As manufacturers head into 2026, employers face mounting pressure from rising medical and pharmacy costs, shifting employee expectations and the expanding role of technology in benefits and risk management. Workforce disruption and increasingly complex claims environments are forcing a more deliberate approach to workers’ compensation, health benefits and return-to-work programs. For Ohio manufacturers, the message is clear: proactive, data-driven strategies are essential to protect employees while controlling long-term costs. The Ohio Manufacturers’ Association’s 2026 Safety Webinar Series is designed to help employers address these challenges with practical guidance on prevention, compliance and proven risk-reduction practices.

With the Jan. 21 deadline approaching to enroll in the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation’s Group Retrospective Rating program, employers should act quickly. Group Retro remains one of the most effective tools available to reduce claims costs, improve outcomes and manage risk through coordinated safety and claims strategies, making timely enrollment critical in a year defined by cost pressure. 1/16/2026