Class Code 4495
Plastics – Extrusion Molded Products Mfg
Class Code 4495 covers manufacturers who produce continuous plastic products by extrusion molding—profiles, tubing, pipe, sheet and film—using screw or ram extruders. Employers in California need to know this classification because the approved pure premium rate is $3.770 per $100 of payroll and that rate reflects the typical loss experience for extrusion operations.
What Class Code 4495 Covers
This classification applies to factories that melt and force thermoplastic resin through dies to make continuous shapes: PVC/PE/PP pipe and tubing, window and door profiles, sheet and film, cable jacketing, and similar extruded products. Included operations are feed/hopper handling of resin pellets or powder, operation and setup of single- and twin-screw extruders, die changeovers, downstream cooling and calibrating rolls, pelletizers or slitters, trimming and cutting equipment, winding and packaging lines. The code covers operators, setup technicians, maintenance mechanics who service extruders, downstream line attendants, quality control technicians who sample and test produced material, and material handlers who stage raw resin and finished reels. Finished-product secondary operations that are integral to the extrusion line (cutting, trimming, assembly) are also part of this classification; separate operations such as injection molding or blow molding are typically assigned different class codes.
Who It Applies To
- Manufacturers of plastic pipe, tubing, hose, and profiles (PVC, PE, PP, ABS)
- Producers of extruded film and sheet used in packaging or construction
- Companies that extrude cable jacketing and wire insulation
- Contract/custom extrusion shops producing profiles for windows, doors, or trim
- Plant staff: extruder operators, setup technicians, maintenance mechanics, and QC technicians
Common Job Duties
- Feeding and blending resin in hoppers, monitoring feed rates and dryers
- Operating and controlling screw extruders, adjusting screw speed, temperature, and pressure
- Changing dies and tooling, aligning calibrators, and setting chill rolls or water baths
- Monitoring melt temperatures, line speed, and downstream cutting/winding equipment
- Performing preventive maintenance and lockout/tagout on extruders and drives
- Inspecting finished profiles, measuring dimensions and physical properties, and packaging reels or cut lengths
Common Injury Risks
Understanding the $3.770 Rate
The approved pure premium of $3.770 per $100 of payroll represents the WCIRB's estimated loss cost for this classification based on historical claims. Insurers use that pure premium as the baseline loss component; your final workers' comp premium will also include insurer expenses, profit, policy fees, any experience modification (X-Mod), credits or debits, and class-code payroll splits. Factors that increase your effective premium include frequent or severe claims, poor safety controls, high overtime, and operations that use hazardous additives or elevated process temperatures.
Cal/OSHA Compliance Requirements
Extrusion operations must be managed under Cal/OSHA requirements including a written Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP), machine guarding and controls to prevent contact with rotating parts, and effective lockout/tagout procedures for maintenance. Employers must implement hazard communication and ventilation controls for fume-producing resins and maintain PPE, training, and exposure monitoring where airborne contaminants or heat stress are present.
How Key HR Helps Employers Under Class Code 4495
A PEO like Key HR can help extrusion manufacturers reduce workers' comp costs by implementing targeted loss-control programs, administering timely claims management and return-to-work plans, and centralizing OSHA recordkeeping and training. Key HR can also track your experience modification, advise on deductible or retrospective programs, and provide safety consulting specific to extruder equipment and downstream processes.
Get a QuoteFrequently Asked Questions
Does Class Code 4495 include injection molding or blow molding operations?
No. Class Code 4495 specifically covers extrusion molded products. Injection molding, blow molding, and other plastic processes are usually assigned separate WCIRB class codes because they have different machines, hazard profiles, and loss histories.
What practical steps reduce claims and lower my premium for extrusion work?
Key steps include robust machine guarding, formal lockout/tagout for maintenance, engineering controls and local exhaust for fumes, heat-shielding and PPE to prevent burns, scheduled preventive maintenance to avoid run-away failures, and a formal return-to-work program to limit indemnity costs.
How does my facility’s experience modification affect premiums for Class Code 4495?
Your experience modification (X-Mod) adjusts your premium up or down based on your actual claims history versus expected claims for similar employers. Frequent small claims or a single severe claim on extrusion lines can raise your X-Mod; proactive safety programs and quick claims resolution help keep it lower.
Quick Facts
- Class Code
- 4495
- Classification
- Plastics – Extrusion Molded Products Mfg
- Pure Premium Rate
- $3.770 / $100 payroll
- Effective Date
- September 1, 2026
- Source
- WCIRB Approved Filing
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