Class Code 5474
Painting; Waterproofing; Painting/Wallpaper Installation – Low Wage
Class Code 5474 applies to low-wage painting, wallpaper installation and manual waterproofing work in California. The September 1, 2026 approved pure premium rate is $8.509 per $100 of payroll. Understanding this code helps employers classify payroll accurately and control workers' comp costs.
What Class Code 5474 Covers
This classification covers hands-on painting and wallpaper installation tasks plus manual waterproofing operations performed by low-wage workers. Typical operations include surface preparation (scraping, sanding, patching), application of primers, paints and sealants by brush, roller or spray, hanging and finishing wallpaper, and installing or applying water‑resistant membranes and sealants around bathrooms, foundations, balconies and other wet‑area details. The code is intended for crews and individual workers performing physical labor rather than supervisory, estimating or high-skilled specialist work. It excludes industrial coating operations with automated equipment, large commercial spray booths, and specialty industrial applicators who use different materials or higher wages and skills.
Who It Applies To
- Residential painters working for small contractors or day‑labor crews
- Wallpaper installers and finish carpentry crews on residential/commercial interiors
- Small waterproofing crews applying membranes, sealants or coatings to wet areas
- Apartment/HOA maintenance painters performing touch‑ups and repainting
- Low‑wage contract painters and helpers who perform site prep and cleanup
Common Job Duties
- Surface preparation: scraping, sanding, filling cracks and power‑washing
- Mixing and thinning paints, primers, sealants and wallpaper adhesives
- Applying paints and coatings by brush, roller or handheld sprayer
- Measuring, cutting, pasting and hanging wallpaper panels and seams
- Installing waterproofing membranes, caulking joints and sealing penetrations
- Working from ladders, portable scaffolds or small staging and performing cleanup and solvent disposal
Common Injury Risks
Understanding the $8.509 Rate
The pure premium rate of $8.509 per $100 of payroll represents the expected cost of losses (medical and indemnity) for this classification before insurer expenses and adjustments. To estimate premium, multiply total payroll for workers in Code 5474 by 0.08509; insurers then add expense loads, any experience modification, deductible effects, and policy fees to produce the final premium. Employers' final cost is affected by accurate payroll classification, claims history (experience mod), safety controls and any schedule or individual debit/credit adjustments.
Cal/OSHA Compliance Requirements
California employers must maintain an effective Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP) and perform hazard assessments for paint and waterproofing operations. Relevant Title 8 standards include respiratory protection (Section 5144), Hazard Communication (5194) and the Lead in Construction rules (1532.1) for work on pre‑1978 structures; employers must also comply with Cal/OSHA fall protection, scaffolding and ladder safety requirements as applicable. Provide written respiratory and PPE programs, training on SDSs and safe work procedures, and documented medical surveillance when exposures require it.
How Key HR Helps Employers Under Class Code 5474
A PEO like Key HR can help employers accurately classify payroll to avoid misclassification audits, administer workers' comp policies, and manage claims to reduce indemnity costs. We provide safety program templates, mandated training (hazcom, respirators, ladder and scaffold safety), return‑to‑work coordination, and consolidated payroll reporting to help control experience modification and lower overall workers' comp expense.
Get a QuoteFrequently Asked Questions
Do wallpaper installers and waterproofing specialists both belong in Class Code 5474?
Yes, when the work is low‑wage, manual labor involving measuring, cutting, pasting wallpaper or applying waterproofing membranes and sealants by hand, those operations fall under 5474. Complex waterproofing systems installed by specialized, higher‑paid trades or mechanized applicators may require a different classification.
What specific safety controls reduce workers' comp costs for this class?
Key measures include ladder and scaffold training and inspection, a written respiratory protection program with fit testing, proper PPE and glove use, lead‑safe work practices for older buildings, safe solvent handling and storage, and a return‑to‑work plan to reduce lost‑time claims. Consistent documentation and toolbox talks help lower frequency and severity of claims.
How does payroll misclassification affect my premium for Code 5474?
Misclassifying higher‑paid or supervisory staff into 5474 can raise your experience mod and premium exposure; conversely, placing laborers in higher‑rated codes can inflate costs. Accurate payroll reporting by role and site, supported by a PEO's payroll administration and audits, prevents costly adjustments and audits after a claim or end‑of‑policy review.
Quick Facts
- Class Code
- 5474
- Classification
- Painting; Waterproofing; Painting/Wallpaper Installation – Low Wage
- Pure Premium Rate
- $8.509 / $100 payroll
- Effective Date
- September 1, 2026
- Source
- WCIRB Approved Filing
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