Class Code 5214
Concrete Or Cement Work
Class Code 5214 covers workers who perform concrete or cement work in California, including forming, placing, finishing and related tasks. The approved pure premium rate for Sept 1, 2026 is $4.184 per $100 of payroll, an important input when budgeting workers' compensation costs.
What Class Code 5214 Covers
This classification applies to operations that mix, place, finish, cure and repair concrete and cement products at job sites or shop locations. Typical activities include setting and stripping formwork, tying rebar and dowels, placing and consolidating concrete by hand or with vibrators, finishing flatwork (floors, sidewalks, driveways), saw-cutting control joints, applying curing compounds and patching or grinding hardened concrete. It also covers operators of small mixers, wheelbarrows, concrete pumps and related handheld power tools used specifically for concrete work. Work that is primarily masonry, tile setting, or structural steel erection is classified separately; 5214 is focused on the materials and operations specific to concrete/cement handling, placement and finishing.
Who It Applies To
- Concrete contractors and subcontractor crews (foundation, flatwork, curb & gutter)
- Concrete finishers, trowel machine operators, floaters and broom finishers
- Formwork crews who build, set and strip forms
- Concrete pump operators and truck crew handling placing operations
- Repair and restoration crews that grind, patch and resurface concrete
- Municipal and site contractors who pour sidewalks, curbs and slabs
Common Job Duties
- Setting, bracing and stripping wood, metal or aluminum concrete forms
- Measuring, mixing and placing concrete by wheelbarrow, chute or pump
- Tamping, vibrating and consolidating concrete to remove air pockets
- Troweling, floating, broom finishing and applying curing compounds
- Cutting and grinding concrete to form joints or repair surfaces
- Tying rebar, placing dowels and installing reinforcement before pour
- Cleaning tools and equipment and performing final site cleanup
Common Injury Risks
Understanding the $4.184 Rate
The pure premium rate of $4.184 per $100 of payroll represents the expected cost of indemnity and medical losses for this classification before insurer expenses and margin. Insurers multiply this rate by your reported payroll for class 5214 to calculate the base premium, then adjust for experience modification, schedule credits/debits, policy-level discounts or state-imposed assessments. Final premium is affected by payroll accuracy, job classification splits, claims history, safety controls and whether work is subcontracted or directly employed.
Cal/OSHA Compliance Requirements
Cal/OSHA enforces specific controls for construction concrete work, most notably crystalline silica requirements that mandate engineering controls (Table 1 controls), wet cutting, local exhaust/HEPA vacuums and respirators when needed, plus medical surveillance for exposed workers. Wet cement hazards require skin protection, prompt decontamination and hazard communication for admixtures and curing compounds. Employers must also follow fall-protection rules for elevated formwork, and excavation/trenching standards when footings or foundations require open trenches.
How Key HR Helps Employers Under Class Code 5214
A PEO like Key HR can centralize workers' compensation administration for concrete crews: accurate payroll classification, consolidated reporting, proactive safety programs (silica control plans, PPE policies, heat illness prevention), and managed claims handling to limit severity and return employees to light duty faster. Key HR also provides OSHA recordkeeping, training tailored to concrete hazards, and coordination of medical surveillance and respirator programs to help control premium volatility.
Get a QuoteFrequently Asked Questions
Does Class Code 5214 include concrete cutting and grinding?
Yes. Cutting, grinding and drilling concrete used as part of placing, finishing or repair are typically included in 5214, but those tasks trigger crystalline silica controls under Cal/OSHA and may require additional PPE, engineering controls and medical surveillance.
What steps reduce workers' comp costs for concrete crews?
Key measures include strict silica and cement-skin controls, PPE use, mechanical aids for lifting, pre-shift safety briefings, documented return-to-work plans, accurate payroll classification and ensuring subcontractors carry their own coverage or are correctly reported.
Are subcontractors doing concrete work covered under my policy?
Subcontractor coverage depends on contract terms and reporting practices; many general contractors require certificates of insurance and do not include subcontractor payroll unless explicitly insured. A PEO can help verify subcontractor insurance, manage endorsements and ensure payroll is reported correctly to avoid misclassification.
Quick Facts
- Class Code
- 5214
- Classification
- Concrete Or Cement Work
- Pure Premium Rate
- $4.184 / $100 payroll
- Effective Date
- September 1, 2026
- Source
- WCIRB Approved Filing
Manage Workers' Comp Through a PEO
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