Class Code 4494
Plastics – Blow Molded Products Mfg
WCIRB class code 4494 covers manufacturers that form hollow plastic products by blow molding. This includes processes used to make bottles, containers and other hollow parts. The approved California pure premium is $6.902 per $100 of payroll, which employers should use as the baseline for workers' compensation cost planning.
What Class Code 4494 Covers
This classification applies to facilities that produce hollow plastic items using blow molding methods — including extrusion blow molding, injection blow molding and stretch blow molding. It covers the full production flow: resin receiving and handling, hopper feeding, extruder/parison formation, mold clamping and cooling, flash trimming and secondary finishing, inspection, and packaging. Support operations tied directly to production such as conveyor maintenance, mold maintenance, and machine setup are included. It does not cover separate activities unrelated to blow molding (for example, unrelated office staff or separate plastics fabrication processes) unless payroll is assigned to the blow-molding operation.
Who It Applies To
- Beverage, cosmetic and household container manufacturers using blow molding
- Job shops that perform contract blow molding for multiple customers
- OEMs that produce hollow plastic components (automotive, medical devices) by blow molding
- Machine operators and blow mold technicians working on extruders and mold presses
- Maintenance technicians and mold repair specialists assigned to blow molding equipment
Common Job Duties
- Operating extrusion, injection-blow or stretch-blow molding machines and controlling parison formation
- Loading and handling resin, colorants and additives into hoppers and silos
- Clamping and opening molds, removing formed parts, trimming flash and secondary finishing
- Routine and corrective maintenance on molds, heaters, hydraulic systems and conveyors
- Quality inspection, dimensional checks and packaging of finished hollow parts
- Monitoring and adjusting oven/heater temperatures, cooling cycles and cycle timing
Common Injury Risks
Understanding the $6.902 Rate
The approved pure premium of $6.902 per $100 of payroll represents the estimated cost of expected claim losses for this classification before insurer expenses and adjustments. Insurers multiply this pure premium by your payroll in hundreds of dollars to get the base loss cost, then add expense loads, policy-level adjustments and your experience modification (EMR) to calculate the final premium. Employer-specific factors — payroll allocation accuracy, safety programs, claims history, and return-to-work practices — materially affect the premium you ultimately pay.
Cal/OSHA Compliance Requirements
California employers must maintain an effective Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP) and implement machine guarding, lockout/tagout and hazard communication tailored to blow molding equipment and chemical exposures. Employers should also perform air monitoring for volatile emissions, provide respiratory protection when PELs are exceeded, train powered industrial truck operators and keep training and maintenance records available for Cal/OSHA inspections.
How Key HR Helps Employers Under Class Code 4494
A PEO like Key HR can reduce workers' comp cost drivers for blow-molding employers by standardizing safety programs, coordinating preventative maintenance and machine-guarding assessments, and managing claims and return-to-work plans to limit indemnity time. We also handle payroll allocation for accurate classification, assist with Cal/OSHA compliance documentation and provide targeted training (LOTO, hazard communication, respirator fit-testing) to reduce losses and improve your experience modification.
Get a QuoteFrequently Asked Questions
Does this code include maintenance and mold repair work?
Yes — maintenance and mold repair performed on blow-molding equipment and directly supporting production are typically included in class 4494. Separate maintenance departments that service multiple non-manufacturing operations may require payroll splits; accurate allocation at audit prevents misclassification.
What practical steps reduce workers' comp costs for blow molding shops?
Key steps include formal machine-guarding and LOTO programs, scheduled preventive maintenance to prevent catastrophic failures, local exhaust ventilation for fume control, ergonomics for trimming stations, documented return-to-work plans, and worker training on hot-material handling and PPE. Consistent recordkeeping and fast, managed claims handling also lower long-term premiums.
Which records and programs should I have ready for a Cal/OSHA inspection or insurance audit?
Maintain an up-to-date IIPP, machine-guarding assessments, LOTO procedures and training records, hazard communication/SDS inventory, respirator program and fit-test records if used, powered industrial truck certifications, and preventive maintenance logs for molding machines and safety devices.
Quick Facts
- Class Code
- 4494
- Classification
- Plastics – Blow Molded Products Mfg
- Pure Premium Rate
- $6.902 / $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 4494?
Key HR provides California employers with pay-as-you-go workers' comp, HR compliance support, and payroll — all through one PEO partnership.