Safety and Workers' Compensation Management

Opioid Infographic Illustrates BWC’s Success, Pharmacy Leadership

The Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) has created this infographic summarizing its work over the last six years to rein in excessive opioid prescriptions and the dangers they pose to injured workers, namely abuse, addiction and death.

The infographic summarizes the steps taken to reduce the number of injured workers dependent on opioids from 8,029 in 2011 to 4,101 in 2016, a near 50% drop.

According to the BWC, much of the success is credited to John Hanna, BWC pharmacy director. Per the BWC: “More than anyone, it is John who is responsible for the achievements highlighted in the infographic, as well as for other pharmacy program reforms we’ve implemented to protect injured workers. Along the way, with the backing of BWC leadership, he also built a pharmacy department that is a model in the work comp industry today.”

John retires at the end of this month.

Read more here. 9/21/2017

BWC Grants Topic of September 28 Webinar

The next Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) monthly webinar will cover the variety of grants offered through BWC.

The 20-minute webinar will cover Safety Intervention, Drug Free Safety, Transitional Work, Firefighter, Developmental Disabilities, and Wellness Grants.

The webinar is scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 28 at 11:30 a.m. Register here.

Click here if you would like to view a webinar with BWC staff at one of the local claims offices. This is a nice way to get to know your local BWC staff. 9/21/2017

Northeast Ohio Safety Expo is Oct. 13

The Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation and Mahoning County Career and Technical Center (MCCTC) will host the 10th annual Northeast Ohio Safety Expo Oct. 13.

The expo, which will be held at MCCTC, 7300 N. Palmyra Road, Canfield, OH 44406, will link employers to information and resources for keeping their employees safe and healthy on the job.

Educational sessions during the expo, which will run from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., will cover decreasing accident frequency and severity; active shooter training; dealing with a growing epidemic of drugs in the workplace; and managing workers’ compensation claims.

The expo also will feature displays from 50 safety and health providers.

Various educational credits including safety council credits can be earned by attending the conference.

The cost is $30, which includes a continental breakfast at 7 a.m. and a box lunch.

See more here. 9/18/2017

House Insurance Committee Hears Workers’ Compensation Bills

The House Insurance Committee returned this week from its summer recess to kick off its fall hearings. The committee entertained sponsor testimony on two new workers’ compensation bills, House Bill 268 and House Bill 269. Both bills are sponsored by Rep. Mike Henne (R-Clayton).

House Bill 268 would create a second self-insured fund and allow self-insured companies to buy private workers’ compensation policies. In his sponsor testimony for House Bill 268, Rep. Henne said that, “HB 268 will allow more Ohio employers the option to self-insure, and for those that are self-insured the ability to manage their risk as they see fit.”

House Bill 269 would make a variety of changes to the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation and the state fund. Testifying on House Bill 269, Rep. Henne stated, “The policy changes we are pursuing will help protect workers, give them the care they need if they do get injured and get them back to work as soon as possible, provide appropriate benefits when seriously injured or killed and rebrand the organization to better reflect their mission.”

OMA Safety and Workers’ Compensation Committee members heard from Rep. Henne about these proposals at their June 27 meeting and have ongoing questions about the measures. The committee will continue to consider the bills as they are worked through the legislative process. 9/14/2017

BWC Changes Statute of Limitations for Filing Claims … and More

Substitute House Bill 27 goes into effect September 29, 2017, and there are a number of changes that may impact businesses, including claimants will have one year to file a workers’ compensation claim involving an injury or death, instead of two.

Read more from OMA Connections Partner, Bricker & Eckler. 9/13/2017

NIOSH to Hold Webinar on Occupational Safety for the Aging Workforce

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) will host a webinar Sept. 28 from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m. ET on best practices for addressing occupational safety and health challenges posed by an aging workforce.

The webinar will feature presentations on: research to address age differences at work; coaching to help workers manage and reduce the strain that chronic illness may present; and translating scientific knowledge on aging and its societal implications into policy-focused practice.

For more information and to register, visit NIOSH’s website. 9/1/2017

BWC Safety Innovation Applications Due Sept. 30

Innovations come in many forms: equipment, machinery, processes and procedures. Read on to find out how you could win cash awards for your innovative ways.

The Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) established the Safety Innovation Awards to encourage and recognize innovative solutions that reduce the risk of workplace injuries and illnesses. Preventing harm benefits everyone – employers and employees alike. Showcasing the most successful innovations helps other Ohio employers in their safety efforts and can inspire them to develop innovative solutions of their own.

Learn more and apply by September 30 here. 9/6/2017

MOU Executed to Stop Raid on BWC Funds

OMA members will recall that, over the objections of the business community, the state budget contained a raid on Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) funds, a terrible precedent of using employer-paid premium for state operating purposes.

As reported to members earlier, the OMA and three business association partners worked with the Kasich administration to stop the raid. A memorandum of understanding (MOU) has now been fully executed to do just that. The MOU is signed by Tim Keen, director of the Office of Budget and Management, on behalf of the administration. 8/23/2017

OMA Director Testifies on Silica Rule

Dave Johnson, CEO of Summitville Tiles, Inc., and longtime director of the OMA, testified before the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration this week, asking for a repeal of the pending “silica rule” promulgated by the Obama administration. Johnson is working in conjunction with the effort of the National Association of Manufacturers on this regulatory overreach.

Johnson testified: “The shale and clay that are in use in our industry have a molecular structure belonging to minerals known as aluminosilicates … with only about 15% of their body composition containing crystalline (or free) silica.

“This particular molecular structure is NOT known to cause silicosis, as validated by years of the scientific research and documentation that the structural clay products industry has undertaken …

“In fact, the aluminosilicate compound that comprises 85% of our shale and clay body is essentially identical to the clay body composition which is used in the “Kitty Litter” industry, an industry which has, in fact, received an exemption from the ‘Silica Rule’ under consideration here.”

“(P)lease note,” he said, “that we have not had a single case of silicosis at Summitville Tiles in our 105 years in business.” 8/23/2017

A Billion Dollars Now in Employers’ Hands

Most employers should by now have received their Billion Back checks from the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC).

Private employers participating in the Group Retro Program can expect to see their rebate checks in early fall.

If you are not in a Group Retro Program and you haven’t received your Billion Back rebate, call the BWC at (800) 644-6292.

Most rebate recipients will receive Internal Revenue Service (IRS) 1099 tax documents. BWC will send 1099 forms no later than Jan. 31, 2018. 8/17/2017