Workers' comp class code · Industrial & Other
Class code 3400 — Sheet Metal Fabrication — Shop
Shop-based cutting, forming, and welding of sheet metal products.
This classification covers shop-based sheet metal fabrication: cutting, bending, punching, and welding sheet stock into ductwork, enclosures, brackets, and similar components. Work happens at a fixed facility using shears, press brakes, and welding equipment rather than out in the field.
Payroll typically includes fabricators who lay out and cut patterns, brake operators who form bends, welders who join seams, and finishers who grind and deburr edges. Shops often run multiple job orders at once, moving sheet stock between stations on a schedule tied to customer delivery dates.
Injury exposure comes primarily from sharp sheet metal edges causing cuts, press brake pinch points, and welding-related burns or fume exposure. Because employees handle heavy, awkward sheets, back and shoulder strain is also common, so proper lifting technique and mechanical handling aids matter as much as machine guarding.
What code 3400 typically includes
- Sheet metal cutters and shear operators
- Press brake and forming operators
- In-shop welders joining fabricated pieces
- Grinding, deburring, and finishing staff
- Layout technicians and shop material handlers
Codes this one gets confused with
3400-2 — Elevator Manufacturing/Erection
This is a distinct classification for elevator and escalator work, even though it shares a base code number with general sheet metal fabrication.
See code 3400-23081 — Welding — General
Welding as the primary business activity, especially field welding, is coded separately from shop-based sheet metal fabrication.
See code 3081What this code means for your premium
Shop sheet metal fabrication carries a moderate rate, reflecting cutting and forming hazards without the elevated risk of field-based hot work or heavy structural welding.
Estimate your premiumClassification is not final until a carrier assigns it. Code numbers, wording and exceptions vary by state and rating bureau — several states run their own bureaus. This page is general reference written in our own words; your carrier's underwriter assigns the code based on your actual operations and payroll records.
Questions about code 3400
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