High priority current reports from the OMA about legislative, regulatory, judicial and political developments that affect Ohio manufacturers:

Obama Manufacturing Czar at Ohio Manufacturing Roundtable

OMA members participated in a manufacturing roundtable organized by U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown and Governor Ted Strickland this week in Cleveland.  Ron Bloom, Senior Counselor to the President for Manufacturing Policy, presented the Obama administration’s “Framework for Revitalizing U.S. Manufacturing,” and took feedback from attendees. 

American manufacturing is being talked about seriously in Washington.  Even by the Washington Post here. 

Will the efforts be “small beer” or dramatic improvements needed to compete globally?  Make a difference.  Engage candidates for office on your issues today.  08/20/2010

President Signs Miscellaneous Tariff Bill

(Courtesy of National Association of Manufacturers)  On August 11, President Obama signed into law H.R. 4830, the U.S. Manufacturing Enhancement Act of 2010, better known as the Miscellaneous Tariff Bill, which removes duties on key products unavailable in the United States. The National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) had been working to educate Congress on the importance of the bill and how it will preserve and expand good American jobs, cut the costs of doing business in the United States and boost American manufacturing exports. To read more on the bill, click here.  08/20/2010

ODOT Proposes More Competitive Freight Shipping

A proposed rule change by the Ohio Department of Transportation will allow trucks to carry heavier international shipping containers.  The OMA and leading member companies, including U.S. Steel, have been working to push the rule.   Lobbyists for the railroad industry are opposing the proposal.

Included in the new proposal are new permit fees ($250 for a 45-day permit and $500 for a 90-day permit) that will need to be paid by the carrier.  Since those fees will be passed along to the shipper, it will be important to ensure those fees be in-line with competitor states.  Members that use international shipping containers are encouraged to communicate with their logistics providers and share feedback with the OMA. 

The next step toward approval will be a public hearing in Columbus on Monday, September 12, at 2:00 p.m. 08/20/2010

Webcast: Where is the economy headed?

On Wednesday, August 25, 2010, 2:00 – 3:30 p.m. EST, join Dr. Ned Hill, Dean, Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs and Manufacturers’ Extension Program Advisory Board member, when he provides an overview of the current economic landscape with a focus on the economic challenges and opportunities facing the manufacturing industry. 

Ned’s presentation is a blend of economics and public policy analysis that includes some insights gathered from recent conversations with manufacturers.  Participants will gain a better understanding of the macroeconomic conditions impacting the manufacturing industry.  Contact Natalie Turchi for access instructions for the no-charge webcast.  08/19/2010

Supply Chain Workshop for the U.S. Rail Industry

Congress has authorized $60 billion to begin the renewal of America's passenger rail network. By law, all new rolling stock must be traceable to 100% domestic content.  Ohio, and the surrounding states, are uniquely positioned to provide the regional manufacturing concentration needed to revitalize this industry.  The Ohio Edison Welding Institute (EWI) is sponsoring a Supply Chain Workshop on August 31 in Columbus. 08/19/2010

Honda Recognizes 2010 Suppliers of the Year, Includes OMA Members

The suppliers that met Honda’s exacting requirements to become2010 supplier-of-the-year award winners have a lot to celebrate.  As Honda of America Senior Vice President Jim Wehrman said, “The events of the past year have fundamentally changed the auto industry, and there is no going back to ‘normal.’”  Honda presented  MRO supplier awards and OEM supplier awards to the companies that excelled even as the economy harshly tested them.  Among the recipients were OMA members: Celina Aluminum Precision Tech, DuPont Company, Kennametal, and TFO Tech Co. LTD.  08/20/2010

FirstEnergy Gets OK to Make Electricity from Biomass

The PUCO recently approved FirstEnergy’s (FE) application for its Burger Plant to become a renewable energy resource generating facility, clearing the way for it to make electricity by burning wood and other biomass products.  FirstEnergy’s decision was tied to a consent decree issued by U.S. EPA that required FE to either modify the plant's operation or shut it down. 

Concerns have been raised about whether switching to biomass is useful or sustainable as it causes utilities to compete with Ohio’s paper industry for raw material and it has been claimed that burning biomass results in more emissions than coal.  See the story published by Hannah News Service for more details.  08/20/2010

Ohio Health Care Reform Stakeholder Forum Scheduled

The Ohio Department of Insurance (ODI) is charged with Ohio implementation of the “Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act,” the federal health care bill that was signed into law on March 23, 2010.  ODI is using “Health Care Reform Stakeholder Forums” to take stakeholder input on implementation issues.

The next forum is scheduled for August 27 at Rehabilitative Service Commission locations in Akron, Cincinnati, Columbus, Toledo and Youngstown.  Topics for the meetings will be: High Risk Pool, Health Care Exchanges, Dependent Coverage Expansion, and Federal Web Portal.  Implementation activities can be followed at this state website.  08/20/2010

What Are Your Workers' Comp Insurance Rates?

To reduce operating costs, the Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC) eliminated the traditional paper premium rate letter, more than 284,000 a year, and has posted employers' 2010 policy year premium rate information on its Web site.

In the coming weeks, employers will receive a postcard from the BWC directing them to www.Ohiobwc.com to set up an e-account and access their account data and claim information online.

For assistance, please contact your OMA workers' comp account manager or call BWC's Customer Contact Center at 1-800-OHIOBWC.  08/11/2010

BWC Safety Assessment Checklist - Good for All

To support its Drug Free Safety Program (DFSP), the Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC) created a check list tool to help employers assess their safety management practices.  Employers looking to improve their safety management system might want to take a look at this assessment tool regardless of interest in the DFSP.  Good safety management services are always available from the BWC Division of Safety & Hygiene to the state's employers at no charge.  OMA's contact at the BWC Division of Safety & Hygiene is Mike Marr.  Need help?  Contact Mike or go online to www.ohiobwc.com.  08/12/2010

OSHA Sets Maximum Training Hours in One Day

With respect only to Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) 10-hour and 30-hour courses, new requirements mandate that authorized OSHA Outreach Trainers can only train a maximum of 7 1/2 hours in one day. Therefore, OSHA 10-hour courses must be delivered over a minimum of 2 days and OSHA 30-hour courses must be delivered over a minimum of 4 days. OSHA imposes this policy to improve worker training effectiveness saying that single training days "encompassing 11-13 hours are not conducive for worker learning and retention." Read more from OSHA on this issue or contact OMA Connection Partner, Safex. 08/13/2010

DOT Drug-Testing Final Rule Effective October 1

The Department of Transportation (DOT) is amending certain provisions of its drug testing procedures regarding laboratory testing of urine specimens.  The changes are intended to create consistency with many of the new requirements established by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).

Employers are directed to wait for collection and testing protocols and forms (chain of custody, etc.) to be modified.  At such time, testing requirements will be expanded to include testing for Ecstasy as part of the new 6-panel drug screen, the inclusion of initial 6-AM testing for heroin and the lowering of cut-off levels for amphetamines and cocaine.

Information about these changes and about how they will affect Ohio employers, including those participating in the BWC’s Drug-Free Safety Program, will be discussed in the upcoming webinars offered by OMA Connections Partner, Working Partners®.  Learn more about or register for the FREE webinars.  If you have questions in the interim, contact Working Partners at 1-866-354-3397.  08/19/2010

Important Dates for BWC Drug Free Safety Program

State fund employers that have not enrolled in the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) Drug Free Safety Program (DFSP) can enroll by October 29 to qualify for premium savings of three to seven percent beginning January 1, 2011.  There are BWC Safety Grants available that may cover the expense of start-up and operations for the first two years.  Join a free informational webinar, offered by OMA Connections Partner, Working Partners®, to learn more. 

Employers that enrolled in the DFSP as of July 1, 2010, are facing a September 30 compliance deadline for three actions: your drug-free policy must be implemented, your safety action plan (form DFSP-5) must be submitted to the BWC and your supervisors must complete the BWC online Accident Analysis Training.  If you need help with any of these elements, contact Working Partners at 1-866-354-3397 to arrange for assistance.

Finally, employers who are in the form BWC Drug Free Workplace Program (DFWP or DF-EZ) and intend to continue in the new DFSP, your progress reports are due September 30.  This includes reporting completion of your annual employee and supervisor training.  If you need help completing your training, contact Working Partners at 1-866-354-3397 to learn more about its training offerings.  08/19/2010