Class Code 5190
Electrical Wiring – Low Wage
Class Code 5190 covers electrical wiring work performed by lower-wage employees (helpers, apprentices and entry-level wiring crews) in California. This classification is used to price the expected cost of claims for those wiring operations — the September 1, 2026 pure premium rate is $3.729 per $100 of payroll.
What Class Code 5190 Covers
5190 applies to employees whose primary duties are installing, routing and connecting building electrical wiring under supervision — typically residential and light commercial wiring tasks. Common operations include pulling cable through studs and conduit, installing switches, outlets and light fixtures, making basic terminations, and assisting with panel work under a licensed electrician’s direction. The "Low Wage" label is a WCIRB wage-based grouping for workers paid at lower wage levels; it does not change the physical tasks covered. This class does not include high-voltage transmission line work, specialized industrial electrical work, or many low-voltage telecommunications installations that are assigned to other WCIRB codes.
Who It Applies To
- Apprentice electricians and entry-level residential wiremen
- Electrical helpers and cable pullers on construction sites
- Small electrical contractors employing lower-wage wiring crews
- Property maintenance staff performing basic wiring tasks under supervision
- Electrical subcontractors using supervised, less-skilled crews for installation
Common Job Duties
- Pulling and routing NM (Romex) cable and conductors through studs and conduit
- Installing receptacles, switches, lighting fixtures and junction boxes
- Bending and installing EMT conduit; cutting, threading and coupling conduit
- Making terminations on devices and buss bars under licensed electrician supervision
- Using multimeters, non-contact testers and continuity testers to verify circuits
- Assisting with panel work, labeling circuits and splicing wires with approved connectors
- Dragging cable, handling rolls of wire, and positioning fixtures and equipment
Common Injury Risks
Understanding the $3.729 Rate
The pure premium rate of $3.729 per $100 of payroll represents the WCIRB’s estimate of expected claim costs for this class. Insurers use the pure premium as the base of a policy premium, then add expense loads, assessments and apply your company’s experience modification, deductibles and any schedule credits to determine the final premium.
Cal/OSHA Compliance Requirements
Employers must follow Cal/OSHA Electrical Safety Orders and applicable Construction Safety Orders: only qualified persons may perform energized work, lockout/tagout procedures must be in place when working on circuits, and required PPE (insulated gloves, eye protection, arc-rated clothing where appropriate) must be provided. Fall protection, ladder safety and scaffolding rules apply when working at heights, and employers must document training and hazard assessments for wiring tasks.
How Key HR Helps Employers Under Class Code 5190
As a PEO, Key HR can centralize payroll and workers' comp, provide targeted safety programs and on-site or virtual training for ladder use, lockout/tagout and electrical hazard recognition, and manage claims to speed medical care and return-to-work. Our risk consultants help ensure correct classification, track loss runs, implement tailored loss-control plans and negotiate with carriers to lower your effective premium over time.
Get a QuoteFrequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my workers belong in class code 5190 or another electrical classification?
Class 5190 is appropriate when employees’ primary duties are basic electrical wiring and installation performed by lower-wage or entry-level crews under supervision. If your crews do high-voltage line work, industrial control wiring, standalone low-voltage telecommunications, or primarily repair and maintenance of energized equipment, different WCIRB codes likely apply. Provide job descriptions and payroll detail to your carrier or Key HR risk advisor for an official determination.
What practical steps reduce workers' comp costs for wiring crews?
Focus on hazard-specific controls: enforce lockout/tagout and de-energizing circuits, require GFCI protection on construction sites, provide ladder and fall-protection training, maintain tools and insulated PPE, and implement early return-to-work and light-duty programs. Consistent training, documented safety meetings, and timely claims management lower claim frequency and your experience modification, which reduces premiums.
Does the $3.729 pure premium rate equal what I will pay per employee?
No. The $3.729 figure is the WCIRB pure premium base per $100 of payroll and reflects expected claim costs only. Insurers add expense loads, state assessments, and apply your company’s experience modification, deductible structure and audit adjustments — all of which determine the actual premium. Contact Key HR for a tailored premium estimate using your payroll and loss history.
Quick Facts
- Class Code
- 5190
- Classification
- Electrical Wiring – Low Wage
- Pure Premium Rate
- $3.729 / $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 5190?
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