Class Code 5222
Concrete Construction – Bridges; Chimney Construction
Class code 5222 applies to concrete construction work specifically on bridges and on chimney (stack) construction and repair. This classification carries a September 1, 2026 pure premium rate of $6.559 per $100 of payroll — a rate that reflects the heavy equipment, elevated work, and specialized formwork common to these projects.
What Class Code 5222 Covers
This classification covers cast‑in‑place and slipformed concrete work on bridge structures (including abutments, piers, decks, parapets, and falsework) and concrete chimney construction, repair and relining where concrete is the primary material. Typical operations include installation and removal of heavy timber or steel forms and falsework, setting and tying reinforcing steel, pumping and placing concrete, finishing and curing concrete surfaces, and erection/dismantling of scaffolding and access systems attached to bridges or chimneys. It also includes specialty tasks such as cofferdam work for substructure pours, slipform climbing operations on chimneys, and concrete patching and overlays on bridge decks. The code is specific to concrete-related bridge/chimney work and does not generally include unrelated concrete tasks such as building slab finishing or small residential pours.
Who It Applies To
- Heavy civil contractors performing DOT/municipal bridge construction and repair
- Specialty chimney and industrial stack contractors doing concrete stacks or slipforming
- Formwork and falsework crews working on bridge superstructure and substructure
- Reinforcing steel (rebar) crews assigned to bridge or chimney pours
- Concrete pump and placement teams on bridge span and chimney pours
- Scaffold erection crews and access specialists for bridge and stack work
Common Job Duties
- Erecting and stripping heavy timber or steel forms and falsework for piers, abutments, decks, and chimney shell
- Placing, tying and cutting reinforcing steel (rebar) for structural members
- Operating concrete pumps, conveyors and vibrators to place concrete in forms or slipforming operations
- Operating cranes and rigging to set form panels, precast elements, and heavy components
- Finishing, troweling and curing concrete surfaces on bridge decks and chimney shells
- Installing cofferdams, dewatering systems, or working from barges for substructure pours
- Erecting and using suspended scaffolds, swing stages, and climbing form systems on chimneys
Common Injury Risks
Understanding the $6.559 Rate
The approved pure premium rate of $6.559 per $100 of payroll is the base cost to cover expected claim losses for payroll assigned to class 5222. To estimate pure premium, divide total payroll by 100 and multiply by 6.559 (for example, $100,000 payroll = $6,559 pure premium). The final premium an employer pays will be adjusted for the employer's experience modification, policy fees, insurer loading, state assessments, payroll audits, and any deductible or retrospective rating programs.
Cal/OSHA Compliance Requirements
Cal/OSHA construction standards that commonly apply include fall protection and scaffold safety, crane and rigging regulations, the concrete and masonry construction requirements within Title 8, and the state implementation of the respirable crystalline silica standard with required exposure control plans. Additionally, bridge work often requires traffic control plans and fall‑rescue procedures, while chimney interiors may trigger confined‑space entry rules and respiratory protection requirements. Employers must maintain competent‑person oversight, written safety programs, training, and documentation for these hazards.
How Key HR Helps Employers Under Class Code 5222
A PEO like Key HR can help employers in class 5222 by ensuring accurate payroll classification and timely reporting, implementing targeted safety and return‑to‑work programs, and coordinating claims management to reduce lost‑time. Key HR can also provide training, safety audits specific to bridge and chimney concrete operations, certificate management for subcontractors, and assistance managing experience modification to lower workers' comp costs over time.
Get a QuoteFrequently Asked Questions
Does class 5222 include all concrete work on a construction site?
No. Class 5222 is specific to concrete operations on bridges and chimney (stack) construction or repair. Other concrete activities such as building slabs, residential concrete, sidewalks, or nonstructural patching are typically classified under different concrete or masonry codes. Confirm classification with your insurer or PEO to avoid misclassification.
What steps reduce workers' comp claims and premiums for bridge and chimney concrete work?
Key controls include formal fall‑protection systems, engineered formwork and shoring designs, thorough crane and rigging inspections, silica exposure controls (wet cutting, HEPA vacuums), heat‑illness prevention, certified operator training, and proactive return‑to‑work programs. Documented safety programs and low claim frequency drive better experience modification factors and lower premiums.
How should I handle subcontractors who do bridge or chimney concrete work?
Require subcontractors to carry their own workers' compensation coverage and obtain certificates of insurance naming you as additional insured where appropriate. If a subcontractor is uninsured or misclassified, their payroll may be attributed to your policy. A PEO can manage certificate tracking, perform contract reviews, and ensure proper payroll reporting to protect your workers' comp exposure.
Quick Facts
- Class Code
- 5222
- Classification
- Concrete Construction – Bridges; Chimney Construction
- Pure Premium Rate
- $6.559 / $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 5222?
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