Class Code 6834
Boat Building Or Repairing
Class code 6834 covers boat building and repairing operations in California, from fiberglass hull layup and carpentry to engine and electrical work. The approved pure premium rate for Sept 1, 2026 is $4.623 per $100 of payroll, which helps determine workers' comp costs for employers in this industry.
What Class Code 6834 Covers
This classification applies to businesses that construct, assemble, refit, maintain, or repair small to large recreational and commercial boats and their components. Typical operations include fiberglass and composite hull layup and curing, gelcoat and topcoat spraying, sanding and fairing, wooden boat joinery, aluminum or steel hull fabrication and welding, inboard/outboard engine repair and installation, rigging and deck outfitting, electrical and plumbing work, and on-site haul-out and blocking operations. Mobile repair crews performing mechanical, electrical or cosmetic repairs at marinas, docks or boatyards are also included. The code covers employees who perform the hands-on trade work as well as those who operate yard equipment such as travel lifts, cranes and forklift trucks when directly supporting boat construction or repair.
Who It Applies To
- Boatyards and marine repair shops performing fiberglass, wood, metal, or composite work
- Custom boat builders and small commercial boat manufacturers
- Marine mechanics who service engines, transmissions, and propulsion systems
- Hull painters, gelcoat and spray-coating applicators and finishers
- Fabricators and welders working on aluminum or steel boat components
- Mobile marine service technicians who work at marinas or on-site haul-outs
Common Job Duties
- Composite layup: cutting reinforcement, applying resin/gelcoat, curing and demolding
- Sanding, fairing and surface preparation of hulls and decks
- Spray painting and gelcoat application using airless or spray booths
- Wood joinery and structural carpentry for wooden boats and interiors
- Welding, cutting and metal fabrication of frames, brackets and transoms
- Engine, drive train and electrical system installation, troubleshooting and repair
- Operating travel lifts, cranes, forklifts, and setting boats on stands or blocks
Common Injury Risks
Understanding the $4.623 Rate
The pure premium rate of $4.623 per $100 of payroll is the WCIRB-approved loss cost representing expected claim costs for this class before insurer adjustments. Employers multiply the rate by their payroll in hundreds of dollars to calculate the base premium; the final premium also reflects your insurer's expense multiplier, experience modification (EMR), payroll audits, policy deductibles, and any endorsements or credits for loss control programs.
Cal/OSHA Compliance Requirements
Boat building and repair shops must follow Cal/OSHA requirements under Title 8, including maintaining an Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP), Hazard Communication for paints and resins, Respiratory Protection when sanding or spraying, Fall Protection for work on elevated decks, and Permit-Required Confined Space procedures for tanks and voids. Specific controls such as ventilation for spray booths, respiratory fit testing, welding fume control, and hot work permits should be implemented and documented.
How Key HR Helps Employers Under Class Code 6834
A PEO like Key HR helps employers in this class improve classification accuracy, implement targeted loss control (respiratory programs, confined-space procedures, and safe rigging), and manage claims with a dedicated claims advocate to reduce costs. Key HR can also provide centralized payroll reporting, OSHA-compliant safety program templates, group purchasing for medical and safety services, and return-to-work programs that lower experience modification and future premiums.
Get a QuoteFrequently Asked Questions
If I only do occasional mobile repairs at marinas, do I still use class 6834?
Yes. Employees who perform hands-on boat repair or mechanical service at marinas, docks or customer sites are typically included in class 6834. If mobile work is a minority and your primary business is different, a split payroll approach may be appropriate—discuss classification with Key HR to ensure accurate coding.
What are the quickest ways to reduce workers' comp costs for a boatyard?
Prioritize written safety programs (IIPP), enforce respiratory protection and ventilation for sanding and spraying, implement confined-space and hot work permit systems, invest in mechanical lifting aids and secure blocked setups, and maintain timely return-to-work plans. These measures reduce claim frequency and severity and can lower your experience modification and premiums.
Do painters and polishers belong in this code or a separate painting class?
Gelcoat and marine topcoat application tied directly to boat building or repair is normally reported in class 6834. However, if you operate a standalone commercial painting business whose primary work is general-purpose painting (not boat-specific), a different painting classification may apply. Accurate job descriptions and payroll allocation are key to correct coding.
Quick Facts
- Class Code
- 6834
- Classification
- Boat Building Or Repairing
- Pure Premium Rate
- $4.623 / $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 6834?
Key HR provides California employers with pay-as-you-go workers' comp, HR compliance support, and payroll — all through one PEO partnership.