Class Code 8393
Auto Or Truck Body Repairing And Painting
Class code 8393 covers auto and truck body repairing and painting operations in California, from collision panel replacement to spray booth finishing. The September 1, 2026 approved pure premium is $2.831 per $100 of payroll, which reflects expected claim costs for these higher‑hazard shop activities.
What Class Code 8393 Covers
This classification applies to businesses whose primary operations are repairing, straightening, reshaping, and refinishing vehicle bodies and truck cabs, and applying primers and topcoats in spray booths or mobile setups. Typical work includes panel beating, frame straightening, metal patching and welding specific to bodywork, surface preparation (sanding, grinding, chemical stripping), masking, paint mixing and color matching, and spray application of primers and topcoats. It covers both light‑duty auto and heavy truck body repair shops, fleet body shops that perform in‑house collision repairs, and mobile body/paint units that bring spray and prep services to a site. This code does not generally cover mechanical engine repair, diagnostic work, or towing—those operations use different WCIRB classifications when they are primary to the business.
Who It Applies To
- Collision repair and auto body shops (small to large)
- Truck and fleet body shops that repair cabs, boxes, or panels
- Automotive paint shops and spray‑booth operations
- Mobile paint/repair units that perform on‑site refinishing
- Body techs, structural/frame technicians, and spray painters
Common Job Duties
- Surface preparation: sanding, grinding, and chemical stripping of panels
- Panel repair: hammering, dolly work, metal patching and MIG/TIG welding for body panels
- Frame straightening and alignment using hydraulic tools and bench presses
- Masking, priming, mixing paint and color matching
- Operating spray guns in booths or portable rigs and monitoring booth ventilation
- Buffing, polishing, and final finish detailing; solvent cleanup and waste handling
Common Injury Risks
Understanding the $2.831 Rate
The pure premium of $2.831 per $100 of payroll estimates expected claim costs only; insurers multiply this loss cost by their expense and profit factors, and then apply your company’s experience modification, schedule credits/penalties, and any premium discounts to set the final premium. Final cost is affected by your actual payroll mix under this code, loss history, safety programs, audit findings, and whether exposures (e.g., welding or lead work) push payroll into other classifications.
Cal/OSHA Compliance Requirements
Auto and truck body shops must follow Cal/OSHA requirements for hazardous materials and airborne contaminants, including hazard communication for paints/solvents and a written respiratory protection program with fit testing when respirators are used. Spray booth ventilation, local exhaust, solvent storage and bonding/grounding to prevent static ignition, PPE (gloves, eye protection, and protective clothing), and training on chemical hazards are essential. Additional rules—such as lead and welding fume controls and medical surveillance—apply when those exposures are present; employers must assess hazards and document controls.
How Key HR Helps Employers Under Class Code 8393
A PEO like Key HR helps shops reduce workers' comp costs through tailored loss control—booth ventilation checks, respirator program management, on‑site safety training, and return‑to‑work plans that speed recovery and reduce indemnity exposure. Key HR also centralizes claims handling, provides claims advocacy to control medical costs, and ensures accurate payroll classification and timely audits to avoid misclassification surcharges that can inflate premiums.
Get a QuoteFrequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my employees belong under class code 8393 or another code?
Use 8393 when the primary business activity is body repairing and painting—panel straightening, welding for bodywork, sanding, priming, and spray application. If most payroll is engine repair, towing, glass replacement, or mechanical service, those operations use different WCIRB codes. Accurate payroll allocation during audits is critical.
What practical steps reduce workers' comp costs for a body shop?
Implement a written respiratory protection program with fit testing, maintain spray booth ventilation and bonding/grounding, provide PPE and training for chemical handling, enforce safe welding and grinding practices, perform regular housekeeping to reduce slip and fire hazards, and run a formal post‑injury return‑to‑work program to shorten lost‑time claims.
Do painters need medical surveillance and special training?
Yes—when exposures to isocyanates, lead, or other regulated substances are present, employers must provide hazard training, appropriate respirators and fit testing, and medical surveillance when required by exposure assessments. Even when not mandatory, documented training on safe spray techniques and chemical handling reduces health risks and claim frequency.
Quick Facts
- Class Code
- 8393
- Classification
- Auto Or Truck Body Repairing And Painting
- Pure Premium Rate
- $2.831 / $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 8393?
Key HR provides California employers with pay-as-you-go workers' comp, HR compliance support, and payroll — all through one PEO partnership.