Safety and Workers' Compensation Management

BWC Offers Safety Training Sessions

Over the next several weeks — in locations statewide — the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation will offer no-cost training.

From OSHA compliance, to hearing protection, to lockout/tagout practices, to machine guarding, there are numerous offerings. See the lineup of in-person and virtual training sessions via the BWC’s events calendar. 9/14/2023

Take This Quiz to Test Your OSHA Knowledge

How much do you know about the latest rules and regulations issued by OSHA? EHS Today has published this online quiz to test your knowledge. 9/14/2023

Indicators Point to Rising COVID-19 Cases This Fall

Two weeks before the official start of autumn, signs are pointing to a rise in COVID-19 cases, as reported by national media.

Scroll down on this CDC page to see a map showing the seven-day COVID-19 case rates for every U.S. county.

Here is the updated list of cases in each Ohio county. This map shows which Ohio communities are seeing increases in COVID-19 infection based on wastewater samples.

Meanwhile, don’t toss any old at-home COVID-19 tests until you check if the expiration date has been extended. See this information. 9/7/2023

OSHA Unveils Union Walkthrough Rule

Federal regulators have just issued a proposed rule to give designated union representatives the right to accompany OSHA inspectors during facility walkarounds — regardless of whether the representative is an employee or the facility is a union shop. Here is OSHA’s press release.

OMA Connections Partner Fisher Phillips has published this guidance for employers regarding the proposed rule and how your company can prepare. 8/30/2023

CDC Site Provides Vaccine Information

The Biden administration will encourage Americans to get the updated COVID-19 vaccine when it rolls out in mid-September, the White House said this week. The CDC has published this COVID-19 vaccine page, which includes a search tool for access to updated vaccines. 8/30/2023

Drug-Free Program Deadline Is Aug. 31

Private employers participating in the BWC’s Drug-Free Safety Program (DFSP) at the advanced level for the July 1 policy year must submit a DFSP Safety Action Plan (DFSP-5) no later than today, Aug. 31. You can submit the DFSP-5 online. For more on DFSP requirements, see this page. 8/31/2023

Safety Roundup: BWC Deadlines; OSHA Inspections

• Members participating in the advanced BWC Drug Free Safety Program must complete the Safety Action Plan (DFSP-5) by Aug. 31. (Employers can check their progress and requirements in all BWC programs here.)
• Self-insured employers must pay their second BWC assessment before Aug. 31. The invoice can be viewed and paid online.
• On Sept. 7, the BWC will host a no-cost virtual workshop on emergency preparedness planning. Learn more.
• As part of its series on providing tips for surviving an OSHA inspection, OMA Connections Partner Fisher Phillips has published this guidance.
• Marijuana and hallucinogen use, as well as binge drinking, reached historic highs among adults 35 to 50 in 2022, according to a federally funded study.
• A year after contracting COVID-19, about 6% of U.S. workers were still receiving medical care due to the effects of “long COVID,” according to a new workers’ compensation study.
• As COVID-19 cases tick up in Ohio and the rest of the U.S., the Ohio Hospital Association has published this dashboard. (Here’s an overview of Ohio’s recent COVID-19 cases Ohio’s county-by-county case numbers.)

As a reminder, the OMA will host a Sept. 7 safety webinar on machine safeguarding. Details here. No charge for OMA Workers’ Comp members. 8/24/2023

Guidance for Members: OSHA’s New Reporting Rule

The U.S. Department of Labor recently announced a final rule requiring establishments with 100 or more employees in certain industries (including manufacturing) to electronically submit information once a year to OSHA from their Form 300-Log of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses and Form 301-Injury and Illness Incident Report. (Scroll to the bottom of this page and view Appendix B for a list of affected industries.)

Dianne Grote Adams, president of OMA Connections Partner Safex, has prepared this short video (and handouts) to explain the rule and provide implementation guidance. Please note that the OMA’s Nov. 2 safety webinar will address OSHA’s new reporting requirements. Register here. 8/22/2023

Recreational Marijuana to Appear on November Ballot

Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose this week announced that a proposed initiated statute to legalize recreational marijuana will be placed on this November’s ballot after supporters collected enough valid signatures.

The OMA board plans to meet soon to discuss this development.

Earlier this month, the OMA hosted a virtual members’ meeting to address the initiative. The meeting featured expert guidance to help keep the workplace safe, regardless of the vote this November. 8/17/2023

Checklist: Drug-Free Workplace Priorities

As previously reported, the OMA recently hosted a virtual members’ meeting to examine the proposed November ballot issue that seeks to legalize recreational use of marijuana in Ohio.

Among the presenters was safety expert Ryan Moon with Safex, an OMA Connections Partner. Moon said the potency of marijuana — that is, the amount of THC it contains — has increased substantially over the years.

This slide show from Safex’s presentation includes a checklist of steps employers can take to help keep the workplace safe. Also, here’s the slide show presented by OMA Connections Partner Working Partners, outlining considerations for a drug-free workplace policy. 8/10/2023