Workers comp rates for code 4353: Film Developing/Printing
NCCI class code 4353 covers Film Developing/Printing in the services industry. The filed rate in New Jersey is $1.36 per $100 payroll, per the state's most recent rate filing.
Also known as: Photo Lab · Film Processing
What does NCCI class code 4353 cover?
Class code 4353 classifies employees performing Film Developing/Printing, also known as Photo Lab, Film Processing. The NCCI classification system groups occupations by similar workplace exposure, loss-experience patterns, and operational characteristics. Code 4353 falls within the services industry group and is filed in New Jersey.
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 4353, 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 code 4353 only appears in New Jersey
Some class codes are state-specials: classifications a single rating bureau maintains for an occupation that other states fold into broader codes. Code 4353 currently has a filed rate only in New Jersey ($1.36 per $100 payroll). If you operate in another state, your insurer will classify the same work under a different code, use the class-code finder to locate the equivalent for your state.
How to use this code 4353 rate data
- 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.
- Calculate your effective rate. Effective rate = base rate × EMR ± schedule credit/debit ± deductible loading. Two carriers quoting code 4353 at the same base can vary 30%+ on effective rate after these adjustments.
- 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 4353 rates in all 1 states
| State | Code | Rate per $100 | vs peers | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Jersey | 4353 | $1.36 | - | view |
Bottom quartile (cheap) Mid Top quartile (expensive)
What types of claims drive code 4353 rates?
Workers comp rate filings for code 4353 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 Film Developing/Printing, 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 4353.
FAQs about NCCI 4353
What occupation is NCCI class code 4353?
Class code 4353 is "Film Developing/Printing" (also known as Photo Lab, Film Processing), in the services industry. The code is filed in New Jersey.
What is the average workers comp rate for code 4353?
In New Jersey, the filed rate for code 4353 is $1.36 per $100 of payroll, per the state's most recent rate filing.
Why does code 4353 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.