Safety and Workers' Compensation Management

OSHA Proposes Rule Change on Classification and Labeling of Chemicals

OSHA has proposed to update its Hazard Communication Standard to align with the seventh revision of the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals.

OSHA says the rule is aimed at reducing the incidence of chemical-related occupational illnesses and injuries by further improving the information on the labels and Safety Data Sheets for hazardous chemicals.

Read OSHA’s full press release. It includes information on how to submit comments about the proposed rule change. 2/8/2021

OSHA Issues New COVID-19 Workplace Guidance

In response to an executive order from President Joe Biden, OSHA on Jan. 29 issued stronger workplace guidance to help prevent spread of the coronavirus. For now, the revised guidance is not a regulation and creates no new legal obligations. It recommends the following steps:

• Conduct a hazard assessment;
• Identify control measures to limit the spread of the virus;
• Adopt policies for employee absences that don’t punish workers as a way to encourage potentially infected workers to remain home;
• Ensure that coronavirus policies and procedures are communicated to both English and non-English speaking workers; and
• Implement protections from retaliation for workers who raise coronavirus-related concerns.

Click here to see OSHA’s new guidance. Also, read this insight from OMA Connections Partner Thompson Hine and this summary from OMA Connections Partner Dinsmore.

Finally, check out the CDC’s updated COVID-19 guidance for manufacturing workers and employers. 2/1/2021

OSHA’s New Site-Specific Targeting Inspection Plan

OSHA recently released instructions to implement a new Site-Specific Targeting (SST) inspection plan for non-construction worksites.

In its analysis, OMA Connections Partner Fisher Phillips writes that employers should be vigilant in ensuring that their OSHA 300 logs do not needlessly record non-work-related COVID-19 cases or other non-recordable injuries. Failing to do so needlessly increases an employer’s Days Away, Restricted or Transferred Rate (DART Rate), which will eventually lead to an increase in OSHA inspections long after widespread COVID-19 immunity has been reached. 2/2/2021

Registration Open for Ohio Safety Congress

Registration is now open for the Ohio Safety Congress & Expo, which will be held online March 10-11. Hosted by the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC), this is the largest regional safety and health conference in the U.S., and will offer a live broadcast of educational sessions and resources that employers can access from anywhere.

Register now and sign up for course listings. Anyone interested in workplace safety and health or workers’ compensation in Ohio should plan to attend. It’s free! 2/1/2021

BWC Reports $7.6 Billion in Net Assets

The Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) reported total assets at the end of 2020 of just under $25 billion, with liabilities of $17.3 billion for a net position of $7.6 billion, according to Gongwer News Service.

Meanwhile, BWC Interim Administrator/CEO John Logue told the BWC board last week that the bureau began a new contract with its managed care organizations (MCOs) at the start of the year, effective through 2024. The contract includes a major change, according to Gongwer. No longer will the bureau establish a pool of money to pay MCOs on a pro rata basis. Instead, payments will be based on claims — “with some stabilizers designed to keep the rates from having dramatic swings each month.” 2/1/2021

BWC Offers Accident Analysis Webinar

On Tuesday, Feb. 9 — from 10-11 a.m. — the BWC will host a free webinar to explain the accident analysis process, while providing an organized approach for identifying and correcting hazards. Attendees will learn about the basic elements of a written accident analysis program, the primary causal factors of accidents, and action steps to analyze accidents. This webinar is approved for continuing education and BWC discount program credits. 2/1/2021v

You Can Find Ohio-Made PPE Here

The Cincinnati Enquirer (subscription) reports that during December 2020 — the deadliest month of the pandemic — roughly 25% of Ohio nursing homes and long-term care facilities reported they had less than one week’s supply of personal protective equipment (PPE).

Fortunately, the Ohio Manufacturing Alliance continues to offer the Ohio Emergency PPE Makers’ Exchange, which allows buyers to directly contact suppliers of Ohio-made PPE and other safety gear, including N95s. 2/2/2021

Did You Post Your OSHA 300A?

Businesses are required to complete and post the OSHA Form 300A Summary of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses, even if no work-related injuries or illnesses occurred during the reporting year. Each February through April, employers must post this summary of the injuries and illnesses recorded the previous year. If requested, copies of the records must be provided to current and former employees (or their representatives).

If you have 20 or more employees, you must report the OSHA 300A information electronically to OSHA by March 2. 2/4/2021

BWC Board Expected to Consider Reduction in Premium Rates

At its Jan. 29 meeting, the Ohio BWC Board of Directors is expected to begin the process of again reducing premium rates for private businesses. As stated in this memo from the BWC’s chief actuary, BWC staff is recommending that the board reduce premium rates by 15%.

The board will consider the recommendation over the next several months. If the reduction is approved, it will take effect July 1. Employers would not see the full 15% reduction due to potential increases in both the BWC and the Industrial Commission administrative funds. Instead, employers would see a reduction of roughly 7%, according to estimates. 1/28/2021

OSHA Names New Leaders

At the U.S. Department of Labor, James Frederick has been named deputy assistant secretary for occupational safety and health, while Joseph Hughes Jr. has been named the new deputy assistant secretary for pandemic and emergency response. Ann Rosenthal has been named senior advisor. 1/28/2021