NCCI · 22 states

Workers comp rates for code 1320: Surface Metal Mining

NCCI class code 1320 covers Surface Metal Mining in the mining industry. The median rate across 22 states is $1.12 per $100 payroll. Rates range from $0.360 in Utah to $3.58 in New Jersey.

Also known as: Open Pit Metal Mining · Strip Mining (metal)

Cheapest 5 states for code 1320

  1. Utah $0.360
  2. Alaska $0.490
  3. Virginia $0.578
  4. Tennessee $0.610
  5. Oregon $0.790

Most expensive 5 states

  1. New Jersey $3.58
  2. Illinois $3.09
  3. New York $2.13
  4. Hawaii $2.10
  5. Nevada $1.88

What does NCCI class code 1320 cover?

Class code 1320 classifies employees performing Surface Metal Mining, also known as Open Pit Metal Mining, Strip Mining (metal). The NCCI classification system groups occupations by similar workplace exposure, loss-experience patterns, and operational characteristics. Code 1320 falls within the mining industry group and is filed in 22 states.

NCCI's governing classification rules state that a single-classification employer with at least 51% of payroll in this occupation generally classifies all employees under code 1320, with two standard exceptions: clerical office work (segregated payroll records required, reported under code 8810) and outside sales / collectors (code 8742). If your operation has multiple distinct activities, ask your underwriter about a multi-class split before accepting a single-code rating.

Why rates for code 1320 vary so widely across states

The rate spread for code 1320 is 9.9× from cheapest to most expensive ($0.360 in Utah to $3.58 in New Jersey). This isn't randomness, it reflects each state's claim experience for the occupation over the most-recent 5-year window NCCI uses, medical inflation in that state's hospital/clinic market, indemnity (lost-wage) cost levels driven by state maximum weekly benefit caps, and rating-bureau methodology. Independent-bureau states (California's WCIRB, New York's NYCIRB, Pennsylvania's PCRB, New Jersey's NJCRIB, Massachusetts's WCRIBMA, Delaware's DCRB, Wisconsin's WCRB, North Carolina's NCRB, Texas's TDI) often diverge significantly from NCCI's national pure premium, sometimes by 30% or more on the same occupation. Monopolistic-fund states (Ohio, North Dakota, Washington, Wyoming) don't allow private carrier competition, so the state fund's pricing is the only available option.

How to use this code 1320 rate data

  1. Benchmark your carrier quote. A carrier quoting code 1320 above the $1.33 75th-percentile rate is asking for a premium-rated quote, push back or get a second quote.
  2. Identify the right state filing. Use the table below to find your state's filed rate. If your carrier is quoting at a higher rate, the difference is either schedule debit, EMR, deductible loading, or a state-fund surcharge, ask which.
  3. Calculate your effective rate. Effective rate = base rate × EMR ± schedule credit/debit ± deductible loading. Two carriers quoting code 1320 at the same base can vary 30%+ on effective rate after these adjustments.
  4. Consider lower-rate states if locationally flexible. For code 1320, Utah ($0.360) is 90% cheaper than New Jersey ($3.58). Multi-state employers split payroll by state-of-work, not state-of-headquarters, so locating the high-payroll site in a cheaper state directly lowers premium.
  5. Build a 3-year EMR strategy. A 0.85 EMR cuts base rate by 15%; the difference between 0.85 and 1.25 EMR on the same code is a 47% premium difference. Frequency control (preventing every claim, even small ones) drives EMR more than severity control.

Code 1320 rates in all 22 states

State Code Rate per $100 vs peers Source
Utah 1320 $0.360 5% view
Alaska 1320 $0.490 10% view
Virginia 1320 $0.578 14% view
Tennessee 1320 $0.610 19% view
Oregon 1320 $0.790 24% view
Alabama 1320 $0.880 29% view
Oklahoma 1320 $0.890 33% view
Maryland 1320 $0.960 38% view
Kansas 1320 $0.970 43% view
Arkansas 1320 $0.990 48% view
Minnesota 1320 $1.01 52% view
Michigan 1320 $1.12 57% view
Louisiana 1320 $1.15 62% view
Rhode Island 1320 $1.16 67% view
California 1320 $1.27 71% view
Kentucky 1320 $1.32 76% view
Indiana 1320 $1.33 81% view
Nevada 1320 $1.88 86% view
Hawaii 1320 $2.10 90% view
New York 1320 $2.13 95% view
Illinois 1320 $3.09 100% view
New Jersey 1320 F $3.58 - view

Bottom quartile (cheap) Mid Top quartile (expensive)

What types of claims drive code 1320 rates?

Workers comp rate filings for code 1320 reflect what's actually happening on the job, not just generic occupation hazard. NCCI publishes loss-cost analyses showing which injury categories account for the bulk of indemnity (lost-wage) and medical claim cost. For Surface Metal Mining, the top drivers are typically:

  • Musculoskeletal strain, lifting, twisting, and repetitive motion, is the most-common claim type across occupations.
  • Slips, trips, and falls on workplace surfaces account for 15-25% of typical workplace injuries.
  • Struck-by objects, falling and moving items, produce significant medical-only and indemnity claims.
  • Cumulative trauma conditions develop over years and produce long-tail claim costs in many occupations.

Targeting these drivers in your safety program produces the largest EMR improvement. Frequency control (preventing every claim, including small medical-only incidents) drives the modifier more than severity control. A documented written safety program addressing the top two drivers above is typically the highest-ROI intervention for employers paying for code 1320.

FAQs about NCCI 1320

What occupation is NCCI class code 1320?

Class code 1320 is "Surface Metal Mining" (also known as Open Pit Metal Mining, Strip Mining (metal)), in the mining industry. The code is filed in 22 states.

What is the average workers comp rate for code 1320?

The median rate across 22 states is $1.12 per $100 of payroll, ranging from $0.360 (Utah) to $3.58 (New Jersey).

Why does code 1320 cost more in some states than others?

Workers comp rates reflect each state's loss experience for that occupation, the rating bureau's methodology (NCCI vs. independent), schedule rating credits, and the state's medical-cost inflation. Some states are monopolistic (only the state fund writes coverage) while others are open competitive markets.