Occupational group · 2005 PDRS §§4–5
Occupational Group 351
In the California 2005 PD Rating Schedule, occupational group 351 covers jobs such as ASPHALT DISTRIBUTOR TENDER, ASPHALT PAVING MACHINE OPERATOR, and ASPHALT SURFACE HEATER OPERATOR. Your occupational group sets the variant applied to each impairment, which adjusts the standard rating up or down before the age adjustment. Here a physical impairment raises the rating.
How group 351 adjusts a rating
The occupational variant (C–J) for each impairment, and what it does to a standard 20% rating for this group.
| Impairment | Variant | Standard 20 → | Change |
|---|
| Spine — back / neck | G | 22% | +2 |
| Shoulder | G | 22% | +2 |
| Knee | G | 22% | +2 |
| Wrist / carpal tunnel | G | 22% | +2 |
| Grip / pinch strength | G | 22% | +2 |
| Psychiatric | G | 22% | +2 |
| Hearing loss | G | 22% | +2 |
| Respiratory / lungs | G | 22% | +2 |
Illustrative: a standard rating of 20% is shown. The variant is fixed per impairment + group; the size of the adjustment scales with the rating (PDRS Section 5). The calculator applies the exact variant for your impairment.
What that means in dollars for group 351
Three common injuries at 10% WPI, rated with group 351's own variants:
Computed live by the rating engine — 10% WPI, age 42–46, single impairment, no apportionment, dollars at the 2026 maximum PD rate. Run any combination in the calculator.
Jobs in occupational group 351 · 29
Every occupation the PDRS assigns to group 351. All of these rate the same way.
ASPHALT DISTRIBUTOR TENDERASPHALT PAVING MACHINE OPERATORASPHALT SURFACE HEATER OPERATORBOOM CONVEYOR OPERATORBULLDOZER OPERATORCONCRETE PAVING MACHINE OPERATORCRANE OPERATORDINKEY OPERATORDRAGLINE OPERATORELEVATING GRADER OPERATORFARM MACHINE OPERATORFORKLIFT OPERATORHOISTING ENGINEERLOGGING TRACTOR OPERATORMOTOR-GRADER OPERATORMOTORBOAT OPERATOROVERHEAD CRANE OPERATORPILE-DRIVER OPERATORPOWER SHOVEL OPERATORROAD ROLLER OPERATORROCK DRILL OPERATORSNOWPLOW OPERATORSTEVEDORESTREET SWEEPER OPERATORTRACTOR CRANE OPERATORTRACTOR OPERATORTRUCK DRIVER, ROAD OILINGVACUUM CLEANER OPERATOR, INDUSTRIALYARDER OPERATOR, FIXED/PORTABLE
Group 351 rating FAQ
What is occupational group 351 in California workers’ comp?
Occupational group 351 is one of the 45 groups in the 2005 Permanent Disability Rating Schedule. It covers jobs such as ASPHALT DISTRIBUTOR TENDER, ASPHALT PAVING MACHINE OPERATOR, and ASPHALT SURFACE HEATER OPERATOR. The group number sets the “occupational variant” applied to each impairment, which adjusts the standard rating up or down (PDRS Sections 4 and 5).
Does my occupational group change my permanent-disability rating?
Yes. After the whole-person impairment is converted to a standard rating, the occupational group applies a variant (C–J) that raises or lowers it before age adjustment. For group 351, a physical impairment such as a spine or knee injury raises the rating relative to the standard.
How much does group 351 adjust a 20% standard rating?
Spine: 22% (+2); Shoulder: 22% (+2); Knee: 22% (+2); Wrist / carpal tunnel: 22% (+2); Grip / pinch strength: 22% (+2); Psychiatric: 22% (+2); Hearing loss: 22% (+2); Respiratory / lungs: 22% (+2).
Is this a legal PD rating?
No — it’s an estimate for informational use. Always confirm the occupational variant and final rating against the DEU. RateString rates strict AMA Guides values under the 2005 PDRS.
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