Safety and Workers' Compensation Management

Free Safety Resources for Manufacturers

OMA Connections Partner Safex has made available free workplace safety resources. Ebooks and videos cover OSHA’s regional noise hazard emphasis program; workplace safety culture; OSHA’s heat stress national emphasis program; tips for hazardous waste; and more. 6/7/2023

Ensuring Compliance With OSHA’s Heat NEP

In 2022, OSHA officials implemented a new national emphasis program (NEP) related to heat illnesses and injuries for outdoor and indoor workers. OMA Connections Partner Fisher Phillips has published this recap of the NEP and steps employers can take to avoid penalties.

Fisher Phillips has also published the latest edition in its series “Surviving an OSHA Inspection.” 5/31/2023

Bill Would Legalize Recreational Pot in Ohio

Ohio residents would be allowed to cultivate, purchase, and possess marijuana if House Bill 168 were enacted. Introduced by Reps. Jamie Callender (R-Concord) and Casey Weinstein (D-Hudson), the bill is similar to pro-legalization language that activists want on the November 2024 ballot, if they can gather enough signatures by the July 5 deadline. Read more. 5/31/2023

Post-Accident Drug Positivity for Marijuana Soars

Employers are discovering more marijuana use in drug tests after workplace accidents, according to a report. Quest Diagnostics found the number of marijuana-positive drug tests performed after an accident grew 204% from 2012 to 2022, coinciding with a trend of more states legalizing recreational use.

In 2022, the combined U.S. workforce urine drug positivity for all drugs persisted at 4.6% — the highest level in two decades. 6/1/2023

Safety Council Rebate to Increase to 3%

The Safety Council rebate for employers will increase from 2% to 3% for the July 2023 program year, according to the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation. Additionally, a $5,000 cap will be instituted on the maximum annual rebate an employer can earn. Employers are encouraged to attend a local safety council to experience the benefits. Learn more. 6/1/2023

Online Safety Training Opportunities

On Thursday, June 1, the OMA will host a 10 a.m. webinar to examine OSHA’s lockout/tagout requirements. Learn more and register.

Meanwhile, the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation is offering the following complimentary webinars:

• May 25 – Monthly employer update;
• June 6 – Basic requirements for self-insurance; and
• June 6 – Tips for measuring safety performance.

See the BWC’s events page for more training opportunities. 5/24/2023

BWC Drug-Free Workplace Safety Program Update

Starting in July, the Ohio BWC Drug-Free Safety Program will require one hour of employee education and one hour of supervisor training annually. This is a change from the previous requirement of one-time training. OMA Connections Partner Safex offers this required training. Learn more. 5/23/2023

BWC True-Up Begins July 1

The Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation true-up report will be available online starting July 1 — the first day of the private employer payroll true-up period. Employers will have until Aug. 15 to complete their true-up report for the BWC policy year that ends June 30, 2023. Here are more details. 5/24/2023

Ohio Sees 3,351 OSHA Inspections Since January 2022

From Jan. 1, 2022 through May 17, 2023, there were 3,351 OSHA inspections at Ohio workplaces, according to the OSHA Inspections Tracker published by OMA Connections Partner Fisher Phillips. More than 985 of OSHA’s Ohio visits were to manufacturing facilities. 5/18/2023

BWC’s MCO Open-Enrollment Period Closes May 26

The BWC’s Managed Care Organization (MCO) open-enrollment period continues through May 26. ProMedica Medical Management is the only OMA-endorsed MCO based on the company’s results. Choosing an MCO costs nothing and won’t affect your group discount or relationship with a workers’ compensation third-party administrator.

Questions? Contact an OMA Workers’ Compensation Services team member. 5/17/2023