Workers comp rates for code 4512: Paint Manufacturing
NCCI class code 4512 covers Paint Manufacturing in the manufacturing industry. The filed rate in California is $0.140 per $100 payroll, per the state's most recent rate filing.
Also known as: Varnish manufacturing · Coating manufacturing
What does NCCI class code 4512 cover?
Class code 4512 classifies employees performing Paint Manufacturing, also known as Varnish manufacturing, Coating manufacturing. The NCCI classification system groups occupations by similar workplace exposure, loss-experience patterns, and operational characteristics. Code 4512 falls within the manufacturing industry group and is filed in California.
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 4512, 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 4512 only appears in California
Some class codes are state-specials: classifications a single rating bureau maintains for an occupation that other states fold into broader codes. Code 4512 currently has a filed rate only in California ($0.140 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 4512 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 4512 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 4512 rates in all 1 states
| State | Code | Rate per $100 | vs peers | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | 4512 | $0.140 | - | view |
Bottom quartile (cheap) Mid Top quartile (expensive)
What types of claims drive code 4512 rates?
Workers comp rate filings for code 4512 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 Paint Manufacturing, the top drivers are typically:
- Caught-in machinery from lockout/tagout failures, high severity per claim, drives rate spikes when present.
- Repetitive motion injuries, carpal tunnel and tendinitis from production-line work, dominate claim frequency.
- Material handling strains, lifting, twisting, pushing-pulling, are pervasive across all manufacturing codes.
- Chemical exposure, when applicable, produces both acute and long-latency claims.
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 4512.
FAQs about NCCI 4512
What occupation is NCCI class code 4512?
Class code 4512 is "Paint Manufacturing" (also known as Varnish manufacturing, Coating manufacturing), in the manufacturing industry. The code is filed in California.
What is the average workers comp rate for code 4512?
In California, the filed rate for code 4512 is $0.140 per $100 of payroll, per the state's most recent rate filing.
Why does code 4512 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.