Safety and Workers' Compensation Management

Summary of Ohio’s Consolidated COVID-19 Health Order

In case you missed it, the OMA’s general counsel Bricker & Eckler has produced this summary of the DeWine administration’s consolidated COVID-19 health order, issued earlier this week.

While the consolidated order likely presents no new impacts to daily operations for Ohio manufacturers, OMA members are encouraged to review this brief memo, which, among other things, summarizes the order’s requirements on masking, social distancing, sanitizing, and reporting COVID-19 cases.

The memo notes that the administration plans to re-issue industry-specific guidance, including for manufacturers. 4/8/2021

Webinar on Demand: Lockout/Tagout – Meeting the OSHA Regulations

Here is a webinar recorded this week (and handouts) that covers lockout/tagout considerations for:

• Training your authorized and affected employees;
• Developing equipment-specific energy isolation procedures; and
• Conducting a periodic lockout/tagout audit.

The subject matter expert is Brian Basbagill a Certified Safety Professional with OMA Connections Partner Safex. The webinar has 60 minutes of content followed by 15 minutes of Q&A. 4/1/2021

Check Out BWC’s Calendar of Safety Events

The Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) offers a robust schedule of no-charge safety training events and webinars. Click the image to scan the options. For your convenience, this image/link is always in the sidebar of OMA’s Leadership Briefing. 4/1/2021

BWC Updates COVID-19 FAQs

The Ohio BWC has updated its COVID-19 FAQs, which includes several questions from employers. New questions include topics such as sick/family paid leave under the American Rescue Plan (Question 25) and why self-insured employers did not receive BWC dividends (Question 29). 3/25/2021

Still Time to Register for OMA’s Lockout/Tagout Webinar

If you haven’t already, it’s time to register for the OMA’s April 1 webinar “Lockout/Tagout: Meeting the OSHA Regulations.” This one-hour event will provide guidance on establishing written procedures and training employees to prevent injury as a result of uncontrolled energy or unexpected startup of equipment. 3/24/2021

OMA Members Hear From BWC Leader

This week, the OMA’s Safety and Workers’ Comp Committee held its first meeting of 2021 via Zoom.

Chaired by Matt Shurte, general counsel for Lancaster Colony Corp., the meeting featured a visit from John Logue, interim administrator of the Ohio BWC. Logue said the BWC had approved more than 800 COVID-19-related claims worth approximately $2.25 million, but that claims had recently fallen to an average of five to seven per day compared to 70 to 80 per day earlier this winter. He also said the BWC could allow claims of employees who are required to get COVID-19 vaccinations as a condition of employment if those employees experience adverse reactions.

Other presenters included public health expert Martin Tremmel, who reviewed COVID-19-related considerations for employers as vaccines become more widely available. The next committee meeting is set for June 22. 3/17/2021

Be Prepared for OSHA’s COVID-19 Inspection Program

Last Friday, March 12, OSHA announced it was launching a “national emphasis program” to focus its inspection efforts on companies that are failing to properly implement COVID-19 precautions, as well as businesses that retaliate against employees for filing complaints.

OMA Connections Partner Fisher Phillips has published new insight to provide five steps for employers to prepare for more COVID-19-related OSHA inspections this spring and summer. 3/17/2021

Preparing for Employee COVID-19 Vaccinations

Earlier this week, Gov. Mike DeWine announced that starting today (Friday, March 19), COVID-19 vaccination eligibility has been expanded to all Ohioans 40 and older and to those with certain health conditions. On Monday, March 29, eligibility will be open to all Ohioans 16 and older. (Here’s the statewide vaccination signup website.)

To help employers prepare for the vaccination of their employees, OMA Connections Partner Fisher Phillips has published this FAQs page, as well as sample vaccine-related templates and forms, such as model vaccine policies. 3/19/2021

COVID-19’s Impact on Workers’ Compensation

A year into the pandemic, the workers’ compensation system has felt the impact COVID-19. On March 31, OMA Connections Partner Dinsmore will host a free webinar to review recent workers’ compensation changes, the legal issues surrounding “occupational diseases,” and the BWC’s response during COVID-19. 3/17/2021

Reminder: BWC Program Requirements Due March 31

On Wednesday, March 31, the BWC program requirements are due for employers that participate in these programs:

• Drug-Free Safety Program participants must submit an annual report. Watch this short video from OMA Connections Partner Working Partners^® for tips.
• One-Claim Program participants must complete education requirements.
• EM Cap Program participants must complete education requirements.

Meanwhile, check out this BWC flyer addressing injury prevention for manufacturers. 3/16/2021