Class Code 5482
Painting; Waterproofing; Painting/Wallpaper Installation – High Wage
California WCIRB Class Code 5482 covers painters, waterproofing applicators, and wallpaper installers who are classified as high wage employees. The approved pure premium rate for September 1, 2026 is $4.778 per $100 of payroll, which is the base cost allocated for expected workers' compensation losses in this classification.
What Class Code 5482 Covers
This class covers work that includes interior and exterior painting of buildings and structures, application of protective and decorative coatings, liquid- and sheet-applied waterproofing membranes, roof and foundation waterproofing, and professional wallpaper measuring and installation when employees are paid at higher wage levels. It includes surface preparation such as scraping, sanding, power washing, priming, and applying coatings by brush, roller or spray equipment. Tasks also include mixing paints and solvents, prepping and installing sheet membranes and sealants, using scaffolds, aerial lifts and ladders, and cleanup and disposal of coating materials and solvents. Jobs involving specialized industrial coatings (e.g., corrosion-resistant coatings), hot-applied waterproofing materials, or high-end finish work that command above-average wages fall into the "high wage" variant of this code.
Who It Applies To
- Commercial and residential painting contractors performing interior and exterior work
- Specialty waterproofing contractors applying membranes, sealants and roof coatings
- Industrial coating applicators working on tanks, bridges, or corrosion protection
- High-end residential finish painters and decorative/coatings specialists
- Professional wallpaper installers and finish carpentry crews paid at higher wage rates
Common Job Duties
- Surface preparation: scraping, sanding, patching, power washing and rust removal
- Mixing and thinning paints, epoxies, primers and solvents to manufacturer specs
- Applying coatings by brush, roller, airless/air-assisted spray guns or trowel
- Installing sheet membranes, liquid-applied waterproofing, flashing and sealants
- Setting up and working from ladders, scaffolds, man lifts and boom lifts
- Measuring, cutting and adhering wallpaper and finishing trim work
- Handling, storing and disposing of flammable and hazardous coating materials
Common Injury Risks
Understanding the $4.778 Rate
The pure premium rate of $4.778 per $100 of payroll represents the estimated cost of paying claims for workers in Class 5482 and is used as the loss-cost component of your workers' compensation premium. Insurers and PEOs add expense loads, assess your employer experience modification (X-mod), credits or debits for safety programs, and any policy-specific endorsements or deductibles — all of which affect the final premium you pay.
Cal/OSHA Compliance Requirements
Cal/OSHA requirements commonly applicable to this work include written hazard communication and chemical labeling for paints and solvents, respiratory protection programs for spray and solvent exposure, scaffold and ladder safety standards, aerial lift and fall protection rules, heat illness prevention for outdoor jobs, and permit-required confined space procedures where coating occurs in tanks or crawlspaces. Employers must maintain training, medical surveillance where required (e.g., isocyanates, lead, or cadmium exposures), and written programs aligning with Title 8 construction and general industry orders.
How Key HR Helps Employers Under Class Code 5482
A PEO like Key HR can help employers in Class 5482 by verifying correct payroll classification, securing competitive premium through group purchasing power, administering claims and return-to-work programs to limit indemnity exposure, and delivering targeted safety training (fall protection, respiratory protection, solvent handling). Key HR can also help implement written Cal/OSHA programs, schedule on-site or virtual training, and track exposures that improve your experience modification over time.
Get a QuoteFrequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my painters belong in the "high wage" variant of Class 5482?
The "high wage" variant applies when individual employees or groups are paid substantially higher wages than typical journeyman rates; insurers and the WCIRB use payroll reporting and payroll averages to determine placement. Discuss your payroll mix with Key HR or your broker so wages and job duties are reviewed for correct classification before premiums are set.
What specific steps reduce workers' comp costs for painting and waterproofing crews?
Implementing and documenting fall protection, scaffold inspection, respiratory protection and HazCom programs, providing fit-tested respirators and PPE, pre-employment physicals, light-duty return-to-work plans, and regular toolbox training reduces claim frequency and severity and improves your experience modification key to lowering premiums.
Are wallpaper installers and decorative finishers covered under this class?
Yes — professional wallpaper installation and high-end decorative finishing performed by higher-wage employees are included under Class 5482 when wages and duties match the high-wage criteria. Accurate job descriptions and payroll reporting ensure correct class assignment.
Quick Facts
- Class Code
- 5482
- Classification
- Painting; Waterproofing; Painting/Wallpaper Installation – High Wage
- Pure Premium Rate
- $4.778 / $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 5482?
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