Class Code 7410
Aircraft Operation – Agricultural – All Others
Class Code 7410 applies to agricultural aircraft operations in California — primarily aerial application, crop dusting and other airborne agricultural dispersal activities. The approved pure premium rate for September 1, 2026 is $6.393 per $100 of payroll, a baseline insurers use when pricing coverage for these high‑hazard operations.
What Class Code 7410 Covers
This classification covers workers engaged in agricultural aviation: fixed‑wing and rotorcraft pilots who perform crop dusting, aerial seeding, fertilizer or defoliant application, bird or wildlife control, and related dispersal activities. It also includes ground personnel whose duties are integral to aircraft agricultural operations when payroll is reported under the aircraft operation payroll — for example loaders who mix and load spray tanks, fuelers assigned to the aircraft, and mechanics who maintain and repair agricultural aircraft. The code is specific to agricultural uses; routine non‑agricultural flight operations, commercial passenger transport, or unrelated ground farm work should be coded elsewhere. Operations often involve low‑altitude flight, handling and mixing of agrochemicals, rapid turnarounds on fields, and specialized maintenance on spray systems and dispensing gear.
Who It Applies To
- Commercial aerial applicator companies that operate crop dusters and spray planes
- Pilots and flight crews who perform agricultural spraying, seeding, or defoliation
- Ground loaders and chemical handlers who mix and load spray tanks for aircraft
- Aircraft mechanics and avionics technicians servicing agricultural aircraft
- Fuelers and ground support crews assigned to agricultural flight operations
- Companies performing aerial wildlife or vegetation management for agriculture
Common Job Duties
- Preflight and postflight aircraft inspections specific to spray systems and dispersal nozzles
- Mixing, measuring and loading pesticides, fertilizers or seed into aircraft tanks
- Operating spray booms, spray pumps and flow control systems in flight
- Low‑altitude flight operations over fields, orchards and pastures
- Aircraft maintenance and repair focused on spray equipment, engines and airframes
- Refueling aircraft, handling aviation fuel, and servicing ground fueling equipment
- Completing application records, pesticide manifests and regulatory paperwork
Common Injury Risks
Understanding the $6.393 Rate
The pure premium rate of $6.393 per $100 of payroll represents the portion of premium intended to cover expected claim costs for this classification. Insurers start with the pure premium and then add expense loads, loss adjustment expense, and policy-level charges to arrive at the premium an employer pays. An employer's actual premium will also be affected by factors such as experience modification, payroll allocation accuracy, state taxes and assessments, safety programs, and any credits or debits applied by the carrier.
Cal/OSHA Compliance Requirements
Employers must implement a written Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP) and provide job‑specific training for pesticide handling, respiratory protection, and aircraft maintenance hazards under California Title 8 requirements. Agricultural aircraft operations also intersect with state pesticide law administered by the California Department of Pesticide Regulation and county agricultural commissioners; applicators often must be certified and trained in pesticide use, drift reduction, and decontamination procedures. Cal/OSHA also requires appropriate PPE, respirator fit‑testing when required, hazard communication for agrochemicals, and timely workplace injury reporting and recordkeeping.
How Key HR Helps Employers Under Class Code 7410
A PEO like Key HR can help agricultural aircraft operators by ensuring payroll is properly allocated to class code 7410, administering payroll and workers' comp filings accurately to avoid misclassification. Key HR can also deliver tailored safety programs, OSHA‑aligned training (respiratory protection, pesticide handling, aircraft maintenance safety), incident reporting and claims advocacy, and return‑to‑work strategies that help control experience modification and lower long‑term premium costs.
Get a QuoteFrequently Asked Questions
How is Class Code 7410 different from other aircraft or agricultural class codes?
Code 7410 specifically covers agricultural aircraft operations and related payroll for activities like crop dusting and aerial seeding. Non‑agricultural flight operations, passenger or cargo aviation, and unrelated farm labor have different WCIRB classifications and should not be reported to 7410.
Do pilots need special licenses or certifications beyond a pilot certificate?
Yes. In California pilots performing pesticide or fertilizer application typically must comply with state pesticide certification and licensing requirements in addition to FAA pilot and commercial ratings. Employers must also provide pesticide safety training and appropriate PPE.
What practical steps reduce workers' comp costs for agricultural aircraft operations?
Accurate payroll reporting, a formal safety program (IIPP), pesticide handling and respirator training, routine maintenance and preflight check procedures, drug and alcohol testing policies, and a documented return‑to‑work program all reduce claim frequency and severity and help lower premiums over time.
Quick Facts
- Class Code
- 7410
- Classification
- Aircraft Operation – Agricultural – All Others
- Pure Premium Rate
- $6.393 / $100 payroll
- Effective Date
- September 1, 2026
- Source
- WCIRB Approved Filing
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