Safety and Workers' Compensation Management

Upcoming BWC Programs and Events

• Employers interested in Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) safety and cost-reduction programs have until May 31 to apply for the program year beginning July 1. This includes the Drug-Free Safety Program, Industry-Specific Safety Program, and Transitional Work Bonus Program. For questions, email Juliet Walker, the OMA’s managing director of workers’ compensation services.
• On May 10, the BWC will host a brief employer webinar to discuss the Estimated Annual Premium (EAP) and available installment options, elective and volunteer coverage, important dates, and the monthly safety tip. Visit the employer webinars page to attend or to view previous webinars.
• On May 9, the BWC will present virtual training on respiratory fit testing. On May 10, the agency will present a half-day session on how to prepare for workplace emergencies.

Keep in mind the BWC publishes this calendar of virtual safety webinars and trainings. 5/5/2022

Safety Roundup: Injury Claims Rise Among Newer Employees

This week’s safety-related developments and resources for OMA members include the following:

• On Thursday, May 5, the OMA will host a 10 a.m. webinar addressing the basics of machine guarding. Register here.
• As temperatures warm, OMA Connections Partner Safex has published this brief summary on OSHA’s new heat stress initiative. (The OMA offers an on-demand webinar providing guidance on this topic.)
• In Wisconsin, OSHA has imposed a local emphasis program to protect workers from machine and amputation hazards in food manufacturing facilities.
• OSHA has issued a hazard alert letter to Amazon to review its severe weather emergency procedures after six contractors were killed when a tornado struck an Illinois warehouse last December. (OSHA’s letter recommends areas for improvement, including that all employees participate in emergency weather drills.)

On the workers’ compensation front, a new nationwide survey shows injury claims by first-year employees have increased over the past decade, with a sizeable jump in manufacturing. 4/28/2022

Recreational Marijuana Initiative Introduced in Statehouse

Supporters of legalizing the recreational use of marijuana in Ohio applauded new state legislation that formally introduces language of the initiated statute sponsored by the Coalition to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol. Lawmakers have a four-month deadline to act; otherwise, the Coalition can begin collecting more signatures to place the issue on the November ballot.

To help employers maintain a drug-free workplace, OMA Connections Partner Working Partners^® has offers this marijuana resource center. 4/25/2022

BWC Will Soon Send Annual Notices

At the beginning of May 2022, the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) will begin sending private employers their Notice of Estimated Annual Premium and premium installment schedule for the policy year that begins July 1, 2022.

This document assists employers in budgeting for premium expenses for the next policy year. Employers can contact the BWC if they need a change to their estimate payroll or their installment schedule. Changes to the installment schedule must be completed by May 15, 2022. 4/21/2022

BWC’s Employer Webinar is April 28; Website Down for Maintenance May 1

The Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) webinar on Thursday, April 28 will cover program options for employers; maintaining demographic information on the BWC website; July 1, 2022 estimated annual premium; important dates; and a safety tip.

The webinar is scheduled for 30 minutes starting at 11:30 a.m. More here.

Also, the BWC website will be down for maintenance 3 – 6 p.m. Sunday, May. 1. 4/18/2022

OSHA Launches Inspection Program to Prevent Heat Illness

OSHA has launched its national emphasis program (NEP) aimed at protecting workers from heat illness and injuries. Here’s a one-page fact sheet, and here’s guidance from OMA Connections Partner Fisher Phillips.

According to this press release, OSHA personnel will “proactively initiate inspections” in high-risk industries — including manufacturing — on days when the heat index is 80 degrees or more.

Under the new program, OSHA intends to double the number of heat-related inspections, reports say. The agency will hold a public stakeholder meeting on May 3 to discuss its heat-related activities. 4/13/2022

On-Demand Webinar: Arc Flash Protection

One of the most dangerous situations anyone working with — or around — electricity faces is an arc flash. This on-demand webinar presented by OMA Connections Partner Tyndale details how the proper flame-resistant clothing can help protect employees from arc flashes. It includes brief, downloadable videos that can be used as training aids. 4/13/2022

OMA Safety & Workers’ Comp Committee Holds Initial Meeting of 2022

On April 5, nearly 100 members of the OMA Safety & Workers’ Compensation Committee gathered in Columbus and via Zoom for the committee’s first meeting of 2022.

Following a discussion on activist efforts to legalize marijuana use in Ohio — or expand the state’s medical marijuana law — Karen Pierce from OMA Connections Partner Working Partners^® updated members on the BWC’s reimbursement programs for employers that maintain a drug-free workforce policy and program. Dianne Grote Adams, president of OMA Connections Partner Safex, provided updates on OSHA activity.

The committee meets again June 28. 4/6/2022

OSHA Targeting Employers That Fail to Submit Injury, Illness Data

OSHA has announced it is initiating an enforcement program to identify employers that fail to submit Form 300A data through the agency’s Injury Tracking Application (ITA). Annual electronic submissions are required by establishments with 20-249 employees in specific industries with historically high rates of occupational injuries and illnesses, including manufacturing. 4/6/2022

Arc Flash Safety Webinar, April 13

On Wednesday, April 13, the OMA will host a webinar to spotlight how the proper flame-resistant clothing can help protect employees from arc flashes. Presented by OMA Connections Partner Tyndale, this online event will present brief, downloadable videos that can be used by members as training aids. Register today. 4/5/2022