Class Code 8389
Auto Or Truck Repair Facilities
Class Code 8389 covers work done in auto and truck repair facilities in California, from light-duty automotive shops to diesel truck service centers. The approved pure premium rate for September 1, 2026 is $3.239 per $100 of payroll, which serves as the base for workers' comp pricing for these operations. Understanding what is and isn't included under 8389 helps you assign payroll correctly, control losses, and stay Cal/OSHA compliant.
What Class Code 8389 Covers
This classification applies to businesses whose primary operations are mechanical repair, maintenance, and diagnostics on automobiles, light trucks, and heavy-duty trucks. Typical covered operations include engine repair and overhaul, transmission and clutch work, brake repair, diesel engine service, electrical and electronic diagnostics, welding and fabrication related to vehicle repair, and installation of parts and accessories. Work performed in a fixed repair facility, mobile service units that conduct on-site repairs, and fleet maintenance garages generally falls under 8389 when employees perform hands-on mechanical tasks. Administrative or purely clerical staff working in the same business are normally coded separately; only payroll for employees performing repair, servicing, or shop labor is included in this class.
Who It Applies To
- Independent auto repair shops and general automotive garages
- Diesel and heavy-truck repair facilities and fleet maintenance shops
- Mobile mechanics who perform on-site repairs and diagnostics
- Brake, transmission, and engine rebuilding specialists
- Tire and alignment shops that perform mechanical servicing
- Shops that perform welding/fabrication as part of vehicle repair
Common Job Duties
- Diagnosing vehicle faults using scanners and test equipment
- Removing and installing engines, transmissions, brake systems, and other major components
- Performing welding, cutting, and fabrication on chassis or exhaust systems
- Changing fluids, filters, and belts; performing tune-ups and preventive maintenance
- Lifting and supporting vehicles on hoists and jacks and operating vehicle lifts
- Handling and storing automotive chemicals, solvents, fuels, and refrigerants
- Inspecting, mounting, and balancing tires and performing alignments
Common Injury Risks
Understanding the $3.239 Rate
The pure premium rate of $3.239 per $100 of payroll is the WCIRB-approved base that represents expected claim costs for this class. Insurers multiply that rate by your assigned payroll (divided by 100) to calculate the loss component of your premium, then apply experience modifications, policy-level charges, state assessments, and insurer expense/load factors to produce the final premium. Key drivers that change your actual premium include your experience modification (loss history), accurate payroll classification between codes, the mix of light vs. heavy repair work, and results of any premium audits or endorsements.
Cal/OSHA Compliance Requirements
Cal/OSHA requires auto and truck repair employers to implement and document controls for hazardous energy (lockout/tagout), Hazard Communication with up-to-date SDSs and employee training, appropriate personal protective equipment, and respirator programs when required. Employers must also provide training and certification for powered industrial trucks, maintain vehicle lift inspection logs, control welding and cutting hazards, and keep injury/illness records and required safety training documentation available for inspection. Regular hazard assessments, written safety programs, and employee training tailored to shop hazards are essential to meet California standards.
How Key HR Helps Employers Under Class Code 8389
A PEO like Key HR can help shops coded under 8389 reduce workers' comp exposure by ensuring accurate payroll classification, providing industry-specific safety programs (lockout/tagout, HAZCOM, welding safety), conducting loss-control inspections, and managing claims and return-to-work programs to shorten claim durations. Key HR also offers centralized payroll and compliance support, access to workers' comp group and loss-sensitive programs, and Cal/OSHA training documentation to help California repair facilities control costs and improve workplace safety.
Get a QuoteFrequently Asked Questions
Are service advisors and office staff included in Class Code 8389?
No. Purely clerical or sales staff should be coded to the clerical class (e.g., office/clerical code) and not to 8389. If a service advisor or other employee performs hands-on mechanical work, their payroll portion for that time should be coded to 8389. Accurate payroll segregation reduces premium overpayments and audit adjustments.
How can an auto repair shop lower its workers' comp premium?
Focus on reducing claim frequency and severity through documented safety programs: routine lift and hoist inspections, mandatory PPE, chemical handling controls, welding fume controls, pre-employment physicals, and an early return-to-work/transitional duty program. Also ensure payroll is properly classified, maintain clean shop housekeeping to prevent slips, and work with a PEO or broker to pursue experience-rating improvements or group-retro programs.
What records and training should I have ready for a Cal/OSHA inspection of my repair shop?
Keep Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for all chemicals, written HAZCOM training records, lockout/tagout procedures and training logs, respirator fit-test and training records if respirators are used, powered industrial truck operator certificates, vehicle lift inspection logs, welding/cutting safety procedures, and injury/illness logs. Maintaining these records demonstrates compliance and helps in preventing penalties.
Quick Facts
- Class Code
- 8389
- Classification
- Auto Or Truck Repair Facilities
- Pure Premium Rate
- $3.239 / $100 payroll
- Effective Date
- September 1, 2026
- Source
- WCIRB Approved Filing
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