Safety and Workers' Compensation Management

Learn About ‘Better You, Better Ohio!’ Employee Wellness Program

At 10 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 18, Ohio BWC will host a 30-minute webinar on the “Better You, Better Ohio!” program. This no-cost health-and-wellness program benefits workers of businesses with 250 or fewer employees engaged in higher-risk industries, including manufacturing. Register for the webinar. 8/10/2022

Safety Roundup: Online Training Opportunities

• There’s still time to register for the OMA’s Aug. 23 safety webinar, which will cover best practices for managing a workers’ compensation claim when a positive post-accident drug test is involved.
• On Aug. 10, Ohio BWC is offering a complimentary webinar to provide an introduction to OSHA standards. On Aug. 17, the BWC will host another webinar to discuss basic tools and strategies for improving wellness in the workplace.
• OMA Connections Partner Working Partners^® has developed protocol packages to provide employers with resources to help them address common drug-free workplace situations.
• The National Institute of Standards and Technology has created an online tool designed to help employers assess ventilation and indoor air quality. (The OMA’s safety webinar in September will address air quality issues and related OSHA regulations.)

The OMA reminds its members that private employers in Ohio have until Aug. 15 to complete their true-up report for the BWC policy year that ended June 30, 2022. 8/4/2022

OSHA Surpasses 1,200 Ohio Inspections Year to Date

According to the OSHA Inspections Tracker — published by OMA Connections Partner Fisher Phillips — the agency had conducted more than 1,200 workplace inspections across Ohio as of July 8. Nearly 370 of these inspections occurred at manufacturing sites. 7/27/2022

Reminder: Aug. 15 BWC Payroll True-Up Deadline

Private employers in Ohio have until Aug. 15 to complete their true-up report for the workers’ compensation policy year that ended June 30, 2022. This report is required by the BWC to ensure that the estimated premium for the 2021/22 policy year was correct.

If your true-up payroll exceeds the estimated payroll, you’ll owe additional premium (payment also due by Aug. 15). If your true-up payroll is less than your estimated payroll, you’ll receive a premium credit. Here are helpful resources and additional information. 7/27/2022

Biden Administration Unveils Heat.gov

The Biden administration has launched a new heat preparedness website called Heat.gov to coordinate information on extreme heat. It includes the CDC’s Heat and Health Tracker, which notes that there are more than 700 heat-related deaths and 67,500 emergency room visits every year due to heat.

As part of its heat illness prevention program, OSHA has published this poster for employers. 7/28/2022

A Plan for Ongoing Management of COVID-19

The recent uptick in COVID-19 cases has prompted the White House to issue a new fact sheet outlining its strategy to “manage BA.5.” Now, OMA Connections Partner Fisher Phillips has published this four-step plan, which provides a mitigation strategy to employers in areas of “high” risk for COVID-19 transmission.

The firm notes that OSHA still considers COVID-19 a “recordable illness” if work related. 7/20/2022

Update on COVID-19 Approved Respirators

During the early days of the pandemic, NIOSH granted temporary Public Health Emergency (PHE) use for certain N95 respirators and powered air-purifying respirators due to shortages. The situation has changed, according to this update from OMA Connections Partner Safex, as several respirators have been deemed obsolete. 7/18/2022

Managing Workers’ Comp Claim Costs With Light Duty Offers

Light duty job offers must be crafted carefully to ensure they are considered valid. That’s the insight from OMA general counsel Bricker & Eckler in this guidance, which examines the elements of proper light duty job offers that provide a way to return an employee to work, while also saving employers significant money in claim costs. 7/18/2022

Safe + Sound Week Is Aug. 15-21

OSHA is encouraging employers to commit to workplace safety and health during Safe + Sound Week, Aug. 15-21. Register now to participate in this nationwide event that recognizes the successes of workplace safety and health programs — and offers information and ideas on how to keep workers safe. 7/19/2022

BWC’s Next Employer Webinar Is July 28

The Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation will host its next employer webinar Thursday, July 28 at 11:30 a.m. The complimentary, 30-minute event will cover updating your policy information, annual employer true-up, fraud red flags, important dates, and the monthly safety tip. Register here. 7/13/2022