Safety and Workers' Compensation Management

OSU’s Wexner Medical Center to Host Free COVID-19 Employer Webinar, Sept. 16

The Ohio State University’s Wexner Medical Center will host a free COVID-19 employer webinar on Wednesday, Sept. 16, from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. (ET). The webinar will include a vaccine development update, as well as real-time pandemic data and advice to help protect your employees and customers. 9/10/2020

OSHA Releases Work-Related Injury, Illness Data

OSHA recently released work-related injury and illness data that was electronically submitted by employers for 2016, 2017 and 2018. According to the agency, the release follows two rulings in Freedom of Information Act cases. 9/8/2020

Senate Confirms Harris as BWC COO

A Cincinnati native and longtime veteran of the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) assumes the role of chief operating officer this week following her confirmation by the Ohio Senate today.

Patricia “Trish” Harris, who joined BWC as an intern in 1991, succeeds Kevin Abrams, who retired Monday after nearly four decades with the agency. 9/3/2020

BWC Sets Sept. Employer Update Webinar Dates

In its September Employer Update Webinar, the BWC will cover COVID-19, the proposed premium dividend, non-compliance claim resolution, transitional work bonus program and grant, important dates, and the monthly safety tip. The webinar will last about 25 minutes. Click these links to register:

• 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 8
• 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 24

The recorded webinar will be available for future viewing here. 9/2/2020

BWC Extends PAR Program for Small Employers

The Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) has extended the Policy Activity Rebate (PAR) program for another year. PAR provides eligible employers an opportunity to earn a 50% premium rebate, up to $2,000. The program promotes a safe work environment and raises awareness about the most important aspects of workers’ compensation.

BWC is conducting a free 15-minute educational webinar on October 7 at 1:30 for employers to learn more about the PAR program. 8/28/2020

House Bill 81 Updates Ohio Workers’ Compensation Law

As Ohio House Bill 81 goes into effect on September 15, 2020, OMA Connections Partner Calfee summarizes four substantial changes the bill makes to Ohio workers’ compensation law. This bill had the support of OMA. 9/2/2020

OSHA Responds to Enforcement Question Re. Training Requirements

Q. Will employers have additional time to complete annual training requirements because of mandated social distancing and other restrictions enacted during the coronavirus pandemic?

A. OSHA issued interim guidance on using discretion in enforcement when employers make good faith efforts to comply with OSHA standards during the pandemic. 9/1/2020

BWC Board Will Consider $1.5B Dividend Proposal on Sept. 25

The Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) board will vote Sept. 25 on Gov. Mike DeWine’s proposal to send Ohio employers up to $1.5 billion in dividends to ease the impact of COVID-19. If approved, the dividend would be the second payment of that magnitude this year — and the third since 2019.

This proposed dividend equals approximately 100% of the premiums that employers paid in policy year 2019. Checks could start going out in late October. (To be eligible for the dividend, make sure you have performed your true-up for the 2019 policy year by Oct. 2.)

Click here for BWC’s fact sheet on the dividend and masks initiative. 8/26/2020

OMA Webinar on OSHA Recordkeeping is Sept. 3

On Thursday, Sept. 3, at 11 a.m. (ET), the OMA will host an interactive webinar to address key principles of advanced OSHA recordkeeping. Presented by OMA Connections Partner Safex, this session will test participants and present them with a variety of complicated cases for evaluation — including some COVID-19 scenarios. Learn more or register here. 8/25/2020

BWC Announces September’s Safety Webinars

The Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation will conduct multiple free webinars for employers in September. Among these will be webinars on managing contractors’ safety performance in your facility (Sept. 8) and recognizing fire hazards (Sept. 22). 8/26/2020