Class Code 9610
Motion Pictures – Production
Class Code 9610 covers Motion Pictures — Production: the on-set and location activities of film, television and commercial shoots. The California approved pure premium rate for this class is $1.944 per $100 of payroll, an important baseline for budgeting workers' comp costs on any production.
What Class Code 9610 Covers
This classification applies to employers that produce motion picture content, including studio and location production activities performed by the cast and crew when employed by the production company. Typical operations include camera and lighting setups, sound recording, set construction and strike, rigging and grip work, art department installation, wardrobe/hair/makeup when on payroll, unit transportation and on-set logistics. It covers both studio-bound shoots and location filming in the field, including use of generators, temporary scaffolding, cranes, camera trucks and grip rigs. It does not describe distribution, exhibition, post-production only companies, or unrelated administrative office work that should be reported to their proper office or clerical class code.
Who It Applies To
- Feature film and television production companies (studio and independent)
- Commercial and branded-content production houses
- On-set crew: camera operators, gaffers, grips, sound technicians
- Set carpenters, scenic artists and prop/paint departments
- Location managers, production assistants and unit drivers
- Art department, wardrobe, hair and makeup staff employed by the production
Common Job Duties
- Assembling, rigging and striking sets, scenery and backdrops
- Installing and operating lighting grids, generators and power distribution
- Operating cameras, cranes, dollies and associated camera support equipment
- Recording location sound, booms and wireless systems
- Moving heavy equipment, grip trucks and props between locations
- On-set traffic control, load-in/load-out and driving production vehicles
- Coordinating special effects, practical effects setups and prop handling
Common Injury Risks
Understanding the $1.944 Rate
The pure premium rate of $1.944 per $100 of payroll is the base cost assigned to class 9610 that represents expected claim costs. To estimate a policy premium multiply payroll/100 by 1.944, then expect adjustments for your employer experience modification, insurer expense/administrative loads, state assessments and any policy-level credits or surcharges. Final premium is affected by your claims history, payroll mix (how much payroll goes into this class versus lower-risk classes), safety program strength and any endorsements for higher-risk exposures.
Cal/OSHA Compliance Requirements
Productions in California must comply with applicable Cal/OSHA standards: maintain a written Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP), follow fall protection and scaffold rules, meet electrical and lockout/tagout requirements, and enforce heat illness prevention and hearing conservation where applicable. Permit-required work such as pyrotechnics, confined space entries, crane lifts or explosives require qualified supervisors, permits and written procedures and must be coordinated with local authorities and Cal/OSHA expectations. Prompt reporting and thorough on-set documentation of serious injuries and exposures are required under California rules.
How Key HR Helps Employers Under Class Code 9610
As a PEO, Key HR can co-employ your cast and crew, ensure accurate payroll reporting into class 9610, and centralize claims management to speed medical care and return-to-work. We provide loss-control consulting, on-set safety training, OSHA-compliant written programs, and advocate with carriers to address classifications and experience modification — all of which help control premium volatility for production clients operating in California.
Get a QuoteFrequently Asked Questions
Are actors, stunt performers and background artists reported under class 9610?
If actors, stunt performers or background artists are on the production company's payroll, their wages are typically reported to the production classification, but high-risk specialties such as stunts or pyrotechnic performers often require separate classifications, endorsements or higher premiums. Always confirm classification with your broker, insurer or Key HR to avoid misreporting.
What practical steps lower workers' comp costs on a production?
Document a formal safety plan and IIPP, assign a qualified set safety supervisor, require rigging and electrical certifications, run toolbox talks and site-specific hazard briefings, enforce PPE, use return-to-work transitional duty programs and keep detailed incident records. Strong loss-control and fast, managed claims reduce experience mods and premium over time.
How should I report freelance crew, union hires or payroll paid through vendors?
Freelancers and union hires must be classified based on how they are engaged: W-2 employees are reported on payroll; bona fide independent contractors are not reported but require careful vetting and written agreements. Many productions use PEO co-employment or payroll vendors to ensure correct payroll reporting, with Key HR able to co-employ workers, issue payroll, and supply accurate class reporting and certificates of insurance to unions and vendors.
Quick Facts
- Class Code
- 9610
- Classification
- Motion Pictures – Production
- Pure Premium Rate
- $1.944 / $100 payroll
- Effective Date
- September 1, 2026
- Source
- WCIRB Approved Filing
Manage Workers' Comp Through a PEO
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Get a Quoteor call (800) 922-4133Ready to Simplify Workers' Comp for Class Code 9610?
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