Class Code 5225
Reinforcing Steel Installation
Class Code 5225 covers installation of reinforcing steel (rebar and welded wire mesh) used to strengthen concrete structures. California employers with rebar crews need to understand this designation and its approved pure premium rate of $5.538 per $100 of payroll to budget workers' compensation costs accurately.
What Class Code 5225 Covers
This classification applies to on‑site installation of reinforcing steel used in concrete construction: cutting, bending, placing and tying rebar and wire mesh; assembling and setting rebar cages and mats for footings, slabs, walls, columns, decks, bridges and retaining structures; and handling, hoisting and securing reinforcement while work is performed by concrete trades. It covers crews that work inside formwork or on elevated concrete decks and those who use hand tools, powered rebar benders/cutters and tying guns. The code is for installation work performed at construction sites — not for off‑site manufacturing of rebar or fabricating operations in a fabrication shop, which are classified differently.
Who It Applies To
- Rebar installers and reinforcing ironworkers on construction sites
- Concrete contractors who employ dedicated rebar crews
- Civil contractors on bridges, highways and infrastructure projects
- General contractors who maintain in‑house reinforcement crews
- Subcontractors installing welded wire mesh and rebar cages
Common Job Duties
- Measuring, cutting and bending rebar to specification using mechanical benders and saws
- Assembling and tying rebar cages and mats with wire ties or power tie guns
- Placing and aligning reinforcement in footings, slabs, columns and walls
- Securing rebar to chairs, spacers and formwork and installing splice couplers
- Hoisting and guiding rebar into place during crane lifts and signaling riggers
- Installing protective rebar caps, removing excess material and housekeeping around reinforcement
Common Injury Risks
Understanding the $5.538 Rate
The approved pure premium rate of $5.538 per $100 of payroll is the base charge reflecting expected claim costs for this work. An employer's actual workers' compensation premium is calculated by applying that rate to payroll in the class (payroll/100 × rate) and then adjusting for experience modification, policy discounts, state assessments, and any deductible or retrospective rating plan.
Cal/OSHA Compliance Requirements
Cal/OSHA construction standards require employers to provide fall protection, PPE (cut‑resistant gloves, eye protection, protective footwear) and training specific to rebar hazards. Employers must control impalement risks by using rebar caps or equivalent protection, implement lockout/tagout for powered cutters/benders, provide heat illness prevention for outdoor crews, and ensure rigging and crane signaling follow Title 8 requirements.
How Key HR Helps Employers Under Class Code 5225
A PEO like Key HR can help employers in Class 5225 by centralizing payroll classification, providing California‑specific safety templates and job hazard analyses for rebar work, managing timely claim reporting and return‑to‑work plans, and monitoring experience modifiers to lower renewal premiums. Key HR also offers training coordination, on‑site safety audits and claims advocacy to reduce lost time and control costs for rebar crews.
Get a QuoteFrequently Asked Questions
Does Class 5225 include shop fabrication of rebar?
No. Class 5225 is specific to field installation of reinforcing steel at construction sites. Off‑site fabrication, cutting and mass manufacturing in a shop environment are usually coded under different manufacturing or fabrication classifications and should be reported separately.
What practical steps reduce workers' comp losses for rebar crews?
Focus on hazard controls: require rebar end caps, cut‑resistant gloves and eye protection, use mechanical tie tools to reduce repetitive motion injuries, enforce crane and rigging procedures, provide manual handling training, and implement a prompt return‑to‑work program to limit indemnity exposure.
Are supervisors included in this class or coded differently?
Supervisors who perform the same hands‑on rebar tasks are typically coded to Class 5225. Purely administrative supervisors who do not engage in manual installation and whose duties are limited to supervision may be eligible for a different supervisory classification—discuss specific payroll splits with your PEO or insurer.
Quick Facts
- Class Code
- 5225
- Classification
- Reinforcing Steel Installation
- Pure Premium Rate
- $5.538 / $100 payroll
- Effective Date
- September 1, 2026
- Source
- WCIRB Approved Filing
Manage Workers' Comp Through a PEO
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