Safety/Workers’ Comp

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

Workplace safety is evolving, and leading employers are looking beyond compliance to a broader focus on employee wellbeing.

Manufacturers and safety professionals are invited to join Safex for Wellbeing: The Next Step for Your Health and Safety Program on Thursday, May 7, from 10 to 11 a.m. The webinar will explore how organizations are integrating wellbeing into safety strategies to improve productivity, retention and overall performance.

Topics include why safety programs are expanding beyond injury prevention, the key elements of sustainable wellbeing initiatives and practical steps to get started.

“Safety programs cannot stop at preventing injuries,” said Jacob Sargent, director of public policy services for the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association. “The strongest workplaces also pay attention to the wellbeing issues that affect focus, retention and performance. This webinar gives manufacturers practical ways to build that connection into their safety culture.”

Registration is now open. 4/29/2026

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

New industry reporting shows cumulative trauma injuries are attracting growing attention from insurers and regulators as a major driver of long-term workers’ compensation costs. Unlike single-incident claims, repetitive stress injuries often develop over extended periods, leading to longer claim duration, complex treatment and greater legal exposure. Analysts note that rising cumulative trauma trends are influencing underwriting decisions and could shape how carriers evaluate workplace risk moving forward. The shift places renewed emphasis on consistent job design, ergonomic awareness and proactive oversight that reduce exposure before claims escalate into extended liabilities.

“Cumulative trauma claims sit at the intersection of safety practices and system pressure,” said Jacob Sargent, director of public policy services for the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association. “When insurers start tightening around long-duration claims, employers feel it through underwriting, premiums and claim outcomes. Staying ahead of repetitive stress risks is not just a safety issue. It is a long-term competitiveness issue.” 2/25/2026

American Nitrile CEO and Ohio Manufacturers’ Association (OMA) board member Jacob Block (left) will outline a growing challenge facing employers when workers’ compensation claims intersect with immigration status and expiring visas during the OMA’s first Safety & Workers’ Compensation Committee meeting of the year on Thursday, Feb. 19. Block will provide an overview of cases in which employees receiving workers’ compensation benefits leave the country after visas expire but remain eligible under current rules, followed by a discussion of potential solutions.

The meeting will take place from 10 a.m. to noon at OMA headquarters, with a virtual Zoom option available, followed by a networking lunch from noon to 1 p.m., as employers navigate a fast-changing risk landscape shaped by new laws, rising claim complexity and increased scrutiny around workplace safety. Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation Administrator Stephanie McCloud will deliver updates on bureau initiatives and system trends, while Stacy Stefanik, partner at Stefanik, Iosue & Associates, will walk members through real-world strategies for preparing for hearings and improving outcomes. The agenda also includes Statehouse updates affecting employers, including the impact of recent recreational marijuana law changes on workplace safety and claims management.

“Employers are facing workers’ compensation issues that were never designed for today’s workforce realities,” said Jacob Sargent, OMA director of public policy services. “Our goal is to give manufacturers clear guidance and real strategies so they are not left carrying the risk alone.”

Register now to secure your seat and connect with peers facing the same safety and workers’ compensation challenges. 2/13/2026

Lawsuits filed in Franklin County are challenging whether Ohio’s workers’ compensation appeals judges meet legal qualifications, raising questions about how the state’s system for resolving disputes is administered.

The suits argue that the three members of the Ohio Industrial Commission, which hears appeals of Bureau of Workers’ Compensation decisions, do not meet a statutory requirement for six years of recognized expertise in workers’ compensation law. Attorneys for injured workers say that could affect the legal standing of past rulings. Supporters of the commissioners maintain the officials are qualified and that the lawsuits are aimed at reversing unfavorable decisions.

For manufacturers, the case introduces new uncertainty into a system central to workplace injury claims and compliance.

“Manufacturers are paying close attention to how the courts interpret the statute and what the outcome could mean for the appeals process,” said Jacob Sargent, director of public policy services for the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association. 2/2/2026

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost has cleared the way for a campaign to repeal a new law tightening the state’s marijuana and hemp regulations. Yost certified the title and summary of a revised referendum petition challenging Senate Bill 56, allowing supporters to begin collecting signatures to put the issue before voters.

Yost said his action reflects only that the petition summary is fair and accurate, not whether the proposal itself is legally sound. The law is scheduled to take effect in March.

Passed by lawmakers in December, the measure restricts most intoxicating hemp products and adds penalties for certain marijuana conduct that voters legalized in 2023.

Manufacturers said evolving cannabis policy creates added complications for workplace safety and drug rules.

“The shifting policy landscape creates challenges for employers trying to comply with the law,” said Jacob Sargent, director of public policy services for the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association. “Manufacturers operate in safety-sensitive workplaces, so uncertainty is not just inconvenient, it is risky.” 2/5/2026

Ohio’s workers’ compensation board is considering a 1% rate reduction that could save private employers nearly $10 million statewide if approved later this month.

The Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation Board of Directors is scheduled to vote Feb. 27 on the proposed cut, which would take effect July 1. If adopted, it would be the eighth consecutive rate reduction since 2019 and the 17th decrease in the past 18 years.

BWC officials said average rates for Ohio employers are at their lowest level in more than six decades. Actual premiums paid by individual manufacturers vary based on industry risk, claims history and participation in BWC programs. 2/2/2026

A new Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) initiative is giving employers a practical framework for building stronger workplace safety and health programs, according to an analysis by labor and employment law firm Fisher Phillips.

The initiative builds on OSHA’s Recommended Practices for Safety and Health Programs and outlines steps for management leadership, worker participation, hazard identification and prevention, training, and continuous improvement. The agency says the approach is designed to help employers move beyond compliance toward more effective injury and illness prevention.

Jacob Sargent, director of public policy services at the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association, said the guidance aligns with what manufacturers are already working to achieve. “Strong safety programs protect workers and help employers avoid disruptions that come with workplace injuries,” he said. “A clear framework gives companies another tool to strengthen their safety culture.”

Employers can use the initiative as a roadmap to evaluate existing programs and reinforce long-term safety practices. 2/3/2026