Class Code 6218
Excavation/Grading Land/Land Leveling – Low Wage
Class Code 6218 covers low‑wage excavation, grading and land‑leveling operations in California — crews who move, level or trim soil for site preparation, landscaping or agriculture. The approved pure premium rate for Sept. 1, 2026 is $5.386 per $100 of payroll, which helps employers estimate baseline workers' comp costs for these activities.
What Class Code 6218 Covers
This classification applies to work that primarily involves surface earthmoving for leveling, finishing, minor cut/fill and grading of lots, fields and yards where activity is largely manual or performed with small equipment. Typical operations include hand grading, raking, tamping, small-scale trenching for irrigation, spreading topsoil, and using compactors, plate tampers, mini-skid steers and small mini-excavators. The code is intended for lower‑wage crews doing routine site preparation and landscaping-related grading rather than heavy civil excavation, large-scale pipeline or deep trenching projects. It also covers laborers who assist equipment operators by signaling, shoveling, loading/unloading material and maintaining grade stakes.
Who It Applies To
- Small grading or landscaping contractors performing site prep and leveling
- Farm contractors doing field leveling, irrigation trenching and soil redistribution
- Municipal or HOA crews doing low‑depth grading and yard renovation
- Residential site-prep crews for driveways, yards and small lot development
- Laborers and ground crews using hand tools and small compact equipment
Common Job Duties
- Marking and measuring grades with string lines, laser levels and stakes
- Shoveling, raking and spreading soil, gravel or topsoil to achieve grade
- Operating small equipment: compactors, plate tampers, mini-skid steers, mini-excavators
- Digging shallow trenches for irrigation or utilities and backfilling
- Compacting and finishing surfaces for lawns, driveways and pads
- Loading/unloading material, flagging equipment movements, routine maintenance
Common Injury Risks
Understanding the $5.386 Rate
The pure premium rate of $5.386 per $100 of payroll is the WCIRB’s estimate of expected claim costs before insurer charges and adjustments. Insurers apply this base to your payroll to compute the pure premium, then add expense loads, state assessments and any policy-level credits or debits to produce the final premium. Your actual cost will also be affected by experience modification, claim history, payroll accuracy and how your operations are classified and audited.
Cal/OSHA Compliance Requirements
Cal/OSHA requires employers engaged in excavation and grading to follow trenching and excavation safety practices, designate a competent person to inspect excavations, and implement protective systems (sloping, shoring or shielding) as appropriate. Employers must also comply with heat illness prevention, control of respirable crystalline silica, PPE, and traffic‑control requirements when work occurs near roadways or moving equipment. Maintain site inspection logs, training records, and equipment maintenance documentation to demonstrate compliance.
How Key HR Helps Employers Under Class Code 6218
A PEO like Key HR can centralize workers' comp claims handling, provide targeted loss‑control services (site inspections, competent‑person consults, silica and heat training), and implement return‑to‑work programs that reduce indemnity costs. Key HR also helps ensure correct classification and payroll reporting, which lowers audit surprises and helps keep your effective rate closer to the pure premium.
Get a QuoteFrequently Asked Questions
Does Class Code 6218 cover crews using small backhoes and mini-excavators?
Yes — Class 6218 generally includes use of small equipment such as mini-excavators, mini-skid steers and compactors when work is low‑wage, small‑scale grading or land leveling. If your operation routinely uses large excavators, deep trenching, or heavy civil equipment, a different, higher‑exposure classification may apply.
What makes this a 'low wage' classification and how does that affect my premium?
The 'low wage' designation reflects the nature of the work and typical payroll levels for crews doing manual or small‑equipment grading rather than supervisory or heavy‑equipment operations. Premiums are calculated on actual payroll; accurate payroll reporting and job descriptions at audit time determine whether employees fit this low‑wage classification.
What records and training should I maintain to satisfy Cal/OSHA and control costs?
Keep competent‑person excavation inspection logs, trench protective system plans, silica and heat illness training records, PPE issuance logs, and equipment maintenance and operator training documentation. Robust training and documentation reduce claim frequency and severity, which lowers your experience modification and workers' comp costs over time.
Quick Facts
- Class Code
- 6218
- Classification
- Excavation/Grading Land/Land Leveling – Low Wage
- Pure Premium Rate
- $5.386 / $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 6218?
Key HR provides California employers with pay-as-you-go workers' comp, HR compliance support, and payroll — all through one PEO partnership.