Class Code 9053
Health Clubs Or Gyms; Swimming Pools/Clubs; Clubs – Racquet Sports
Class code 9053 covers California employers operating health clubs, fitness centers, swimming pools and racquet-sport clubs. The WCIRB-approved pure premium rate for September 1, 2026 is $1.889 per $100 of payroll, which informs base workers' comp pricing for these operations.
What Class Code 9053 Covers
This classification applies to businesses that provide fitness and athletic facilities where employees supervise or operate gym equipment, teach fitness classes, manage pool operations, or maintain racquet courts. Included operations typically consist of front-desk and membership staff, custodial and maintenance work on equipment and pool systems, lifeguarding and aquatic supervision, and in-house instructors and personal trainers employed by the facility. Tasks unique to this code include routine pool chemical testing and dosing, operation and maintenance of filtration and circulation equipment, setup and teardown of class equipment, and court maintenance for tennis, racquetball, or pickleball. The code covers indoor and outdoor facilities and seasonal variations in exposures (for example outdoor courts subject to heat exposure). Independent contractors or studio-only instructors may be classified differently depending on employment arrangements and payroll reporting.
Who It Applies To
- Commercial health clubs and fitness centers employing front-desk staff, trainers, and maintenance crews
- Municipal or private aquatic centers, swim clubs, and pool-based instruction programs
- Racquet-sport clubs (tennis, racquetball, pickleball) with on-site court maintenance and pro staff
- Boutique gyms or studios that employ instructors and manage facility equipment and locker rooms
- Employers who directly employ lifeguards, pool operators, and in-house personal trainers
Common Job Duties
- Lifeguarding, water rescue, incident response, and routine pool deck surveillance
- Testing, balancing, and handling pool chemicals; operating filtration and circulation systems
- Leading group fitness classes, one-on-one personal training, and providing exercise instruction
- Front-desk operations, membership sales, registration, and cash handling
- Routine cleaning of locker rooms, pool decks, and gym areas including slip-hazard control
- Inspection, preventive maintenance, and repair of cardio/strength equipment and court surfaces
- Setting up/breaking down class equipment (mats, weights, racks) and moving heavy items
Common Injury Risks
Understanding the $1.889 Rate
The pure premium rate of $1.889 per $100 of payroll is the WCIRB-calculated cost to cover expected claim costs before insurer expenses and credits. To estimate pure premium, divide payroll by 100 and multiply by 1.889 (for example, $100,000 payroll results in $1,889 pure premium). Actual employer premiums will vary after applying your insurance carrier's expense loadings, experience modification, policy credits/surcharges, and any deductible or retrospective rating programs.
Cal/OSHA Compliance Requirements
California employers in this classification must implement a written Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP) under Title 8 §3203 and maintain Hazard Communication per §5194 when storing and using pool chemicals. Bloodborne Pathogens regulations (§5193) apply to handling bodily fluids and first-aid incidents; employers should provide appropriate PPE and training. Heat Illness Prevention (§3395) and general industry safety orders are relevant for outdoor courts and equipment maintenance; local health department and CDPH pool operation requirements also govern water quality and operator certification.
How Key HR Helps Employers Under Class Code 9053
A PEO like Key HR helps employers correctly classify payroll, centralize payroll reporting, and implement loss-control programs tailored to fitness and aquatic facilities (lifeguard training, chemical-handling procedures, slip-prevention). Key HR can manage claims and return-to-work plans to reduce lost-time exposure, negotiate competitive workers' comp programs through aggregated buying power, and provide standardized safety training and audit support to lower experience modification and long-term premium costs.
Get a QuoteFrequently Asked Questions
Are personal trainers and class instructors included in Class 9053?
Yes, in-house personal trainers and employed fitness instructors who receive payroll from the club are typically reported under 9053. Independent contractors or rent-a-trainer arrangements may be classified differently, so proper payroll reporting and written agreements are important.
Do lifeguards require special documentation or training for California compliance?
While specific credentials are set by the employer and local health authorities, employers should maintain documentation of lifeguard certifications (CPR, AED, lifeguard certification), regular in-service training, and chemical-handling training to meet Cal/OSHA IIPP expectations and to support emergency response compliance.
What practical steps can lower workers' comp costs for a gym or pool?
Implement an active IIPP, routine lifeguard and equipment safety training, written chemical-handling procedures with SDS access, slip-resistant flooring and housekeeping, structured return-to-work programs, and timely claims reporting. These measures reduce claim frequency and severity and can lower your experience modification and overall premiums.
Quick Facts
- Class Code
- 9053
- Classification
- Health Clubs Or Gyms; Swimming Pools/Clubs; Clubs – Racquet Sports
- Pure Premium Rate
- $1.889 / $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 9053?
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