and whether employees are properly classified.
Cal/OSHA Compliance Requirements
California employers in printing and newspaper operations must implement a written Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP) and follow Cal/OSHA standards for machine guarding, lockout/tagout (control of hazardous energy), hazard communication (chemical labeling and SDS access), respiratory protection where airborne contaminants are present, and noise exposure controls. Proper storage and handling of flammable and combustible liquids, ventilation for solvent use, and routine equipment inspections are common regulatory expectations for printing facilities.
How Key HR Helps Employers Under Class Code 4304
A PEO like Key HR helps by ensuring accurate payroll classification and allocation, developing and administering targeted safety programs (machine guarding, LOTO, HazCom, hearing conservation), and managing claims and return-to-work plans to reduce indemnity costs. Key HR also provides training, safety audits, and consolidated purchasing power for workers' comp coverage, which can lower administrative burden and help control your overall workers' comp spend.
Get a QuoteFrequently Asked Questions
How do I know if an employee belongs in class code 4304 or a different printing classification?
Use the employee's actual duties and work location as the deciding factor: 4304 is for production and production-support staff in newspaper publishing or printing who are not pressroom operators, drivers or commercial salespeople. Maintain clear job descriptions and consult your insurance auditor or Key HR for a payroll audit to avoid misclassification.
What practical steps reduce claims and lower my workers' comp costs for this class?
Prioritize machine guarding and lockout/tagout, substitute less-hazardous cleaning agents, install local exhaust ventilation for solvent use, enforce hearing protection, improve housekeeping to prevent ink spills, and establish light-duty return-to-work options. Document training and safety inspections to support lower experience-modification outcomes.
Will joining a PEO change my published pure premium rate or my final premium?
The WCIRB pure premium rate remains the same, but a PEO can influence your final premium through correct classification, proactive safety programs, claims management and consolidated purchasing that reduce insurer expense loads and claims frequency. Your employer experience modification and actual loss history still determine the ultimate premium cost.
Quick Facts
- Class Code
- 4304
- Classification
- Newspaper Publishing Or Printing – All Other Employees
- Pure Premium Rate
- $5.213 / $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 4304?
Key HR provides California employers with pay-as-you-go workers' comp, HR compliance support, and payroll — all through one PEO partnership.