Pennsylvania requires most employers to carry sufficient workers’ compensation insurance to provide benefits to injured workers. To determine the appropriate amount of insurance, Pennsylvania insurance companies use classification numbers to group together similar types of jobs and industries. These classification codes take into account the duties performed by employees and the dangers they encounter on a daily basis to determine the appropriate rate for that situation. In this workers’ comp code lookup guide, we explain what workers’ compensation is, how insurance companies use these tools, and how to locate workers’ comp classification codes.
Krasno Krasno & Onwudinjo has helped employees recover over $1.1 Billion in workers’ compensation benefits after suffering on-the-job injuries. Our Pennsylvania workers’ compensation lawyers provide exceptional representation to injured workers, leaving no stone unturned in finding all avenues for recovery. We understand how important it is for hurt workers to return to work so they can support themselves and their loved ones.
Table of Contents
What Is Workers’ Compensation?
Workers’ compensation is a system of laws and regulations that applies to employers with employees or workers in their workforce. Under the Pennsylvania workers’ compensation laws, most employers must carry workers’ compensation insurance, which covers certain expenses and lost wages if an employee suffers an injury while on the job. Workers who are eligible for coverage are those who have an employment relationship with the business, such as full-time, part-time, or even some temporary workers. In limited circumstances, employers may need to have insurance to cover independent contractors. In addition, workers’ comp covers any employee injured while at work who also receives occupational health and safety coverage while performing their duties.
An employee can receive three main types of compensation through worker’s compensation. The first is medical benefits, which cover the cost of any necessary medical treatment related to the injury. The second is wage replacement benefits, which provide the injured employee with a portion of their lost wages while they are unable to work. The third type of benefit is death benefits, which provide financial support to the surviving family in the event of a fatal workplace accident.
What Are Workers’ Compensation Class Codes?
Workers’ compensation class codes allow employers to categorize their employees according to the type of work they do and how much risk is associated with that type of work. This helps insurance companies determine the rates they will charge for workers’ compensation insurance and the coverage an employer must have in place. Each state has its rules about using a coding system to classify employees and industries. For that reason, employers with multiple locations need to be familiar with the codes used in each state where they do business.
Why Is It Important to Classify Jobs Within an Organization?
In many cases, employers assign workers’ compensation class codes to their employees during the hiring process or when the employer signs up for workers’ compensation insurance. The employer should also use these codes when reporting payroll information to determine how much insurance coverage needs to be in place. Employers would benefit from ensuring the class codes they use are accurate because it can be difficult and costly to make changes after they hire the employees.
In addition, if an employer does not have the correct amount of workers’ compensation insurance in place, they may be liable for any injuries or illnesses suffered by their employees. This can lead to significant financial losses for the employer, as well as possible legal action if they do not have business insurance that covers their employees. To avoid this, employers must take the time to ensure that their class codes are accurate and up to date.
Employers should also take care when classifying employees as workers entitled to benefits or independent contractors who are not. The law does not solely look at the employer’s perspective when deciding if the worker is an independent contractor or an employee. Instead, the courts look to several factors, such as the level of control the employer has over the worker and whether the alleged contractor has their own business. If the court determines that, based on the factors, the worker is an employee, the employer may be liable for damages if the workers’ compensation insurance does not provide adequate coverage.
How Are Workers’ Comp Class Codes Used?
Workers’ compensation class codes are used to determine the risk involved in the work performed at a company. The employer’s safety record and the level of financial protection needed can impact the amount of the premium the employer pays for workers’ compensation. The class code associated with the company also impacts the multiplier and the overall premium. Employers can use class codes to anticipate their workers’ compensation insurance costs. In some cases, they can lower their risk (and their rates) by improving workplace safety conditions and implementing safety training programs for their employees.
Employers can help keep costs down and improve their bottom line by using class codes to rate the risk and price of workers’ compensation insurance policies for their line of work. When an employer reviews their class codes, it allows them to help ensure that everyone involved in their business has physical and financial protection against potential workplace dangers.
By ensuring that adequate safety measures are in place and employees have the proper training and knowledge about how to protect themselves at work, employers can help significantly lower their workers’ comp insurance costs. Reviewing line class codes also helps employers stay up-to-date with the most recent industry information and keeps them abreast of any new concerns or developments in today’s world of worker’s compensation.
Are Workers’ Comp Codes Different by State, or Are They Universal?
The codes are different by state, as is typically the case with code systems related to workers’ compensation. There are vast differences in how these classification systems work and fit within a company’s infrastructure. Some states require that codes be changed based on corporate ownership changes and new business underwriting requirements. Others do not.
While this may not seem significant, it can make workers’ compensation unnecessarily complex for employers, employees, and insurance carriers alike. In some states, the inconsistent application of classifications can lead to miscalculations of rates that cause employers to overpay for their coverage or be hit with significant audit liabilities. In turn, this can harm employees or make it more difficult for employees to get the workers’ compensation payments they need because their employer does not have adequate insurance.
What Workmen’s Comp Code System Does Pennsylvania Use?
Most states use the classification codes created by the National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI). But, unlike other states, Pennsylvania does not use the NCCI. Instead, the Pennsylvania Compensation Rating Bureau (PCRB) determines the classification codes for businesses within Pennsylvania. The PCRB also assigns each company a classification based on the types of work the business or workers engage in.
The idea behind the rating system is that it can group similar businesses into a singular category to streamline the rating process. Without this system, the insurance company would have to make these decisions on a case-by-case basis, which can be costly, inefficient, and inaccurate. If the employer, the PCRB, and the insurance company all disagree on the appropriate classification, the employer can ask the PCRB to reevaluate the company and assign a different rating.
Under Pennsylvania law, insurance companies can also create and assign subclassifications, which further categorize businesses into smaller categories. The Pennsylvania Insurance Department must approve the insurance company’s subclassifications before the company can use this to assign rates to businesses. Each classification code (or subclassification, as the case may be) carries a different multiplier, which the company uses to determine the employer’s premium. The employer’s workers’ compensation premium is determined by the insurance company they choose, the classification of their business (and therefore their multiplier), their annual payroll, and other factors.
How Are Workers’ Comp Codes Assigned?
When employers hire workers, they classify the workers by the work they do. They can suggest a classification code based on their understanding of the system and the workers’ roles in the company. The PCRB and insurance companies also determine the classification for the employees. If these codes do not match up, the employer may pay for too much or too little coverage, which can negatively impact the employee. To ensure accuracy and consistency, the employer can ask the PCRB to take a second look at the circumstances and assign a new code.
The code typically correlates to the industry of the job, the duties performed by people in the position, the level of risk associated with those tasks, and the safety rating of the individual employer. Insurance companies can also use subclassifications (with the Pennsylvania Insurance Department’s approval) to categorize jobs into smaller labels. These factors all interact to impact the risk rating of each code. A job or company can have multiple types of codes assigned to it to encompass the full breadth of the role.
Where Can I Find Out More About the Workers’ Comp Class Code in Pennsylvania?
You can find the workers’ comp classification code by searching online. For example, the PCRB has a convenient, free tool that you can use to find out the various classification codes. Additionally, you can find a workers’ comp lookup tool by scrolling down to the end of this article. Your employer may also provide information about its classification code and the type of workers’ compensation insurance it carries. Keep in mind that some employers have more than one code if the work that they do intersects with multiple types of industries.
How to Use the Workers’ Comp Code Lookup Tool
Most workers’ comp lookup tools are easy to use. To use the PCRB tool online, you simply search for the industry that your employer is in and scroll to find the applicable codes. The tool provided at the end of this post works in much the same way. For help, consider contacting a workers’ compensation attorney who can guide you through the process.
Contact the Experienced Workers’ Comp Attorneys at Krasno Krasno & Onwudinjo
A work injury can completely change your life, creating an uncomfortable and scary new normal in an instant. Filing a workers’ compensation claim can put you on the path to receiving the benefits you need to cover your wages and medical expenses while you heal, but sometimes it can be difficult to know where to start.
Krasno Kasno & Onwudinjo simplifies the process by taking care of the legal matters for injured workers, so they have less stress in their life, not more. Each client has a five-member team that helps to manage their medical care and the legal process so clients feel taken care of during the process. Jason Krasno represents the third generation of workers’ compensation attorneys in his family. He leans on the impressive legacy of his father and grandfather to provide exceptional and passionate legal representation to workers who are hurt and need benefits.
If you were hurt on the job, call us today at 844-243-4843 or contact us online to schedule your free consultation.
Other Workers’ Comp Code Resources
- Pennsylvania PCRB Classification Codes
- Workers’ Compensation Insurance Organizations (WCIO)
- Krasno Krasno & Onwudinjo Resource Center
Search Your Workers’ Comp Code Here
Worker’s Comp Code | Description |
---|---|
962 | Accounting or Auditing Firm |
679 | Advertising Company – Outdoor |
673 | Advertising Sign Mfg. |
744 | Aircraft Mfg. |
7421 | Aircraft Operation Business |
7413 | Aircraft Operation Commuter |
7405 | Aircraft Operation Scheduled |
7424 | Aircraft Operation, N.O.C. |
9108 | Aircraft Passenger Seat Surcharge |
7428 | Airport Operation – Ground Employees |
660 | Alarm/Sound System Installation or Repair |
807 | Ambulance Service – Non-Volunteer |
968 | Amusement – Indoor |
969 | Amusement – Outdoor |
34 | Animal Raising – Poultry, Egg Production, Fish Hatcheries, Etc. |
880 | Apartment House |
161 | Apparel Mfg. |
662 | Appliance Service or Repair |
509 | Asbestos Goods Mfg. |
970 | Athletic Team |
820 | Automobile Auction |
451 | Automobile Body Mfg. |
818 | Automobile Dealer |
861 | Automobile Dismantlers |
816 | Automobile Filling Station |
463 | Automobile Mfg. |
934 | Automobile Parts/Accessory Store – Retail or Wholesale |
815 | Automobile Service Center |
825 | Automobile Storage Garage/Parking Station Lot |
918 | Bakery Shop – Retail |
105 | Bakery – Wholesale |
467 | Ball Bearing Mfg. |
988 | Bank |
899 | Bar/Tavern/Cocktail Lounge/Nightclub |
977 | Barber Shop, Beauty Parlor or Hairstyling Salon |
475 | Battery Mfg. |
821 | Beverage Distributor |
112 | Beverage Mfg., N.O.C. |
718 | Boat Bldg. or Repair – PA coverage only |
6824F | Boat Building/Repair |
677 | Boiler Installation |
108 | Brewery |
512 | Brick Mfg., N.O.C. |
936 | Broadcasting Station |
817 | Bus Operation |
311 | Cabinet Works |
759 | Cable Television Operations |
978 | Camp, Summer or Winter |
107 | Candy Mfg. |
681 | Canvas Goods Erection |
166 | Canvas/Burlap Products Mfg. |
416 | Car Mfg. – Railroad |
939 | Carnival/Circus/Amusement Device Operator – Traveling |
648 | Carpentry – Cabinets – Installation |
652 | Carpentry – Detached Dwellings |
305 | Carpentry Shop |
651 | Carpentry, N.O.C. |
4775 | Cartridge Loading/Charging |
9741 | Catastrophe (Other than Certified Acts of Terrorism) |
898 | Caterer |
649 | Ceiling Installation |
501 | Cement Mfg. |
999 | Cemetery |
987 | Check Cashing Services |
551 | Chemical Mfg. or Processing, N.O.C. |
963 | Church |
980 | City, Township, Borough or County |
916 | Clothing/Dry Goods Store |
944 | Club |
896 | Club, N.O.C. |
7313F | Coal Dock Operation and Stevedoring |
810 | Coal Trucking |
965 | Colleges or Schools, N.O.C. |
971 | Commercial Buildings |
485 | Communications, Search, Detection or Signal Processing Equip. Mfg. |
654 | Concrete Construction |
511 | Concrete Products Mfg. |
465 | Conveyor Mfg. |
932 | Copying or Duplicating Service |
261 | Corrugated Box Container Mfg. |
36 | Dairy Farm |
109 | Dairy Products Mfg. |
814 | Dealer in Mobile, Self-Propelled Equipment |
489 | Dental Laboratory |
914 | Department Store |
429 | Die Casting Mfg. |
908 | Domestic Workers – Inside |
913 | Domestic Workers – Inside |
909 | Domestic Workers – Outside |
912 | Domestic Workers – Outside |
607 | Drilling |
555 | Drug or Medicine Mfg. |
142 | Dry Cleaning Plant |
139 | Dyeing |
892 | Early Intervention – Infants or Toddlers |
656 | Electric Line Construction |
477 | Electric Motor Mfg. or Repair |
474 | Electric Power or Electric Transmission Equip. Mfg. |
755 | Electric Utilities |
473 | Electrical Apparatus Mfg., N.O.C. |
886 | Electrical Supplies Dealer – Wholesale |
661 | Electrical Wiring within Buildings |
472 | Electronic Component Mfg., N.O.C. |
488 | Electronic Measuring or Analytical Instrument Mfg. |
449 | Electroplating |
136 | Embroidery Mfg. |
929 | Employment Contractor |
191 | Employment Contractor – Apparel Mfg. |
495 | Employment Contractor – Automobile Body Mfg. |
499 | Employment Contractor – Battery Mfg. |
889 | Employment Contractor – Clerical |
895 | Employment Contractor – College or School |
693 | Employment Contractor – Commercial Carpentry |
877 | Employment Contractor – Department Store |
695 | Employment Contractor – Electrical Wiring |
497 | Employment Contractor – Electronic Component Mfg. |
691 | Employment Contractor – Excavation |
493 | Employment Contractor – Hardware Mfg. |
881 | Employment Contractor – Hardware Store |
946 | Employment Contractor – Medical |
879 | Employment Contractor – Packaging |
587 | Employment Contractor – Paint Colors Mfg. |
291 | Employment Contractor – Paper or Pulp Mfg. |
276 | Employment Contractor – Plastic Mfg, N.O.C. |
275 | Employment Contractor – Plastics Mfs. – Injection Molding |
189 | Employment Contractor – Preserving or Canning |
297 | Employment Contractor – Printing |
883 | Employment Contractor – Retail Store, N.O.C. |
491 | Employment Contractor – Rolling, Drawing or Extruding Nonferrous Metals |
949 | Employment Contractor – Temporary Marketing |
937 | Employment Contractor – Temporary Staff |
947 | Employment Contractor – Temporary Staff |
867 | Employment Contractor – Warehousing |
187 | Employment Contractor Candy Mfg. |
185 | Employment Contractor Food Sundries Mfg., N.O.C. |
682 | Employment Contractor Temporary Labor |
955 | Engineer, Consulting |
609 | Excavation |
4777 | Explosives Distributor |
4771 | Explosives Or Ammunition MFG., N.O.C. |
459 | Eyelet Mfg. |
415 | Fabricated Plate Work |
7 | Farm Machinery Operation |
897 | Fast-Food Restaurant |
164 | Federal Coal Mine Coverage Loading |
858 | Ferrous Scrap Metal Dealer |
573 | Fertilizer Mfg. |
6 | Field Crop or Vegetable Farm |
608 | Flat Cement Work |
919 | Florist Store – Retail or Wholesale |
11 | Flower Growing |
104 | Food Sundries Mfg., N.O.C. |
431 | Forging |
7366F | Freight Handlers |
907 | Fruit/Vegetable Dealer, Wholesale |
809 | Fuel Distribution |
170 | Fur Bearing Animal Farms |
319 | Furniture Assembly |
646 | Furniture Fixtures Installation |
323 | Furniture Mfg. – Wood |
806 | Furniture Moving/Storage |
922 | Furniture Store – Retail |
921 | Furniture Store – Wholesale |
327 | Furniture Upholstering |
751 | Gas Utility |
617 | Gas/Steam/Water Main Construction |
553 | Gases Mfg. |
536 | Glass Products Mfg. |
535 | Glass or Glassware Mfg. |
101 | Grain Milling |
507 | Graphite Products Mfg. |
911 | Grocery – Wholesale |
917 | Grocery Store – Retail |
445 | Hardware Mfg., N.O.C. |
925 | Hardware Store – Retail |
926 | Hardware Store – Wholesale |
884 | Health/Exercise Club |
664 | Heating, Ventilating Air Conditioning Contractor |
943 | Home Health Care – Non-Professional |
942 | Home Health Care – Professional |
135 | Hosiery Mfg. |
961 | Hospital |
973 | Hotel |
945 | Hotel Restaurant |
670 | House Furnishings Installation, N.O.C. |
983 | Housing Authority |
110 | Ice Cream Mfg. |
486 | Incandescent Light Bulb/Electronic Tube Mfg. |
476 | Industrial Controls or Systems Mfg./Assembly |
647 | Insulation Work |
984 | Insurance Company |
893 | Intermediate Unit |
904 | Investigative Agency |
655 | Iron Erection |
658 | Iron Erection/Installation |
425 | Iron Foundry, N.O.C. |
413 | Iron Works – Shop |
458 | Jewelry Mfg. |
920 | Jewelry Store – Retail or Wholesale |
860 | Junk Dealer |
134 | Knit Goods Mfg. |
903 | Labor Union |
12 | Landscape Contractor |
141 | Laundry, N.O.C. |
956 | Law Firm |
205 | Leather Goods Mfg., N.O.C. |
890 | Library – Public |
83 | Livestock Farm |
9 | Logging Lumbering N.O.C. |
15 | Logging or Lumbering – Mechanized |
855 | Lumber/Building Material Dealer |
935 | Lumber/Building Material Dealer – Store Employees |
461 | Machine Shop |
675 | Machinery/Equipment Erection or Repair |
812 | Mail Hauling/Delivery Service Company (under USPS Contract) |
948 | Mailing or Addressing Company |
427 | Malleable Iron Foundry |
544 | Manufacturing Light Industrial Operations |
6826F | Marina |
716 | Marina – PA coverage only |
653 | Masonry |
165 | Mattress Box Spring Mfg. |
910 | Meat Dealer – Wholesale |
119 | Meat Products Mfg., N.O.C. |
915 | Meat/Fish/Poultry Store – Retail |
901 | Members Of Religious Orders |
902 | Members Of Religious Orders – Occasional |
456 | Metal Furniture Mfg., N.O.C. |
857 | Metal Service Center |
805 | Milk Hauling |
59 | Mineral Milling |
25 | Mining – Not Coal |
819 | Mobile, Self-Propelled Equipment Salesperson |
887 | Museum |
8 | Mushroom Raising |
282 | Newspaper/Publishing |
447 | Non-Ferrous Metals Foundry |
859 | Nonferrous Scrap Metal Dealer |
771 | Non-Rateable Element for Class 4771 |
775 | Non-Rateable Element for Class 4775 |
152 | Non-Rateable Element for Class 615 |
7445 | Non-Rateable Element for Class 7405 |
7453 | Non-Rateable Element for Class 7413 |
162 | Non-Rateable Elention for Class 810 |
13 | Nursery |
960 | Nursing Convalescent Home |
953 | Office |
483 | Office Machine Mfg. |
952 | Office Machine Service/Repair |
28 | Oil or Gas Production |
581 | Oil Refining/Explosives Mfg. |
752 | Oil/Gas Pipeline Operation |
606 | Oil/Gas Well Drilling |
227 | Oilcloth Mfg. |
16 | Orchard |
923 | Packaging, Non-crating |
563 | Paint Mfg. |
665 | Painting |
263 | Paper Coating/Finishing |
257 | Paper Products Mfg, N.O.C. |
255 | Paper Mfg. |
863 | Paper Shredding |
667 | Paperhanging |
808 | Parcel Delivery Company |
927 | Pharmacy – Retail |
957 | Physician or Dentist |
611 | Pile Driving |
502 | Plaster Statutory Mfg. |
669 | Plastering |
221 | Plastic Articles Mfg., Injection Molding |
222 | Plastic Articles Mfg., N.O.C. |
666 | Plate Glass Installation |
663 | Plumbing |
885 | Plumbing Supplies Dealer or Pipe Merchant-Wholesale |
985 | Police or Firefighters – Salaried |
513 | Pottery, N.O.C. |
865 | Poultry/Fish – Dealers/Processors |
506 | Powder Metal Products Mfg. |
446 | Precision Machined Parts Mfg. |
891 | Pre-School (Child Care or Early Education) Services |
113 | Preserving or Canning of Food |
471 | Printed Circuit Board Assembly or Electrical Wire Harness Mfg. |
285 | Printing Sheet-Fed Press |
281 | Printing, N.O.C. |
106 | Processed Meat Products Mfg. |
51 | Quarry |
50 | Quarries, N.O.C. |
9985 | Radiation Exp. – No Govt |
605 | Railroad Construction |
721 | Railroad Operation, N.O.C. |
862 | Recycling Center |
514 | Refractory Product Mfg. |
958 | Rehabilitation Hospitals |
114 | Rendering Works |
940 | Residential Care Facility – Developmentally Disabled |
979 | Residential Facility for the Elderly – Non-Medical |
882 | Residential Interior Cleaning Services |
975 | Restaurant, N.O.C. |
928 | Retail Store, N.O.C. |
974 | Retirement/Life Care Community |
657 | Rigging, N.O.C. |
601 | Road Construction: Paving or Repaving |
602 | Road Construction: Sub-Surface work |
406 | Rolling Mill, Ferrous Metals |
403 | Rolling/Drawing/Extruding Non-Ferrous Metals |
659 | Roofing |
225 | Rubber Goods or Tire Mfg. |
995 | Rubbish or Garbage Removal |
951 | Salesperson – Outside |
55 | Sand Excavation |
992 | Sanitation Company |
301 | Saw Mill |
804 | School Bus Operation |
894 | School for Disturbed Children |
954 | Security or Investigative Agency |
603 | Sewer Construction |
676 | Sheet Metal Installation |
454 | Sheet Metal Products Fabrication, N.O.C. – shop |
986 | Shelter or Halfway House – Residential – Non-Medical |
964 | Sheltered Work Shops |
6843 | Ship Building, Iron or Steel |
6872 | Ship Repair/Conversion – All Operations |
204 | Shoe Mfg. |
111 | Slaughterhouse |
981 | Slot Machine Gambling |
402 | Smelting/Galvanizing |
571 | Soap Mfg. |
941 | Social Rehabilitation Facility |
132 | Spinning or Weaving |
435 | Spring Mfg. |
801 | Stable |
265 | Stationery Products Mfg. |
8726 | Steamship Line/Agency – Port Employees |
411 | Steel Fabricating |
421 | Steel Foundry |
404 | Steel Mfg. |
7309 | Stevedoring |
7317 | Stevedoring – By Hand/Hand Truck Exclusively |
7327 | Stevedoring – Containerized Freight |
8709 | Stevedoring – Tallymen and Checking Clerks |
103 | Sugar Refining |
133 | Suppl. Loading Carcinogen |
67 | Supplemental Loading for Class 445 |
66 | Supplemental Loading for Class 447 |
176 | Supplemental Loading for Class 513 |
487 | Surgical or Optical Instrument Mfg. |
674 | Swimming Pool Construction |
709 | Tallymen/Checking Clerks – PA coverage only |
201 | Tanning |
803 | Taxicab Company |
757 | Telecommunications Company |
966 | Television, Video, Audio or Radio Equipment Service or Repair |
871 | Temporary Furniture Store – Wholesale |
9740 | Terrorism |
163 | Textile Products Mfg., N.O.C. |
130 | Textile Waste, Mfg. |
967 | Theatres |
668 | Tile/Stone/Mosaic/Terrazzo Work |
115 | Tobacco Products Mfg. |
433 | Tool Mfg. – Forged |
441 | Tool Mfg., N.O.C. |
5 | Tree Pruning |
811 | Trucking, N.O.C. |
407 | Tube/Pipe Mfg. |
615 | Tunneling |
997 | Undertakers |
933 | Vending/Coin Operated Machine – Installation, Service or Repair |
959 | Veterinarians |
993 | Volunteer Ambulance Corps. |
994 | Volunteer Fire Company |
996 | Volunteer HazMat Response Team |
645 | Wallboard Installation |
813 | Warehousing |
753 | Waterworks |
924 | Wholesale Store, N.O.C. |
457 | Wire Goods Mfg. |
306 | Woodenware Mfg.,N.O.C. |
982 | Workfare Program Employees |
976 | Y.M.C.A., Y.W.C.A. |
Related Posts:
- Meet the Best Workers Compensation Lawyers In Our Philadelphia Office
- Average Workers’ Compensation Settlement Amounts & How To Determine Them
- Workers’ Compensation Checks: Payment Schedule & What to Expect
- 5 Common Employer Defense Examples Against Workers’ Compensation Claims
- When You Should Get a Second Opinion for Your Workers’ Comp Claim