Class Code 4354
Printed Circuit Board Mfg
Class code 4354 covers the manufacturing processes for printed circuit boards (PCBs) in California, including etching, drilling, plating, soldermask application, and testing. The approved pure premium rate for this class effective September 1, 2026 is $2.284 per $100 of payroll — a useful baseline for budgeting workers' comp costs for PCB shops and factories.
What Class Code 4354 Covers
This classification applies to establishments that fabricate printed circuit boards and substrata: pattern etching of copper-clad laminates, mechanical drilling and routing of holes, chemical and electroplating, lamination, application and curing of soldermask and silkscreen, conformal coating, and board testing and inspection. It includes prototype shops and production lines using through-hole and surface-mount processes, wave solder, reflow ovens, and automated drill/router equipment. Processes that involve chemical baths (etchants, developers, plating solutions), solvents, photoresist processing, and lead- or tin-containing solder are explicitly part of the work exposure. Final electronic product assembly (installing PCBs into finished consumer devices or wiring harness assembly) may be classified elsewhere if that activity is the dominant operation; classify under 4354 when the primary business is PCB fabrication itself.
Who It Applies To
- Printed circuit board manufacturers and prototype PCB shops
- Electroplating and PCB surface finish shops (e.g., HASL, ENIG)
- PCB process technicians and machine operators (drill, etch, lamination)
- Quality control inspectors and PCB test technicians
- Maintenance technicians servicing PCB production equipment
Common Job Duties
- Operating CNC drills, routers, and automated handling systems
- Chemical etching, stripping, developing, and neutralizing of copper-clad boards
- Electroplating and chemical plating bath maintenance
- Applying and curing soldermask, silkscreen printing, and conformal coatings
- Soldering, reflow and wave solder operations and inspection of solder joints
- Performing electrical testing, optical inspection, and dimensional QA
Common Injury Risks
Understanding the $2.284 Rate
The pure premium rate of $2.284 per $100 of payroll represents the expected cost of claim losses for this classification before insurer expenses and profit. To estimate premium, multiply employer payroll for workers in class 4354 by the rate (payroll/100 x 2.284), then apply the insurer's modifications — experience modification, policy fees, audits, credits, and any deductible or retrospective rating plan adjustments can raise or lower the final premium.
Cal/OSHA Compliance Requirements
California employers in PCB manufacturing must maintain an effective Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP) and comply with hazard communication, PPE, and permissible exposure limits for airborne contaminants. Specific Cal/OSHA program elements to emphasize include respiratory protection programs, medical surveillance for lead and other metal exposures when applicable, engineering controls and local exhaust ventilation for etching and plating baths, and lockout/tagout for equipment maintenance. Accurate injury reporting, training in chemical handling, and written procedures for hazardous waste management and emergency response are also required.
How Key HR Helps Employers Under Class Code 4354
A PEO like Key HR can help PCB manufacturers by implementing job-specific safety programs, managing claims and return-to-work plans, and delivering Cal/OSHA-compliant training (hazcom, respirators, LOTO). Key HR’s centralized claims advocacy, safety coaching, and access to group resources and loss-control specialists can reduce claim severity, help improve experience modification factors, and lower overall workers' comp cost for California PCB fabricators.
Get a QuoteFrequently Asked Questions
Does class code 4354 include PCB assembly on finished devices?
Class 4354 covers PCB fabrication processes. If the primary business activity is installing PCBs into finished products or performing electronics assembly, a different classification may apply. Classify based on the dominant operations performed by the payroll for accurate premiums.
What are the most effective controls to reduce chemical exposure in a PCB shop?
Engineering controls such as local exhaust ventilation at etch and plating tanks, enclosed plating cells, automated chemical dosing and closed-loop rinse systems are most effective. Complement with respirators where required, chemical-resistant PPE, hygiene stations, and thorough training and labeling under hazard communication rules.
How can I lower workers' comp costs for a small PCB manufacturer?
Focus on reducing claim frequency and severity: implement documented safety procedures, perform pre-employment and return-to-work programs, train employees on chemical hazards and safe machine operation, and work with a PEO or broker to improve claims handling and monitor your experience modification. Consider safety-driven incentives and periodic safety audits to demonstrate continuous improvement.
Quick Facts
- Class Code
- 4354
- Classification
- Printed Circuit Board Mfg
- Pure Premium Rate
- $2.284 / $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 4354?
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