PA Workers Comp Calculator
ORCHARD
2026 PCRB Loss Cost
The official PCRB loss cost for class code 016 is $1.040 per $100 of annual payroll, effective April 1, 2026. This is the base pure-loss component before applying your carrier's Loss Cost Multiplier (LCM), Experience Modifier (EMR), expense constant, and PA Act 57 assessment.
Estimated 2026 Premium Examples
Based on typical assumptions: LCM 1.50 · EMR 1.00 · 100/500/100 employer liability limits. Actual premiums will vary by carrier and individual risk factors.
| Annual Payroll | Manual Premium | Total Est. Cost (incl. $350 + PA 2.18%) |
|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $780 | $1,155 |
| $100,000 | $1,560 | $1,952 |
| $250,000 | $3,900 | $4,343 |
| $500,000 | $7,800 | $8,328 |
| $1,000,000 | $15,600 | $16,298 |
* Assumes LCM 1.50 · EMR 1.00 · Exp. constant $350 · PA Act 57 assessment 2.18%
About Class Code 016: ORCHARD
Pennsylvania workers' compensation class code 016 covers operations classified as ORCHARD. It belongs to Hazard Group E, which the PCRB uses to group similar-risk occupations for statistical credibility in ratemaking.
When your workers' comp policy is issued, your insurer assigns a class code to each group of employees based on the work they actually perform. Using the correct class code is critical: under-classification can lead to coverage gaps and audit surcharges; over-classification means you're paying more than required.
With a moderate loss cost of $1.040 per $100 payroll, this classification reflects moderate occupational exposure — some physical activity but limited severe-injury risk.
How to Reduce Your Workers' Comp Premium for This Code
Hazard Group E covers elevated-risk manual labor — heavy construction, heavy manufacturing, industrial services, and similar operations with significant injury exposure.
- Prioritize near-miss reporting to catch hazards before they cause claims
In Group E operations, the most effective safety programs track near-misses and minor incidents, not just recordable injuries. OSHA data shows that for every serious injury, there are hundreds of near-misses. A near-miss reporting culture identifies and eliminates hazards before they generate the expensive lost-time claims that drive EMR increases. - Explore large-deductible or retrospective rating plans
Group E employers with $2M+ in payroll often have more cost-effective options than guaranteed-cost workers' comp. Retrospective rating or large-deductible plans reward employers who maintain good loss histories with direct savings. If your 3-year loss ratio is below 60%, ask your broker to model both plan types at renewal. - Benchmark your EMR against industry peers
An Experience Modifier above 1.10 for a Group E employer often indicates preventable claim patterns. Request a loss run analysis to identify which claim types and injury locations are driving your mod. Targeted interventions — like additional PPE for a specific task, or ergonomic equipment for a recurring injury type — often produce measurable EMR improvements within 2 policy years. - Verify that machine guarding and lockout/tagout programs are documented
Machinery-related injuries are among the highest-cost claims in Group E operations. Insurers frequently inspect heavy manufacturing and construction sites — documented machine guarding audits, LOTO procedures, and employee training records can be the difference between a standard market approval and a restrictive SWIF or surplus lines placement.
Use the Full Calculator for Code 016
Enter your actual payroll, LCM, EMR, and employer liability limit for a personalized estimate using your specific inputs.
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