Safety and Workers' Compensation Management

BWC Offers OSHA Training in North Canton

Now that the BWC has resumed in-person safety training, be on the lookout for opportunities near you. It’s a good time to catch up on safety training. BWC will offer a two-day, in-person, 10-hour OSHA training course — Industry Safety Basics — at its North Canton office Sept. 28-29. 9/6/2022

10 Random Things About Random Testing

From OMA Connections Partner Working Partners, here are 10 insights about random drug and alcohol testing to help employers better understand the process and expectations. 9/8/2022

ODH Urging Vaccinations for COVID-19, Flu

Now that the CDC has endorsed the use of updated COVID-19 booster shots that are tailored to combat omicron subvariants, Ohio health officials are urging Ohioans to get their COVID-19 boosters and flu shots as cooler weather approaches.

During a Sept. 8 news conference, Ohio Department of Health Director Bruce Vanderhoff said there’s a strong likelihood the flu will return in force this winter.

The CDC, meanwhile, has published this guidance on staying up to date with COVID-19 vaccinations. The agency also offers these vaccination FAQs. 9/8/2022

BWC’s Employer Update Webinar, Sept. 13

On Sept. 13, the Ohio BWC will host its monthly Employer Update Webinar. This 30-minute virtual event will address experience modifiers and how they are calculated, cost reduction strategies, no-fault car accident claims, important dates, and the monthly safety tip. Register here.

Employers can also view recorded presentations from past webinars. 9/1/2022

BWC’s In-Person Safety Training Resumes

Ohio BWC’s Division of Safety and Hygiene has announced it is resuming in-person safety training. The first in-person safety class will occur Sept. 27 at the Cleveland metropolitan area’s Indiana Wesleyan University.

Training is scheduled through June 2023 at 11 locations. BWC’s Safety Services Catalog (beginning on page 7) has listings by date for these classes. 8/31/2022

New BWC Form for Claims Involving Students

Under Ohio’s recently enacted Senate Bill 166, employers that provide work-based learning experiences for students enrolled in a career-tech education program can have eligible student claims excluded from their future workers’ comp premium calculation.

The BWC has created a new form called “Request to Exclude Work-Based Learning Pilot Program Claims from Employer’s Experience.” This form (U-157) is available here. For questions, email BWC staff. 9/1/2022

Safety Roundup: New COVID-19 Boosters to Be Authorized Around Labor Day, Reports Say

• Members participating in the BWC Drug Free Safety Program advanced level must complete the Safety Action Plan (DFSP-5) by Aug. 30. (Employers can check their progress and requirements in all BWC programs here.)
• Self-insured employers must pay their second BWC assessment prior to Aug. 31. The invoice can be viewed and paid online.
• Multiple media sources say the FDA plans to authorize new COVID-19 boosters around Labor Day. This news comes after the CDC recently relaxed its COVID-19 quarantine guidelines.
• U.S. Senate Democrats apparently have decided not to proceed with a proposal to quadruple financial penalties imposed on employers by OSHA, reports say.
• OMA Connections Partner Frantz Ward has published this guidance to help employers defend themselves against workers’ comp claims involving injuries that happened with no apparent explanation or associated hazard.
• For employers still using paper forms for their drug-free workplace program, OMA Connections Partner Working Partners^® has published these five benefits of switching to electronic forms.

As a reminder, at 10 a.m. Sept. 1, the OMA will host a safety webinar to examine common air contaminants found in the workplace. No charge for OMA Workers’ Comp members. 8/25/2022

BWC Employer Webinar Is Aug. 25

Join the BWC at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 25 for its Employer Update Webinar. This month’s update includes a brief review of tools for working with injured workers and their physicians, the Transitional Work Grant Program, key dates, and the monthly safety tip. 8/15/2022

BWC 2022-23 Safety Services Catalog Is Available

BWC has updated its Safety Services Catalog. In it you will find the safety services and programs available to Ohio employers at no additional cost. 8/15/2022

True Up by Monday!

Remember to true up your BWC policy by Monday, August 15.

Employers can be removed by the BWC from their current (2022/23) discount program if 2021 payroll is not reported and any 2021 balances owed are not paid by August 15.

Find resources on this web page and information about what payroll is reportable on this web page. Contact OMA’s workers’ comp leader, Juliet Walker. 8/10/2022