Class Code 8304
Grain Elevators Or Storage Warehouses
Class Code 8304 covers operations at grain elevators and bulk storage warehouses in California where grain, oilseeds, pulses or similar commodities are received, stored, transferred and loaded. The approved pure premium for California effective September 1, 2026 is $7.348 per $100 of payroll — a rate that reflects the unique hazards of bulk grain handling and storage.
What Class Code 8304 Covers
This classification applies to facilities that handle bulk agricultural commodities in storage bins, silos, hopper floors and terminal elevators — including receiving from trucks or railcars, conveyor and bucket-elevator transfer, drying and aeration, sampling and quality inspection, loading for shipment, and long-term storage. It covers fixed-site storage terminals and on-site elevators at farms or cooperatives where employees routinely enter bins, service fans and dust-collection systems, perform housekeeping in grain accumulation areas, or apply fumigants and pesticides. Routine maintenance and repair of motors, conveyors, grain dryers and inerting systems at those facilities are included. It does not generally apply to primary grain milling or feed manufacturing where substantial processing or blending changes commodity classification; those operations are usually coded separately.
Who It Applies To
- Grain elevator operators and terminal managers
- Bulk storage warehouse workers and silo attendants
- Conveyor and bucket-elevator operators and mechanics
- Forklift/powered industrial truck drivers at bulk terminals
- Maintenance technicians performing equipment repair and cleaning
- Fumigation and pest-control technicians working inside storage bins
Common Job Duties
- Receiving grain from trucks and railcars; operating pit and sweep augers
- Transferring product via conveyors, bucket elevators and legs
- Sampling, testing moisture, conditioning, drying and aeration
- Cleaning bins and hoppers, including housekeeping for grain dust
- Entering silos and bins for inspection, repair or rescue (confined space entry)
- Maintaining and repairing conveyors, fans, motors, and dust collectors
Common Injury Risks
Understanding the $7.348 Rate
The approved pure premium of $7.348 per $100 of payroll is the portion of workers' compensation that covers expected claim costs for this class before insurer expenses and adjustments. An employer's actual premium is calculated by applying this pure premium to payroll for employees in Code 8304 and then adjusting for the insurer's loss cost multiplier, the employer's experience modification (e-mod), schedule credits/debits, and any policy-level endorsements. Payroll splits, misclassification, a poor claims history, or lack of documented safety programs can increase the premium an employer ultimately pays.
Cal/OSHA Compliance Requirements
Cal/OSHA enforcement focuses on the hazards unique to grain handling: permit-required confined space entry and retrieval plans, combustible dust control and housekeeping, licensed pesticide/fumigant application when used, respiratory protection and fit-testing, fall protection for work on bins and catwalks, and powered industrial truck training. Facilities should mirror federal Grain Handling best practices (29 CFR 1910.272) and maintain written programs for confined space entry, lockout/tagout, respiratory protection, combustible-dust housekeeping, and emergency rescue tailored to their site-specific conditions.
How Key HR Helps Employers Under Class Code 8304
A PEO like Key HR can help employers in this classification by ensuring correct payroll classification and splitting for mixed operations, placing coverage with carriers experienced in agricultural bulk storage risks, and coordinating targeted loss-prevention measures such as confined-space rescue plans, combustible-dust mitigation, and powered industrial truck training. Key HR also manages claims reporting and return-to-work programs, which improves experience modification over time and can materially reduce workers' comp costs.
Get a QuoteFrequently Asked Questions
Does Class Code 8304 include grain milling or feed manufacturing?
Not usually. 8304 covers storage and transfer operations for bulk grain and similar commodities. Facilities that perform substantial processing, grinding, mixing or manufacturing of feed are typically assigned a different classification because processing introduces different exposures and loss patterns.
What are the most effective steps to reduce comp claims at a grain elevator?
Prioritize confined-space entry procedures and rescue capability, implement aggressive dust-control and housekeeping, establish lockout/tagout for equipment servicing, require respiratory protection and fit-testing where dust or fumigants are present, train forklift and elevated-work crews, and document all training and inspections to demonstrate proactive risk management.
How will using a PEO change my workers' comp billing and claims handling?
A PEO can centralize payroll and workers' comp billing, ensure employees are assigned to the correct class codes, handle claims intake and defense, place coverage with specialized markets, and provide proactive safety services. This integrated approach often yields faster reporting, better-managed medical care and improved return-to-work outcomes that lower long-term costs.
Quick Facts
- Class Code
- 8304
- Classification
- Grain Elevators Or Storage Warehouses
- Pure Premium Rate
- $7.348 / $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 8304?
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