With our own workers’ compensation third-party administration company — OMA Workers’ Compensation Services — no association is better equipped in the areas of safety and workers’ comp management.
We keep members apprised of OSHA updates; changes in the regulatory environment; updates from the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation and Industrial Commission; and content applicable to claims management. We also publish safety training opportunities from a variety of sources, including the OMA’s own monthly safety webinars.
This is another important service in the OMA’s efforts to protect and grow Ohio manufacturing!
The U.S. Department of Labor is seeking public input on a proposed rule to address excessive workplace heat, aimed at protecting around 36 million indoor and outdoor workers. The rule would require employers to assess heat risks, create emergency plans, and train employees to recognize heat-related illnesses. If adopted, it would be the first major regulation on heat exposure. Public comments are open through December 30, 2024, and OSHA has already received over 226,000 submissions. 9/3/2024
Last week, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued its first proposed heat standard.
The largely anticipated rule aims to implement protections for roughly 36 million indoor and outdoor workers at risk of heat exhaustion, heat stroke, and fatalities associated with extreme heat.
The most broadly applicable requirement in the proposed rule requires subject employers (10 employees or more) to develop a site-specific Heat Injury and Illness Prevention Plan (HIIPP) to deal with heat risks. This plan must include:
The public now has 120 days to provide comments, meaning that a final rule will not be issued before the November general election. 9/3/2024
This week, the OMA held its Safety & Workers Compensation committee in Columbus, focused on a slew of state and federal regulation updates. Highlights included:
8/28/2024
In the two weeks since recreational marijuana became available in Ohio, sales have skyrocketed, exceeding $22 million.
During the first three days of recreational sales, dispensaries were averaging $27,300 daily, an increase of 114% in relation to medical sales prior to recreational sales. 8/14/2024
A recent article from the Ohio Capital Journal answered employee questions about current Ohio law around smoking recreational marijuana.
Employers, both private and public, can still drug test and terminate employees for smoking marijuana off the clock, and employers are still free to enforce drug-free workplace policies.
OMA’s counsel Bricker Graydon has prepared this memo outlining employer protections in the Issue 2 statute. 8/14/2024
The OMA Workers’ Compensation team specializes in serving exclusively manufacturers, with over 600 manufacturing companies in Ohio using our services. Our system is designed specifically to handle self-insured and state fund manufacturers.
The Workers’ Compensation Services program offers discount programs such as Group Experience Rating and Group Retrospective Rating exclusively for manufacturers. Our single point of contact account managers team with industry experts, attorneys, and safety professionals to give manufacturers an in-depth and personalized support network that goes beyond claims management.
Manufacturers who are interested can fill out an AC3 form to get a free quote. 8/8/2024
The Ohio Bureau of Workers Compensation (Ohio BWC) has entered their private employer true-up period.
At the end of every policy year, employers must ensure the estimated premium set for them is correct. To do this, employers must file a true-up report that reflects the actual payroll for that policy year to BWC by no later than Aug. 15. A step-by-step video is available for you to walk you through the process.
Employers must have an OHID account to file your true-up report. To create an OHID account yet, please visit the OHID website. Visit OHID for Employers for additional resources. 8/8/2024
The recent overturn of the Chevron doctrine by the U.S. Supreme Court will impact workplace law in nearly every industry. Manufacturing, education, retail, and others all need to think about how this changes the workplace, especially workplace safety.
OMA Connections Partner Fisher Phillips has published these insights on how the post-Chevron era will impact workplace safety and could be used to combat regulatory overreach. 7/24/2024
According to the Bureau of Workers Compensation (BWC), unexpected complications with the post office and banks have delayed posting employers’ July 1 installment payments. Although any impacted OMA WCS members have already been identified and contacted by the OMA WCS team, the BWC has instituted a plan to catch up on delayed payment postings.
The OMA has been assured that all inappropriately assigned late fees and lapses of coverage due to this issue will be voided. 7/18/2024
Earlier this month, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) proposed a new rule that would require employers to develop injury and illness prevention plans in order to better protect workers from heat-related injuries and death.
OMA Connections Partner Fisher Phillips has created a detailed breakdown of the proposed rule, what it requires, and how it would impact workplace safety.
7/10/2024
Ohio’s first legal recreational marijuana sale could be just days away. Last week, the first provisional licenses were issued to dispensaries, cultivators, and processors that already had a medical license.
While around 75 provisional licenses have been awarded, many still need to meet the full list of requirements to officially sell legal marijuana.
Senate President Matt Huffman lamented the lack of legislative action on marijuana before their summer recess, saying he was ‘disappointed’ an agreement could not be reached.
Members of the House and Senate have been deliberating for weeks on potential changes to the voter-approved statute legalizing marijuana but could not reach an agreement despite the bipartisan effort. 6/26/2024
As the Eastern and Midwest portions of the U.S. see spikes in temperature, heat related injuries are also following suit, leading to heatstroke, fainting, cramps and fatigue.
According to the Workers Compensation Research Institute, workplace injuries rise between 5% and 6% when the daily maximum temperature exceeds 90 degrees. 6/17/2024
The deadline for an additional 2% rebate on premiums is approaching. Employers can pay their full 2024-2025 amount prior to July 1, 2024 to receive the 2% credit from the Bureau of Workers Compensation (BWC). For employers on a bi-monthly installment plan the first premium payment for 7/1/24 – 6/30/25 is due by June 21st, 2024 The 2023 true-up will open 7/1/2024 and employers can expect notices in the mail soon. Actual payroll 7/1/2023 – 6/30/2024 must be reported online to the BWC prior to August 31st, 2024 6/12/2024
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine this week banned nine types of synthetic opioids, many of which are linked to increased overdose rates. Synthetic opioids, called nitazenes, are stronger than fentanyl and were never created or approved for medical use. The order, signed by DeWine on Tuesday, classifies the nitazenes as a schedule I controlled substance, effectively banning the sale, use, or distribution statewide. 6/6/2024
Last week, the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) along with other business organizations filed a lawsuit against the Occupational Safety and Health Organization’s (OSHA) final “Walkaround” rule. The rule, which takes effect May 31, would allow non-employees, including attorneys, competitors, or union representatives to accompany OSHA inspectors during an inspection, regardless of whether the representative is your employee or the facility is a union shop. The OMA submitted comments opposing the rule last October, and supports the lawsuit by NAM. 5/28/2024
Workplace safety is a top concern among both manufacturers and their employees, and nearly 81% of employees say that solid company training makes them more inclined to stay. Occupational Health & Safety is hosting a free webinar on Jun 4 at 2 p.m. to discuss what safety training and measures manufacturing employees want in their workplace. 5/22/2024
OMA Connections Partner FisherPhillips has created a FAQ list on the new rule from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). The rule, issued on Mar. 29, allows third party representatives to accompany OSHA inspectors during workplace inspections. 5/14/2024
The Joint Committee on Agency Rule Review (JCARR) this week completed its review of the Division of Cannabis Control’s duel-use licensure rules, allowing medical marijuana dispensaries to apply to sell both medical and recreational marijuana. Jim Canepa, superintendent of the Division of Cannabis Control, said applications will be available by no later than June 7, as the new law requires. OMA Councel Bricker Graydon prepared a memo detailing Ohio’s recreational marijuana law. The OMA also has a webinar recording on Issue 2 and the rollout of recreational marijuana in Ohio. Email us to access the recording. 5/15/2024
Kimberly Carnahan has joined the OMA as one of the organization’s account managers in workers’ compensation services. In this role, Carnahan will provide claims management and accident investigation of workers’ compensation claims, manage cost saving strategies for OMA members, as well as consulting on compliance of BWC program eligibility and claims strategies. Kimberly and her three children reside in Madison County where they enjoy most of their time outdoors and actively participate in youth sports amongst their community. 5/6/2024
This week, the OMA Safety and Workers’ Compensation Committee met in Columbus to discuss updates and changes to Ohio’s recreational marijuana law, as well as the federal push to reclassify the drug. Other highlights included: – Presentation and discussion with Ohio Bureau of Workers Compensation Administrator John Logue on new agency initiatives and updates; – Presentation on heat injury and illness prevention; – Information on the minimum wage ballot initiative; and – An update on OSHA’s finalized ‘Walkaround Rule”. 4/26/2024
Interested in taking advantage of the OMA Workers’ Compensation Services?
