Class Code 5552
Roofing – Low Wage
Class Code 5552 (Roofing 95 Low Wage) covers hourly, lower-paid roofing laborers performing tasks like residential shingle tear-offs, underlayment and flashing installation, and roof cleanup. The WCIRB pure premium for California effective Sept. 1, 2026 is $20.827 per $100 of payroll, a key number employers should watch when budgeting for workers' comp.
What Class Code 5552 Covers
This classification applies to lower-wage roofing crews and helpers who perform manual roofing work rather than specialized, high-skilled roofing trades. Typical operations include tear-off of old roofing materials, installation of asphalt or composite shingles, laying underlayment, installing flashing and drip edge, making minor roof-deck repairs, and carrying/positioning bundles of roofing material. It generally covers crews on residential and small commercial roof jobs where workers are paid hourly or by day and do not perform complex torch-applied or built-up roofing systems. Activities that involve regular use of ladders, portable scaffolds, hand tools, pneumatic nailers, and material handling are central to this class. If a worker primarily does non-roofing tasks (e.g., general labor on a construction site) they may belong in a different classification, so accurate job descriptions and payroll reporting matter for correct assignment.
Who It Applies To
- Residential roofing helpers and tear-off crews paid hourly
- Small roofing subcontractors who employ low-wage laborers
- Day laborers assigned to shingle installation and roof cleanup
- Roofing crew members installing underlayment and flashing
- Assistants who load/unload roofing bundles and set ladders
Common Job Duties
- Tearing off existing shingles and underlayment
- Carrying and positioning shingle bundles and supplies
- Installing underlayment, flashing, drip edge, and starter courses
- Operating roofing nail guns and hand tools
- Setting up and working from ladders, toe boards and portable scaffolds
- Jobsite cleanup and removal of roofing debris
Common Injury Risks
Understanding the $20.827 Rate
The WCIRB pure premium of $20.827 per $100 payroll represents the portion of expected claim costs attributed to this classification before insurer expenses and profit. To estimate premium, multiply payroll attributed to Code 5552 by 0.20827 (that is $20.827/100), then apply insurer loading factors, experience modification, policy deductibles or retrospective adjustments. Final premium is affected by the employer's claims history (experience modification), accurate payroll reporting and classification, payroll audits, state assessments, and any credits or loss-control discounts.
Cal/OSHA Compliance Requirements
Cal/OSHA requires employers to provide effective fall protection, ladder and scaffold safety, and training appropriate to roofing work, plus specific protections for heat illness prevention during warm months. Employers must maintain a written hazard assessment, provide PPE (fall arrest, hard hats, gloves, eye protection), and ensure workers are trained on equipment use, ladder angle/anchorage, and emergency response. Regular toolbox talks, heat acclimatization plans, and documented inspections of fall protection systems are expected under California enforcement.
How Key HR Helps Employers Under Class Code 5552
A PEO like Key HR helps employers in this classification by centralizing payroll and correct job classification, managing workers' comp claims and audits, and providing loss-control support like tailored safety programs and training modules for fall protection and heat illness prevention. Key HR can also coordinate return-to-work plans, advocate on claims to limit costs that drive experience modification, and provide monthly reporting that helps employers track exposures and reduce premium volatility.
Get a QuoteFrequently Asked Questions
How is 5552 different from other roofing class codes like 5551?
5552 is specifically for lower-wage, hourly roofing laborers and helpers performing basic roofing tasks such as shingle tear-offs and installs. Higher-skilled or higher-wage roofing operations, or specialized systems (e.g., torch-applied or commercial built-up roofing), may be classified under different codes like 5551; correct classification depends on job duties, not just employer labeling.
What practical steps reduce workers' comp costs for crews in 5552?
Focus on fall protection compliance, documented training (ladder and nailer safety), heat illness prevention, proactive return-to-work programs, and prompt injury reporting to limit claim severity. Accurate payroll reporting and separating non-roofing duties into their own classifications also prevents rate leakage.
Will a payroll audit move my workers out of 5552?
A payroll audit will verify job descriptions and time records. If auditors find workers performing non-roofing tasks or higher-skilled roofing consistently, they may reclassify payroll to a more appropriate code. Maintain clear, task-specific records and crew assignments to support correct classification.
Quick Facts
- Class Code
- 5552
- Classification
- Roofing – Low Wage
- Pure Premium Rate
- $20.827 / $100 payroll
- Effective Date
- September 1, 2026
- Source
- WCIRB Approved Filing
Manage Workers' Comp Through a PEO
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