Class Code 5140
Electrical Wiring – High Wage
Class code 5140 applies to high-wage electrical wiring work in California — licensed electricians and crews installing, maintaining, or modifying building electrical systems. This classification carries a September 1, 2026 approved pure premium rate of $2.109 per $100 of payroll, which is the WCIRB's benchmark for expected claim costs.
What Class Code 5140 Covers
This class covers hands-on electrical wiring operations for buildings and structures performed by qualified electricians and crews earning wages above the WCIRB's high-wage threshold. Typical operations include installing and extending branch circuits and feeders, pulling and terminating conductors, installing conduits and raceways, wiring service panels and distribution equipment, grounding/ bonding, motor control and lighting systems, and testing and troubleshooting electrical systems. Both new-construction and renovation work in commercial, industrial, and higher-end residential settings fall here when performed by higher-paid electricians. Routine maintenance electricians employed by owners or facility maintenance shops who perform the same wiring and panel work at higher wages are also included.
Who It Applies To
- Licensed journeyman and master electricians on commercial/industrial projects
- Electrical contractors and subcontracting crews doing building wiring
- Maintenance electricians employed by manufacturing plants, hospitals, and large facilities
- Electrical foremen, lead electricians and high-wage field supervisors
- Temporary staffing placements of electricians paid at the higher wage band
Common Job Duties
- Bending, threading and installing conduit and raceways
- Pulling, cutting, splicing and terminating conductors in panels and junction boxes
- Installing and wiring service panels, breakers, transformers and motor control centers
- Reading blueprints and installing branch circuits, lighting, and receptacles
- Testing circuits with meters, megohmmeters and performing live-voltage troubleshooting (when required)
- Climbing ladders, working on scaffolds and elevated platforms to access wiring paths
Common Injury Risks
Understanding the $2.109 Rate
The pure premium rate of $2.109 per $100 of payroll represents the WCIRB's estimate of expected paid losses (medical and indemnity) for this classification before expenses and modifiers. To estimate an employer's premium, divide total payroll for employees in code 5140 by 100 and multiply by $2.109, then apply insurer expense loads, experience modification (EMR), policy-level credits or debits, and any schedule-rating or deductible adjustments. Final premium is affected by loss history, payroll mix (wages and overtime), safety programs, and whether work includes high-risk activities like routine energized work or confined-space entry.
Cal/OSHA Compliance Requirements
Electrical work in California is governed by Cal/OSHA electrical safety orders and related rules for control of hazardous energy, fall protection and confined-space entry. Employers must ensure workers designated as "qualified" receive training on safe work practices, de-energizing equipment when feasible, lockout/tagout procedures, appropriate arc-flash PPE and written safe work permits where required. Compliance with NFPA 70E practices and Cal/OSHA training/documentation expectations reduces both injury risk and regulatory citations.
How Key HR Helps Employers Under Class Code 5140
A PEO like Key HR helps employers in class 5140 by ensuring correct payroll classification, managing claims and return-to-work programs, and delivering tailored safety and training resources (electrical safety, lockout/tagout, NFPA 70E awareness). Key HR can also assist with pre-hire screening, drug testing, safety audits, and negotiating experience modification impacts with carriers to help control workers' comp costs.
Get a QuoteFrequently Asked Questions
What does "High Wage" mean for class code 5140?
High-wage indicates this WCIRB classification is used when the employees performing electrical wiring earn wages above the WCIRB's high-wage cutoff for that class. The high-wage designation changes how payroll is grouped and can affect premium; Key HR can review your payroll and determine whether the high-wage code applies.
Can electricians perform live work and still control workers' comp exposure?
Live work increases exposure and underwriter scrutiny. Cal/OSHA and NFPA 70E require qualified-person training, documented risk assessments, minimum approach boundaries, arc-flash PPE, and lockout/tagout where feasible. Strong written procedures, training records and administrative controls reduce claims frequency and severity.
What practical steps lower premiums for businesses in this code?
Maintain a rigorous safety program focused on electrical hazards, require NFPA 70E training and arc-flash PPE, enforce lockout/tagout and confined-space procedures, implement post-injury return-to-work plans, and keep detailed training and incident records—these measures improve loss history and can reduce your experience modification and premium.
Quick Facts
- Class Code
- 5140
- Classification
- Electrical Wiring – High Wage
- Pure Premium Rate
- $2.109 / $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 5140?
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