News and Analysis
Local Marijuana Laws Don’t Change Employers’ Drug-Free Workplace Rights
January 24, 2020The Cleveland City Council recently proposed an ordinance to decriminalize marijuana possession. If Cleveland’s proposed ordinance passes, it would join other Ohio cities such as Cincinnati, Columbus, Toledo, and Dayton in decriminalizing possession of small amounts of marijuana.
OMA Connections Partner Frantz Ward reminds employers that despite the trend, Ohio law allows employers to discipline, terminate, refuse to hire, or take other adverse action against individuals based on use, possession, or distribution of marijuana. Changes in local law are “not likely to impact Ohio employers who wish to maintain drug-free workplaces.” 1/22/2020
OSHA Announces New Maximum Penalties
January 17, 2020OSHA has announced the maximum penalty amounts (adjusted for inflation) that it can assess after Jan. 15, 2020. See the penalty amounts here. 1/16/2020
Deadline to File OSHA Injury Form is March 2
January 17, 2020Most employers with 10 or more employees are required by OSHA to track and report all work-related injuries and illnesses via Forms 300 and 300A.
OMA Connections Partner Bricker & Eckler notes that the deadline to file Form 300A is March 2 — and employers must post the form in the workplace from Feb. 1 to April 30. 1/15/2020
OMA Webinar Will Address OSHA Reporting Obligations
January 17, 2020If you are new to OSHA records management — or you have employees who need an introductory course or refresher — the OMA is offering a helpful webinar on Feb. 6, from 10-11 a.m. EST.
Presented by experts at Safex, an OMA Connections Partner, this webinar will review OSHA recordkeeping requirements, including your obligations when reporting injuries. 1/14/2020
Free OSHA Certification Courses Available
January 17, 2020Ohio BWC offers free OSHA certification courses to employers. According to its update, the bureau has several OSHA-10 and OSHA-30 workshops scheduled at various sites across Ohio. Click here to view the specific dates and locations, or to sign up for one of these free courses. 1/15/2020
Deadlines Near for BWC Premium-Savings Programs
January 17, 2020If your business is seeking workers’ compensation coverage under the OMA’s Group Retrospective Rating program, the activation deadline is Jan. 24. (This deadline is for the program year beginning July 1.)
For employers who have been identified as being a great fit for the BWC’s One Claim Program, the deadline is Jan. 31.
If you have questions, email the OMA’s Brian Jackson or your OMA workers’ comp account manager — Karen James, Melissa Ross or Juliet Walker. 1/15/2020
Protect Your Workers’ Comp Premium Savings
January 10, 2020If you haven’t already done so, activate your OMA Group Retrospective Rating offer — or complete your payment — no later than Friday, Jan. 24. Renewing members, as well as new applicants, can find their 2020/21 Group Retrospective Rating offer on their WCS dashboard. Enrollment can be executed online via the dashboard; however, you will need to process your payment by check or credit card.
If you have any questions, contact the OMA’s Brian Jackson or your OMA workers’ comp account manager — Karen James, Melissa Ross or Juliet Walker.
Note: If your company hasn’t requested an OMA workers’ comp premium savings proposal for the 2020/21 policy year, the OMA is accepting applications through Jan. 22. Apply here. 1/9/2020
Ohio Safety Congress Set for March 11-13 in Columbus
January 10, 2020The Ohio Safety Congress and Expo is currently accepting registrations. This is the second-largest occupational safety, health, and workers’ compensation event in the U.S. — and last year it attracted more than 8,000 attendees and 300 exhibitors.
This year’s event will be March 11-13 at the Greater Columbus Convention Center. Safety Congress and registration are free — and there’s even an online attendance option.
The OMA will have its workers’ comp team on site — at booth #1024 — to discuss our unique, manufacturer-specific approach to workers’ comp management. We will have a made-in-Ohio gift as a “thank you” for stopping by. 1/8/2020
BWC’s ‘Better You’ Program Gets Makeover
January 10, 2020The new year has brought some changes to Better You, Better Ohio!® – the free health-and-wellness program for workers of businesses with 150 or fewer employees engaged in higher-risk industries, including manufacturing. Administered by the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC), the program gives employers a chance to start a wellness program with no cost or paperwork hassle.
The program’s new-and-improved homepage includes timely information and helpful tools for users. A new Wellness Champion Guide can help employers jump-start their health and wellness programs by empowering workers to take on a more active role in the program. 1/8/2020
Latest Data Show Slight Uptick in Workplace Fatalities
January 3, 2020The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that there were 5,250 fatal workplace injuries across all U.S. industries and ownerships in 2018, according to updated data. That’s an increase of 103 from 2017. The fatality rate was unchanged from 2017 at 3.5 fatalities per 100,000 full-time workers.
In 2018, there were 96 fewer fatal falls, slips, and trips than in 2017. But this decrease was more than offset by an increase of 91 cases in fatal contact with objects and equipment — and an increase of 90 cases in exposure to harmful substances or environments. 1/2/2020