Class Code 5191
Office Machine Or Pos Equipment Installation, Service Or Repair
Class code 5191 covers California workers who install, service or repair office machines and point-of-sale (POS) equipment. This class applies to technicians working on copiers, printers, cash registers, payment terminals and similar devices. The WCIRB-approved pure premium rate for Sept 1, 2026 is $2.468 per $100 of payroll.
What Class Code 5191 Covers
Class 5191 is specific to hands-on installation, maintenance, troubleshooting and repair of office machines and POS equipment. Typical equipment includes multi-function printers and copiers, desktop printers, cash registers, POS terminals, card readers, payment kiosks, barcode scanners and ATMs where permitted by employer scope. Work covered includes transporting and lifting machines into place, mounting or securing terminals, running power and data connections, configuring network/software interfaces, replacing mechanical and electrical components, and preventive maintenance. The classification covers field service technicians, in-house repair staff whose primary duty is equipment work, and contractors performing these tasks on customer sites. Routine office clerical work or IT tasks that do not primarily involve physical installation or repair of this equipment are not part of 5191.
Who It Applies To
- Field service technicians who install and repair copiers, printers and multifunction devices
- POS installers and service techs who mount and wire payment terminals and registers
- In-house repair staff whose main job is servicing office machines and POS hardware
- Independent contractors providing on-site installation and preventive maintenance
- ATM and kiosk service technicians (when employer scope includes this equipment)
Common Job Duties
- Lifting, carrying and positioning heavy machines such as copiers and kiosks
- Running and terminating power and data cabling; connecting network interfaces
- Mounting terminals, securing brackets, and anchoring kiosks or registers
- Diagnosing electronic and mechanical faults and replacing parts (rollers, belts, power supplies)
- Performing preventive maintenance, cleaning sensors and feed mechanisms
- On-site software/configuration setup and functional testing after installation
- Driving between client sites and loading/unloading equipment from service vehicles
Common Injury Risks
Understanding the $2.468 Rate
The pure premium rate of $2.468 per $100 of payroll represents the WCIRB's estimated cost of claims for this classification per $100 in payroll. To compute the pure loss cost, divide total payroll by 100 and multiply by 2.468. Final workers' comp premiums will be higher after insurer expense loadings, state assessments, experience modification (EMR), policy credits or debits, and any deductible or retrospective adjustments.
Cal/OSHA Compliance Requirements
Employers must follow Cal/OSHA General Industry Safety Orders relevant to electrical safety, control of hazardous energy (lockout/tagout) when servicing energized equipment, ladder and fall protection rules, and requirements for personal protective equipment and training. Maintain an active Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP), provide task-specific training (electrical safety, safe lifting, ladder use), and keep written procedures for lockout/tagout and device de-energization when feasible.
How Key HR Helps Employers Under Class Code 5191
A PEO like Key HR helps employers in class 5191 by ensuring correct payroll reporting and classification, managing claims and return-to-work processes, and delivering targeted safety programs (manual handling, LOTO, ladder safety). Key HR can provide safety audits, training resources, standardized job procedures, group purchasing for lifting equipment and PPE, and experienced claims advocates to reduce claim duration and lower long-term costs.
Get a QuoteFrequently Asked Questions
If my IT staff occasionally fixes printers, do they fall under class 5191?
Classification depends on primary duties. Employees whose main job is installation, service or repair of office machines and POS equipment belong in 5191. If printer repairs are occasional and the worker's primary role is clerical or IT support, they should be classified under their primary occupational class. Review duties and hours to determine proper classification.
What Cal/OSHA training or certifications do technicians in this class need?
Cal/OSHA requires employer-provided training in electrical safety, lockout/tagout procedures, ladder safety, safe lifting/manual handling and any task-specific PPE use. Manufacturer certifications are not mandated by Cal/OSHA but are strongly recommended to reduce mistakes and liability and can improve safety and claim outcomes.
What practical steps lower workers' comp costs for a business in class 5191?
Implement two-person or mechanical lifts for heavy equipment, enforce ladder and electrical safety procedures, maintain vehicle safety policies, run preventive maintenance to reduce emergency repairs, document training, and provide transitional duty for injured workers. Accurate payroll reporting and timely claims management also reduce premium impacts through improved experience modification.
Quick Facts
- Class Code
- 5191
- Classification
- Office Machine Or Pos Equipment Installation, Service Or Repair
- Pure Premium Rate
- $2.468 / $100 payroll
- Effective Date
- September 1, 2026
- Source
- WCIRB Approved Filing
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