Class Code 5633
Steel Framing – High Wage
Class Code 5633 covers high‑wage workers engaged in steel framing operations in California. This classification applies to employees who fabricate, handle, and install steel framing members for commercial and industrial buildings. The September 1, 2026 approved pure premium rate for this code is $5.321 per $100 of payroll.
What Class Code 5633 Covers
This class applies to operations that fabricate, assemble, transport and install steel framing members — including metal studs, joists, tracks, channels, light‑gauge and heavier gauge shop‑fabricated framing — used in walls, floors, roofs and mezzanines. Work covered includes both shop prefabrication of framed assemblies and field erection of framed systems for commercial, institutional and multi‑family construction when employees are paid at higher wage levels. Tasks can involve layout from plans, cutting and fitting steel members, fastening with screws or welds, rigging and setting prefabricated panels, and finishing connections. Supervisors, lead hands and experienced journeymen with above‑average wages who perform or directly oversee these operations are typically assigned to the high‑wage version of the steel framing class.
Who It Applies To
- Commercial steel stud and metal framing contractors
- Metal stud installers and journeymen framers (high wage earners)
- Shop fabricators who prefabricate steel framing components
- Contractor foremen and supervisors working on steel framing crews
- Construction managers on site who perform hands‑on framing tasks
Common Job Duties
- Reading blueprints and laying out stud/joist locations
- Measuring, cutting and drilling steel members using saws, shears, or plasma torches
- Assembling and fastening metal studs, tracks and joists (screws, bolts, welding)
- Erecting wall and roof framing, aligning and anchoring to structure
- Rigging and lifting prefabricated panels with cranes or lift equipment
- Operating aerial lifts, scaffolds and ladders to install framing at heights
- Performing shop fabrication: punching, notching, and tack‑welding members
Common Injury Risks
Understanding the $5.321 Rate
The pure premium rate of $5.321 per $100 of payroll represents the expected cost of indemnity and medical claims for this classification before insurer expenses and profit. Insurers multiply that pure premium by an employer’s actual payroll in hundreds of dollars, then apply policy level factors: loss cost multipliers, insurer expense loads, and the employer’s experience modification. Final premium is affected by payroll allocation, claim history, safety programs, return‑to‑work practices, and any class code audits or misclassification adjustments.
Cal/OSHA Compliance Requirements
Cal/OSHA standards most relevant to steel framing include fall protection rules for construction work, scaffold and ladder safety requirements, and controls for welding, cutting and brazing operations. Employers must implement fall protection plans, use properly erected scaffolds and certified aerial lift procedures, provide welding PPE and ventilation, and maintain hazard communication for coatings and metalworking fluids. Training, written procedures and equipment inspection records are required under California Title 8 construction safety regulations.
How Key HR Helps Employers Under Class Code 5633
A PEO like Key HR helps employers in this classification by centralizing workers’ comp claims handling, delivering OSHA‑aligned safety programs and targeted training (fall protection, rigging, welding safety), and deploying return‑to‑work plans to limit indemnity costs. Key HR also ensures accurate payroll reporting and classification, assists with experience modification management, and provides access to loss control consultants to reduce frequency and severity of claims — all of which can lower the effective premium paid by the employer.
Get a QuoteFrequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my crew should be coded 5633 or another steel/metal framing class?
Assign 5633 when employees perform shop fabrication or field installation of steel framing members and are paid at higher wage levels; crews focused on heavy structural steel erection or non‑framing metalwork may fall under different codes. Review job duties, percent of time spent on framing tasks, and payroll for supervisors to confirm correct classification—Key HR can assist with an audit and job‑task review.
What are the most cost‑effective safety measures to lower workers’ comp costs for steel framing work?
Prioritize fall protection systems and training, enforce proper rigging and load‑securement procedures, require cut‑resistant gloves and eye protection, implement welding ventilation and PPE policies, and establish a formal return‑to‑work program. Consistent toolbox talks, equipment inspections, and prompt medical management of injuries reduce claim severity and the employer’s experience modification.
Will higher wages automatically push my employees into this high‑wage class?
Not automatically; the high‑wage designation applies when job duties match steel framing operations and payroll reflects higher wage rates for those employees or supervisory staff. Insurers look at both the nature of the work and payroll allocation. A PEO or insurance advisor can help document duties and determine the correct class placement to avoid overpayment.
Quick Facts
- Class Code
- 5633
- Classification
- Steel Framing – High Wage
- Pure Premium Rate
- $5.321 / $100 payroll
- Effective Date
- September 1, 2026
- Source
- WCIRB Approved Filing
Manage Workers' Comp Through a PEO
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