Safety/Workers’ Comp

Ohio lawmakers are working to finalize regulations for hemp products and update rules for recreational marijuana by Thanksgiving, an effort expected to bring long-awaited clarity to the state’s evolving cannabis market.

The initiative, led by state Sen. Steve Huffman, R-Tipp City, through Senate Bill 56, addresses key issues such as THC limits in hemp-infused beverages, where hemp and marijuana products may be sold and how to align existing hemp regulations with the state’s voter-approved adult-use marijuana program.

Huffman told Cleveland.com that THC-infused beverages remain a sticking point, but said differences between the House and Senate are not “insurmountable.”

A final agreement this month would give businesses and consumers clearer guidance ahead of the adult-use market’s full rollout. Huffman said he remains optimistic about reaching a deal before Thanksgiving. 11/4/2025

At this week’s Third-Party Administrator Forum, the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) shared new safety initiatives and the latest data on workplace fatalities. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries, Ohio recorded 164 fatal workplace injuries in 2023. The trade, transportation and utilities sector accounted for the largest share with 36 deaths, followed by construction with 32. The manufacturing sector ranked third, with 21 worker fatalities — a stark reminder that safety risks remain high on the shop floor.

To strengthen prevention efforts, BWC announced new fiscal year 2026 policy updates. Employers can earn up to a 3% rebate — capped at $5,000 — by earning safety credits through approved meetings, training and consultations. Steering committees must now include at least 10 active members, and sponsor funding will be tiered between $5,000 and $24,500 based on participation.

The Ohio Manufacturers’ Association will continue to share resources to help manufacturers prevent injuries and save lives. 10/29/2025

On Wednesday, the Ohio House passed Senate Bill 56, updating marijuana and intoxicating hemp regulations that affect workplace safety in manufacturing. The bill requires THC-containing hemp products to be sold only by licensed dispensaries to adults 21 and older, with strict testing, packaging and advertising rules. Gov. Mike DeWine recently issued a temporary ban on intoxicating hemp sales, currently paused by a court order, with a hearing scheduled for Tues., Oct. 28 at the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas.

The bill sets THC limits for hemp products and allows regulated sales of THC-infused beverages. Changes in product distribution and use mean manufacturers and employers should update workplace drug policies and safety training. Recreational marijuana rules are also changing, including lower THC limits and bans on public smoking, which may impact workplace environments.

“Our constituents … have also made clear that we don’t want every downtown in Ohio to smell like a Grateful Dead concert,” state Rep. Brian Stewart, R-Ashville, told the Ohio Capital Journal.

With Ohio’s cannabis market growing fast — exceeding $700 million in sales last year — the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association will continue to help employers stay up to date on these rules to maintain safe workplaces and compliance. 10/23/2025

The Ohio Manufacturers’ Association Safety & Workers’ Compensation Committee held its final meeting of the year on Weds., Oct. 15, featuring updates on Gov. Mike DeWine’s State of Emergency regarding intoxicating hemp and Delta-8 THC, and the order’s implications for workplace safety and drug testing.

Members also heard from Conn Maciel Carey’s Nick Scala on the effects of federal government shutdowns on Occupational Safety and Health Administration operations. Additionally, Ana Cammarata of the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation spoke to the group on the Substance Use Prevention and Recovery Program. 10/15/2025

The U.S. Senate has confirmed David Keeling as the new assistant secretary of labor for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), a move safety community leaders are applauding. With nearly four decades of experience, Keeling is expected to bring a renewed focus to modernizing regulatory oversight using tools like predictive analytics and informed design.

Manufacturing leaders should pay close attention to his agenda, which includes a strong emphasis on leveraging industrial consensus standards to drive best practices and reduce persistent workplace fatalities. His confirmation comes at a crucial time as OSHA seeks to strengthen enforcement and adapt to evolving workplace hazards.

Read more from Fisher Phillips about what to expect from Keeling here. 10/8/2025

Earlier this week, the OMA applauded Gov. Mike DeWine for protecting Ohioans from unregulated, intoxicating hemp products that threaten public health and workplace safety. On Wednesday, DeWine signed an executive order temporarily banning the sale of these products. The ban will begin on Tuesday, Oct. 14 and last for 90 days. “These products have created real challenges for employers seeking to maintain safe, drug-free workplaces. The governor’s action reinforces the importance of clear, consistent rules that protect workers and ensure Ohio remains a safe state to do business,” OMA President Ryan Augsburger said in a statement.

Intoxicating hemp-derived products, such as edibles, gummies, and other consumables containing delta-8 THC, are primarily sold through vape shops and, to a lesser extent, convenience stores and gas stations. Delta-8 THC produces psychoactive effects similar to those of delta-9 THC found in marijuana. 10/8/2025

A former Tesla robotics technician is suing the company and robot maker Fanuc for $51 million after a robotic arm allegedly struck and knocked him unconscious at Tesla’s Fremont facility, HR Dive reports.

The case highlights how the rapid adoption of robotics brings not only productivity gains but also new safety and liability challenges. Even companies on the cutting-edge are being forced to update protocols in real time, underscoring the importance of evolving safeguards as automation becomes more deeply embedded in manufacturing. 10/2/2025

The Association for Advancing Automation has released the first major update in more than a decade to the American National Standard for Industrial Robots and Robot Systems – Safety Requirements. The revised standard offers clarified safety requirements, guidance for collaborative robots, updated classifications and new cybersecurity provisions, setting a higher safety benchmark for manufacturers and integrators.

A third part, addressing safety for users of robot cells, will be released later this year. 9/25/2025

On Thursday, Oct. 2, the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association and Safex will discuss Protecting Employees from Inhalation Exposures & Noise, during the OMA’s monthly safety webinar series. Learn how and why assessing potential inhalation and noise exposures is critical to protecting workers from chronic illness and long-term health risks.

Manufacturers know firsthand how critical safety is within operations, and the OMA’s third-party administrative service is designed exclusively for Ohio’s manufacturing community. Two-thirds of eligible member companies trust the OMA with their workers’ compensation needs.

Why work with a generic TPA when you can work with the people who know manufacturing best? Interested in learning more? Visit the OMA website or get things started by submitting an updated AC-3. For questions, please contact Nate Mays, Director of Member Services.

With enrollment deadlines for group discount programs coming quickly, now is the perfect time to explore how the OMA can improve your workers’ compensation experience.

9/17/2025

Manufacturers looking to protect themselves from emergency situations may want to review the recent OMA-recorded safety webinar, Emergency Action Plans: Shelter in Place & Evacuations, featuring Ryan Moon of Safex sharing tips for emergency action plans and shelter-in-place evacuations. 9/10/2025

A recent article from the Institute for Supply Management highlights how AI-powered video analytics are increasingly being used by manufacturers to improve workplace safety by identifying ergonomic risks, monitoring PPE compliance and detecting hidden hazards in real time.

By analyzing day-to-day operations and past incidents, these tools help prevent injuries and reduce workers’ compensation costs. AI also supports compliance with complex regulations, enabling companies to navigate both U.S. and international safety and sustainability standards.

Manufacturers can leverage these emerging technologies to proactively address risks, improve productivity and maintain safer, more efficient workplaces. 9/3/2025

The August 31 deadline for employers to report actual payroll for the preceding policy year is fast approaching!

Employers who fail to submit both payroll and payment by the August 31 deadline will be removed from discount programs and deemed ineligible for the upcoming year. Payroll reporting for the policy year spanning July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025, can be completed online beginning July 1, 2025.

The BWC has created resources to assist employers in reporting, including how to file a true-up report, what payroll is reportable, and how to report for corporate officers. 8/14/2025

Ohio’s workers compensation rates remain some of the lowest in the country, ranking as the fifth‑lowest state as of Jan. 1, 2024, according to a report from the Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services.

This marks a dramatic reversal from 2008, when Ohio had among the nation’s highest rates. The state’s premium index fell from 83 cents per $100 of payroll in 2022 to 68 cents in 2024.

Gov. Mike DeWine and BWC Administrator Stephanie McCloud credited the decline to improved workplace safety and the agency’s efforts. Private employers will benefit from another 6 percent premium cut effective July 1, saving nearly $60 million statewide. 7/20/2025

The Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) launched a new voluntary program July 1 aimed at helping employers prevent and respond to substance use disorders in the workplace. The Substance Use Prevention and Recovery (SUPR) Program replaces the Drug‑Free Safety Program and consolidates several prior grant initiatives.

Through SUPR, employers can qualify for premium rebates by meeting defined safety and prevention standards, including establishing drug-free workplace policies, providing employee training, and offering substance use assessments and testing. The program also covers reimbursement for related expenses and gives participants free access to the BWC’s “Better You, Better Ohio!” wellness program. 7/17/2025

The Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) is eliminating the grace period for submitting actual payroll.

Employers who fail to submit both payroll and payment by the August 31 deadline will be removed from discount programs and deemed ineligible for the upcoming year. Payroll reporting for the policy year spanning July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025, can be completed online beginning July 1, 2025.

The BWC has created resources to assist employers in reporting, including how to file a true up report, what payroll is reportable, and how to report for corporate officers. 7/9/2025

The Ohio House and Senate this week passed House Bills 80 and 81, which set the biennial budgets for the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) and the Industrial Commission for fiscal years 2026–27.

HB 80 funds upgrades to the Industrial Commission’s technology for electronic and remote hearings. HB 81 supports BWC operations, extends prosthetic device coverage, renames the ombudsperson office, and reforms processes for injured incarcerated workers and Professional Employer Organization transitions. The bills now head to Gov. Mike DeWine for his signature.

Meanwhile, Republicans in the Ohio legislature seemed to have reached a compromise on Senate Bill 56, which proposed limits on THC, home grows, and tax allocations following the 2023 legalization vote, but the agreement collapsed hours before the scheduled vote.

The Senate version would redirect all marijuana tax revenue to the state’s general fund and impose stricter penalties, including a mandatory jail sentence for sharing, while scaling back home-grow and dispensary counts. In contrast, the House aimed to preserve local revenue shares and oppose harsher penalties.

With more than a dozen last-minute Senate changes, leadership pulled the bill and delayed it until after summer recess. 6/25/2025

This week, OSHA began public hearings on its proposed national heat hazard rule, the first federal standard aimed at protecting indoor and outdoor workers from heat-related illness. The rule would trigger protections at 80°F and stronger controls at 90°F, requiring employers to implement heat-risk plans with engineering and administrative measures, hydration, rest, shade, and acclimatization protocols.

The informal hearings, part of OSHA’s seven-step rulemaking process, run through July 2 and include testimony from labor advocates supporting the rule and business groups warning that the rule should allow flexibility for regional climates and operational needs.

Absent a federal standard, many states maintain their own heat rules, creating inconsistent protections across jurisdictions. 6/16/2025

This week, the OMA Safety & Workers’ Compensation Committee held its second meeting of the year, covering several updates to proposed OSHA rules, including the new Site-Specific Targeting plan, and Ohio legislation to regulate hemp products.

Committee members also heard presentations from Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation Special Investigations Division on curbing fraud, OMA Connections Partner Safex on OSHA’s Site-Specific Targeting, and Honda Motor Company on their commitment to road safety in Ohio. 6/12/2025

June is National Safety Month, a time for manufacturers to reinforce workplace safety and reduce preventable injuries. Sponsored by the National Safety Council (NSC), the campaign highlights weekly themes like roadway safety, risk reduction, and mental health.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) also urges employers to review safety protocols, conduct hazard assessments, and engage workers in identifying risks. Manufacturers can access free resources, including training guides, posters, and checklists, from both NSC and OSHA. Employers are encouraged to use this month to update safety programs, promote reporting systems, and ensure compliance with OSHA standards. 6/12/2025

OSHA’s updated Site-Specific Targeting (SST) inspection program took effect on May 20, which focuses on non-construction workplaces with 20 or more employees. The new program identifies establishments for inspection based on:

• High Days Away, Restricted, or Transferred (DART) rates in 2023
• Upward-trending DART rates significantly above the 2022 private sector average
• Exceptionally low DART rates to verify data accuracy
• Failure to submit 2023 Form 300A data

The program sets separate DART thresholds for manufacturing and non-manufacturing sectors. This initiative aims to direct enforcement resources to workplaces with elevated injury and illness rates, ensuring safer work environments.

OMA Connections Partner Fisher Phillips has consolidated and answered the top five questions from employers on the updated SST program. 6/3/2025