Safety/Workers’ Comp

Small misses in chemical safety rarely stay small. An unlabeled container, outdated inventory, missed training step or weak storage practice can quickly become a serious hazard for employees, emergency responders and surrounding operations.

“Chemical safety failures usually do not start with one dramatic mistake,” said Jacob Sargent, director of public policy services for the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association. “They start with small gaps that get missed, normalized or left for another day. The safest workplaces are the ones that treat those gaps like warnings, not paperwork.”

Manufacturers that handle hazardous materials should regularly review storage and labeling practices, emergency plans, employee training, contractor protocols and near-miss reporting. 6/8/2026

Strong safety cultures are built by leaders who set expectations, model the right behaviors and keep safety visible every day. On Thursday, June 11, from 10–11 a.m., the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association (OMA) will host a webinar on how leadership commitment shapes workplace safety and influences employee behavior.

The session will feature Dianne Grote Adams, president of Safex, a board-certified industrial hygienist, board-certified safety professional and certified professional environmental auditor with more than 40 years of experience in environmental, health and safety consulting.

“Safety culture is shaped by what leaders do every day,” said Jacob Sargent, director of public policy services at the OMA. “Clear expectations, consistent communication and visible commitment from leadership help create workplaces where employees understand the standard and know safety is a priority.”

The webinar will cover leadership’s role in sustaining safer workplaces, how leadership influence affects employee behavior and communication strategies that reinforce safety expectations. Members are encouraged to register. 6/5/2026

A pair of recent West Coast chemical emergencies is putting renewed attention on industrial tank safety, maintenance and emergency planning. In Washington, a corrosive chemical tank ruptured at a paper mill, killing two people with others feared dead. In Southern California, a separate overheated chemical tank forced roughly 50,000 people to evacuate before authorities mitigated the explosion risk.

Chemical tanks are widely used across industry and are generally safe when properly built, maintained and inspected. Experts say maintenance and inspections become especially important as tanks age, particularly when highly caustic substances are involved.

“These incidents are a sobering reminder that safety systems only work when they are maintained, tested and taken seriously,” said Jacob Sargent, director of public policy services at the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association. “Regular inspections, strong process safety procedures and clear emergency plans are essential to protecting workers, communities and operations.”

The incidents are a timely reminder to review tank inspection schedules, process safety procedures, emergency response plans and coordination with local first responders. 5/28/2026

The Ohio Senate this week passed Senate Bill 343, legislation to clarify workers’ compensation coverage for members of urban search and rescue units injured while assisting in Ohio at the request of the state’s Emergency Management Agency. Sponsored by state Sen. Nathan Manning, R-North Ridgeville, the bill addresses a narrow but important coverage question for specialized responders deployed during disasters, structural collapses and other emergencies.

“Clear rules are the foundation of a predictable workers’ compensation system,” said Jacob Sargent, director of public policy services for the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association. “Senate Bill 343 addresses a narrow coverage question, but the principle is important: workers and employers benefit when Ohio law clearly defines who is covered and when.”

While the measure does not directly affect manufacturers, OMA views clear workers’ compensation rules as important to maintaining a predictable system for employers and employees alike. 5/21/2026

Ohio’s permanent ban on synthetic kratom is now in effect, underscoring the need for employers to keep pace with fast-changing substance risks. State officials are also weighing whether broader action is needed on other forms of kratom as policymakers continue responding to emerging public health and safety concerns.

“Safety-sensitive workplaces cannot afford gray areas,” said Jacob Sargent, OMA director of public policy services. “Manufacturers should make sure supervisors know what to watch for, employees understand the rules and drug-free workplace policies are clear, current and consistently enforced.” 5/20/2026

Spring nesting season can bring an unexpected workplace safety hazard: territorial geese. As geese protect nests and goslings, they may hiss, spread their wings or charge at employees, visitors or contractors near parking lots, sidewalks, retention ponds, loading areas and facility entrances.

Employers should remind workers not to approach nests, feed geese or run from territorial birds. Employees should face the goose, calmly back away and give it a wide path. Facilities may also want to inspect outdoor areas, post temporary warnings where geese are nesting and keep walkways clear to reduce the risk of slips, trips and falls if an employee is startled.

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources notes that geese can become aggressive during nesting season, and injuries often occur when people try to avoid an attack and trip over nearby objects.

“A goose encounter may sound funny until someone twists an ankle trying to escape an angry bird in the parking lot,” said Jacob Sargent, director of public policy services for the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association. “Seasonal hazards do not have to be complicated to create real workplace risk. A simple reminder to slow down, back away and give wildlife space can help prevent an avoidable workers’ compensation claim.”

Think of nesting geese as temporary security guards: loud, territorial and not interested in your badge policy. 5/11/2026

Lockout/tagout (LOTO) is one of the most important safeguards manufacturers can use to protect employees during equipment maintenance and servicing. Ohio Manufacturers’ Association (OMA) member Safex shares practical reminders for strengthening LOTO programs, including identifying all energy sources, creating machine-specific procedures, verifying zero energy before work begins, training employees on their roles and conducting required annual program audits.

The guidance is a useful reminder that safety risks often start with small gaps, including missed energy sources, outdated procedures, skipped verification steps or training that has not kept pace with equipment changes.

“Lockout/tagout failures are rarely paperwork problems. They are real-world safety problems,” said Jacob Sargent, OMA director of public policy services. “When procedures are clear, training is current and audits are taken seriously, employers are better positioned to protect workers, avoid disruptions and reduce enforcement risk.”

Safex’s tips can help employers review their programs and close issues before they become injuries, disruptions or compliance problems. 5/14/2026

Federal heat rules are back on manufacturers’ radar as Senate Republicans push legislation to block the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OHSA) proposed heat-specific workplace standard, an issue that has generated major concern among Ohio Manufacturers’ Association (OMA) members in the past.

OSHA proposed a heat-specific rule in 2024, but it has not been finalized. Without a dedicated heat standard, OSHA has continued to rely largely on the General Duty Clause to pursue heat-related citations, which can create uncertainty for employers trying to understand their obligations. That is a major concern for manufacturers because no two facilities are exactly alike. A foundry, a fabrication shop and a climate-controlled plant can face very different conditions, yet a one-size-fits-all federal standard could treat them the same.

Supporters of the Senate legislation argue OSHA’s proposed rule would impose broad federal requirements on employers that are already managing heat risk through site-specific safety programs, training, ventilation, hydration policies and operational controls.

“Ohio manufacturers know their facilities, their processes and their employees,” said Jacob Sargent, OMA director of public policy services. “Worker safety is nonnegotiable, but a rigid federal heat mandate could force very different operations into the same compliance box. Employers need practical, flexible rules that protect workers without creating unnecessary burdens that do little to improve safety.” 5/4/2026

A recent Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) enforcement case is a reminder that lapsed coverage can quickly become more than a paperwork problem. BWC announced that the owner of One Call Construction was ordered to pay nearly $14,000 in restitution after operating with lapsed coverage dating back to 2020 and failing to complete reinstatement requirements.

Ignoring missed premiums, true-ups or reinstatement requirements can turn a fixable compliance issue into an investigation, criminal charge and court-ordered restitution.

“Workers’ compensation coverage is not optional, and lapses can create serious financial and legal exposure for employers,” said Jacob Sargent, director of public policy services for the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association (OMA). “Manufacturers should treat BWC compliance as a core risk-management responsibility, not an administrative afterthought.”

If you have questions about your coverage status, please contact Juliet Walker, managing director of workers’ compensation services for the OMA. 5/1/2026

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is proposing to eliminate the Nov. 18, 2036 deadline for employers to retrofit existing fixed ladders taller than 24 feet with personal fall arrest or ladder safety systems. Under the proposal, employers would still need to install those systems when ladders are replaced, but not by a fixed nationwide deadline. New fixed ladders installed on or after Nov. 19, 2018, would still be required to include modern fall protection.

OSHA said the change would give employers more flexibility to time upgrades with the end of a ladder’s service life while reducing compliance costs. The proposal would revise part of the agency’s 2016 Walking-Working Surfaces rule.

“Manufacturers still need to take ladder safety seriously, but this proposal would let facilities align upgrades with real-world maintenance cycles instead of an arbitrary deadline,” said Jacob Sargent, director of public policy services for the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association. “That kind of practical compliance relief matters, especially for operations managing older infrastructure across large sites.” 4/20/2026

Ohio’s new kratom restrictions were among the issues commanding attention yesterday at the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association’s (OMA) Safety & Workers’ Compensation Committee meeting, where members dug into a broad mix of workplace safety, workers’ compensation and compliance challenges. The program included a presentation on kratom from Cameron McNamee of the Ohio Board of Pharmacy, along with discussion of key court decisions, marijuana law changes and drug-free workplace legislation.

Committee members reviewed Ohio’s recent crackdown on certain synthetic kratom derivatives, which had been sold freely without warning labels and commonly described as “gas station heroin” before the state moved to impose lasting restrictions. Kratom can produce opioid-like effects and may impair judgment, reaction time and motor skills, raising concerns in safety-sensitive workplaces. Another challenge for employers is that kratom typically does not appear on standard workplace drug screens, meaning employers must request a specialized test from their drug testing provider to detect it.

“One of the biggest benefits for members was being able to hear directly from the Ohio Board of Pharmacy about an emerging issue that carries real workplace safety implications,” said Jacob Sargent, OMA director of public policy services. “That kind of access helps employers stay informed and better prepared.” 4/16/2026

Register now for the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association’s (OMA) next Safety & Workers’ Compensation Committee meeting on Thursday, April 16, at OMA offices in Columbus or via Zoom. The program begins with a business meeting from 10 a.m. to noon, followed by a networking lunch provided by OMA from noon to 1 p.m.

Highlights include a Dinsmore presentation from Christen Hignett on Violation of a Specific Safety Requirement claims, trends, legal updates and practical risk-reduction strategies; an invited discussion with Ohio Board of Pharmacy Director Steven Schierholt on the regulatory and workplace implications of kratom and marijuana; a counsel’s report on the Dillon decision and other legal developments; and a public policy update from OMA staff on Statehouse activity affecting manufacturers.

“Safety leaders are being asked to keep up with a lot at once,” said Jacob Sargent, OMA director of public policy services. “This meeting is designed to give them clear, practical insight they can take back to their facilities right away.” 4/10/2026

April’s Workplace Violence Prevention Month is a good time for manufacturers to stop assuming workplace violence is a problem for somebody else. A recent Fisher Phillips alert urges employers to revisit policies, reporting procedures, supervisor training and response plans before a threat turns into an injury, shutdown or lawsuit. In manufacturing, prevention means more than having a policy in a binder. It means clear expectations, secure facilities, trusted reporting channels and supervisors who know how to spot warning signs and act before a situation spirals.

“Manufacturers should not wait for an incident to expose weak spots in their policies or response plans,” said Jacob Sargent, director of public policy services for the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association. “Prevention is about protecting people, reducing risk and keeping operations on track.” 4/1/2026

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) proposed heat stress standard could bring new compliance obligations for manufacturers, including written prevention plans, workplace monitoring, training and recordkeeping for hot indoor and outdoor environments that are not climate controlled.

A Safex webinar scheduled for Thursday, April 2, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. will break down the proposed rule and help employers understand how to prepare. The session also will cover OSHA’s National Emphasis Program on Heat Stress, which has been extended through April 2026.

Dianne Grote Adams, president of Safex, will lead the webinar, drawing on more than 40 years of experience in industrial hygiene, safety and environmental compliance.

“This proposed rule signals that heat stress is becoming a much bigger focus for OSHA, and manufacturers should be getting ready now,” said Jacob Sargent, director of public policy services for the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association (OMA).

OMA members are encouraged to register to better understand the proposal, ask questions and begin preparing for the potential impact on their operations. 3/27/2026

Hazard communication remains one of the most important day-to-day safety responsibilities in manufacturing, and recent national data offer a timely reminder that strong routines still matter. OSHA recorded 36,984 hazard communication violations from 2021 through 2025, with manufacturing accounting for 10,021 of them, more than any other industry. The basics are familiar: accurate labels, current safety data sheets and clear employee training on chemical hazards.

The takeaway is not alarmism. It is discipline. Keeping safety data sheets updated, making hazard information easy to access and reinforcing training can help manufacturers strengthen compliance and support safer, more consistent operations.

“The manufacturers that do this well usually are not doing anything flashy. They are doing the basics consistently,” said Jacob Sargent, director of public policy services for the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association. “When hazard communication slips, the risk is not just a citation. It can affect safety, training, consistency and day-to-day operational performance.”

Chemical safety remains one of those fundamentals that rewards steady attention. 3/17/2026

A last-ditch effort to overturn Ohio’s new intoxicating hemp ban burned out this week after backers failed to gather the roughly 248,000 valid signatures needed to force a statewide referendum. Senate Bill 56 is now on track to take effect today, banning most intoxicating hemp products and further tightening Ohio marijuana rules. Supporters blamed the short timeline, but the campaign declined to say how many signatures it actually collected.

“This was never just a retail issue,” said Jacob Sargent, director of public policy services for the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association. “In real workplaces with real machinery, intoxicating hemp creates real safety concerns, and employers should not be left guessing where the lines are.” 3/19/2026

Signal Statewide reported that Ohio’s push to repeal the state’s new intoxicating hemp law appears increasingly disorganized as the March 19 signature deadline approaches. The campaign needs 250,000 valid signatures to qualify for the November ballot, but reports of bounced paychecks, halted signature gathering and stranded out-of-state workers point to an operation in visible disarray. One worker said the drive “imploded,” while another described a poorly organized effort plagued by funding problems. Campaign leaders say they still feel good about their chances and that volunteers are continuing the effort at dozens of businesses statewide.

“This is not exactly a picture of regulatory seriousness,” said Jacob Sargent, director of public policy services for the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association. “If a campaign cannot manage payroll, staffing and signature collection, it is fair to question whether it is offering a credible alternative on public policy.”

The uncertainty comes as the Ohio Supreme Court has given the state until today to respond to an emergency lawsuit from hemp-industry plaintiffs seeking to block the law before it takes effect. 3/12/2026

As more older employees remain in or return to the workforce, employers are facing workers’ compensation claims that can be more severe, more medically complex and more expensive to resolve. Longer claim durations and higher medical and indemnity costs are increasing pressure on employers to strengthen prevention, ergonomics and return-to-work strategies. The trend carries particular importance for manufacturers working to retain experienced employees while managing labor shortages and physically demanding operations.

“Manufacturers need safety strategies that match the realities of an aging workforce,” said Jacob Sargent, director of public policy services for the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association. “Keeping experienced employees safe means adapting jobs, training and recovery plans to support long-term success.” 3/10/2026

Ohio’s workers’ compensation system continues to deliver cost stability as the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation Board approved another rate reduction this week. The 1% cut for private employers, effective July 1, 2026, is expected to save employers approximately $10 million statewide. It follows a 1% reduction for public employers that took effect Jan. 1. Since 2019, BWC has reduced rates by 50%, with average premium levels at their lowest point in more than 65 years.

“Actuarially sound rate setting and responsible fund management are critical to maintaining Ohio’s competitive edge,” said Jacob Sargent, director of public policy services for the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association. “Predictable, sustainable workers’ compensation costs give manufacturers greater certainty as they plan investments, manage risk and compete in a challenging economic environment.”

Individual employer premiums will vary based on industry risk and claims history. 3/2/2026

A recent workers’ compensation rate decision reflects a shift many employers are beginning to experience. Overall injury counts may be stabilizing, but the claims that occur are becoming more severe and more expensive. Higher wages, larger individual losses and more complex medical treatment are driving costs upward. Consistent supervision, immediate reporting and firm return-to-work expectations remain essential to keeping claims from growing into long-term liabilities.

“Every delayed report and every missed safety conversation shows up later as a bigger claim and a bigger premium,” said Jacob Sargent, director of public policy services for the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association. “The system rewards employers who act fast, document everything and hold people accountable. Waiting or treating safety as optional is how small incidents turn into long-term exposures that follow a company for years.” 2/24/2026