News and Analysis
New Appointment to Ohio Industrial Commission
April 23, 2021Gov. Mike DeWine has appointed Daniel Massey of Columbus to the Ohio Industrial Commission, the three-member adjudicating body for employers and employees with disputed workers’ compensation claims. Massey is an attorney with Murray Murphy Moul & Basil LLP, where he practices in the area of government affairs. His term begins July 1 and ends June 30, 2027. 4/22/2021
MCO Open Enrollment Is May 3-28
April 23, 2021The Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) is offering a Managed Care Organization (MCO) open-enrollment period May 3 through May 28. An MCO helps employers ensure injured workers receive quality medical care and facilitate an employee’s quick and safe return to work.
The BWC advises that MCOs are not permitted to market to employers before May 3. However, employers may contact any MCO prior to the open enrollment period to gather information. MCOs may respond to requests initiated by employers outside of the open-enrollment period. 4/21/2021
BWC Workshop for Self-Insured Employers, April 27
April 23, 2021On Tuesday, April 27, the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation will host a free online workshop for all self-insuring employers and their representatives. The workshop will address statutory and rule updates, prosthetics, acquisitions and policy maintenance, and auditing and underwriting updates. 4/22/2021
BWC Employer Update Webinar, April 29
April 23, 2021The Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation will hold its next free employer update webinar on Thursday, April 29 at 11:30 a.m. This 25-minute online event will provide new information on COVID-19, the BWC’s annual rate letter and true-up, key dates, and the monthly safety tip. 4/22/2021
Biden Taps California Safety Chief to Lead OSHA
April 16, 2021The White House recently announced that President Biden will nominate Doug Parker, chief of California’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA), to serve as assistant secretary of labor for OSHA.
Parker helped craft California’s broad COVID-19 enforcement initiative, which compared to parallel regulations in other states is considered the most burdensome for employers. This as the Biden administration has made it clear that they intend “double the number of OSHA investigators.” Read more from OMA Connections Partner Fisher Phillips. 4/14/2021
Online Training: PPE Selection & Documentation
April 16, 2021Individuals responsible for hazard assessment of the workplace and the selection of required personal protective equipment (PPE) for eyes, face, head, feet, and hands should consider registering for a free virtual training event offered by the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation.
Among other things, the April 28 event will provide instruction on how to perform a workplace assessment to determine if PPE is needed; criteria for selecting appropriate PPE; and information on the documentation needed for OSHA compliance. 4/14/2021
Webinar: Engaging Millennials in Workplace Safety
April 16, 2021On April 20, the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation will host a free webinar to discuss how best to train, educate, and reinforce safety principles for the millennial generation. The webinar will also discuss best practices in engaging other age groups within your workforce. 4/15/2021
BWC Computer Systems, Phones Down This Weekend
April 16, 2021Employers should note that all Bureau of Workers’ Compensation computer services, including phones, will be unavailable statewide this Saturday, April 24, due to scheduled maintenance. All functionality will be restored by Monday morning, April 26. 4/14/2021
What Does Your Policy Say About Alcohol?
April 16, 2021What are your business’ guidelines on alcohol consumption? OMA Connections Partner Working Partners® says that simply relying on the best judgment of your employees could be a liability for your company. This video points out some common situations that your business may want to include in its rules. 4/14/2021
Nearly Half of Ohio’s COVID-19 Workers’ Comp Claims Have Been Denied
April 9, 2021Nearly 3,600 Ohio employees have filed workers’ compensation claims saying that they contracted COVID-19 while on the job, according to the latest summary provided by the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC). The bulk of these claims (2,385) have been filed by health care employees and first responders.
As of March 31, more than 1,650 of these claims had been rejected, denied or dismissed, according to the BWC. The agency notes that communicable diseases like COVID-19 are generally not workers’ compensation claims because people are exposed in a variety of ways, and few jobs have a hazard or risk of getting the diseases in a greater degree or a different manner than the general public. 4/8/2021