Class Code 8631
Racing Stables – All Other Employees
Class Code 8631 covers non-jockey employees who work in Thoroughbred and Standardbred racing stables and barns. The California pure premium rate for this class is $10.134 per $100 of payroll, a baseline used to calculate workers' compensation costs for stable staff.
What Class Code 8631 Covers
This classification applies to the day-to-day stable and barn operations supporting racehorses rather than the licensed jockeys. Typical operations include stall and turnout care, grooming, feeding and watering, basic medical and medication administration under veterinary direction, tack handling, and barn maintenance. It also covers personnel who handle barn equipment, operate small tractors or skid loaders for manure and bedding, and staff working at starting gates, hot-walking, or catch crew duties. Work performed indoors in barns and outdoors on training tracks or paddocks is included when performed by these non-jockey employees.
Who It Applies To
- Grooms and stable hands responsible for cleaning stalls, grooming, and turnout
- Hot walkers and exercise support crew who cool and walk horses pre/post workout
- Barn attendants and stall cleaners who handle bedding, manure removal, and feeding
- Barn maintenance staff who repair stalls, fences, and equipment
- Starting gate crew, catchers, and handlers who assist during saddling and races
- Feed and tack handlers and barn managers supervising daily stable operations
Common Job Duties
- Mucking stalls, shoveling and wheelbarrowing bedding and manure
- Leading, catching and restraining horses during grooming, tacking, and vet care
- Feeding, mixing feed and supplements, and filling water troughs
- Grooming, saddling and bridling, and basic exercise assistance
- Operating small tractors, skid steers or mechanical equipment for yard maintenance
- Cleaning and disinfecting stalls, tack, and equipment, and performing routine barn repairs
- Administering medications or injections under veterinary supervision and handling syringes
Common Injury Risks
Understanding the $10.134 Rate
The pure premium rate of $10.134 per $100 of payroll is the WCIRB-approved amount representing expected claim costs for this class before expense loads and adjustments. Insurers multiply this rate by your payroll in hundreds of dollars to produce a base premium, then apply your company’s experience modification, policy fees, state assessments, and any discounts. Final premium can change based on your claims history, housekeeping of payroll classification reporting, payroll mix between higher- and lower-risk employees, and implemented safety programs.
Cal/OSHA Compliance Requirements
California employers with racing stable staff must comply with Cal/OSHA general industry safety orders, including the Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP) requirement and heat illness prevention for outdoor work. Hazard Communication (for chemicals and medications), respiratory protection for dusty/manure-handling tasks, confined space and ventilation controls for manure pits, and training in safe animal handling are commonly triggered. Documented training, PPE use, and regular safety inspections will help meet Title 8 requirements and reduce enforcement risk.
How Key HR Helps Employers Under Class Code 8631
A PEO like Key HR centralizes payroll reporting, classification audits, and claims advocacy to reduce misclassification and contested claims that drive up costs. Key HR provides California-specific safety templates, on-site or virtual training in animal handling and manure management, return-to-work programs to limit indemnity exposure, and proactive case management to control medical costs and experience modification impacts.
Get a QuoteFrequently Asked Questions
Are jockeys and professional exercise riders included in Class Code 8631?
No. Licensed jockeys and professional exercise riders are typically classified under different codes specific to mounted workers. Class Code 8631 applies to non-jockey stable staff; confirm exact coding with your insurer or Key HR during policy setup.
What practical steps lower workers' comp costs for a racing stable?
Focus on documented animal-handling training, mandatory PPE (hoof boots, gloves), mechanical aids for heavy lifting, manure and ventilation controls, pre-shift stretching and ergonomics, early reporting and light-duty return-to-work plans, and accurate payroll classification to avoid rate leakage.
Does Key HR provide California-compliant safety training specific to racing stables?
Yes. Key HR delivers California-specific programs including IIPP templates, animal handling and restraint training, confined space awareness for manure pits, heat illness prevention, and claims management tailored to racing stable exposures.
Quick Facts
- Class Code
- 8631
- Classification
- Racing Stables – All Other Employees
- Pure Premium Rate
- $10.134 / $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 8631?
Key HR provides California employers with pay-as-you-go workers' comp, HR compliance support, and payroll — all through one PEO partnership.