Workers' comp class code · Industrial & Other
Class code 3081 — Welding — General
Welding and cutting of metal components in shop or field settings.
This classification applies to welding and metal-cutting operations performed as the primary business activity, whether in a shop or out in the field on job sites. It covers arc, MIG, TIG, and gas welding used to join or repair metal structures, equipment, and components for other businesses.
Typical work includes welding structural steel, repairing machinery, fabricating custom metalwork, and cutting metal with torches or plasma equipment. Payroll includes certified welders, welder helpers who prep and hold material, and crew leads who coordinate field jobs and manage torch and gas equipment.
This is a higher-hazard classification because welding combines burn risk, exposure to fumes and UV radiation, fire risk from sparks near flammable material, and eye injury potential. Field welding adds exposure to falls, confined spaces, and working around other trades, which is why frequency and severity both run higher than typical shop trades.
What code 3081 typically includes
- Certified structural and pipe welders
- Welder helpers and fit-up crews
- Torch and plasma cutting operators
- Field welding crews traveling to job sites
- Equipment repair welding for industrial clients
Codes this one gets confused with
3400 — Sheet Metal Fabrication — Shop
Shop fabrication involves welding as one step among cutting and forming, while this code applies when welding itself is the core business.
See code 34006204 — Sewer/Water Main Construction
Pipe welding tied to underground utility installation is generally captured under the utility construction classification rather than general welding.
See code 6204What this code means for your premium
General welding is one of the higher-rated classifications in this group, reflecting burn, fire, and fume exposure along with the added risk of field-based work.
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 3081
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