The Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) reopened the Safety Intervention Grant (SIG) on July 1, 2025 and is accepting new applications. This is great news for employers who are looking for funding to purchase equipment to help reduce or eliminate workplace injuries or illnesses.

This is the time of year when you undoubtedly receive multiple phone calls, emails and hardcopy mail promoting workers' compensation programs.

The Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) is making changes to enhance its efforts in addressing substance abuse among the state’s workforce. The new program, known as the Substance Use Prevention and Recovery Program (SUPR), combines the Drug-Free Safety Program (DFSP), DFSP Safety Grants and the Substance Use Recovery and Workplace Safety Program.

The Ohio workers’ compensation process can sometimes feel overwhelming, especially when there is a need to contest a claim before the Ohio Industrial Commission (IC).

In today’s fast-paced work environment, many employees find themselves settling into routines that can often lead to complacency.

The Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) provides workers’ compensation coverage based on estimated payroll. Therefore, at the end of the policy year, BWC asks employers to report their actual payroll for the prior policy year and pay any shortage (or receive a refund for any overage) in premium. This process is called a true-up.

Each year hundreds of employees who are required to work in hot environments or outside in direct sun light suffer heat related illnesses. These may range from heat cramps to heat stroke. In serious cases exposure to hot temperature or heat can cause death.

Did you know the Sedgwick Safety and Loss Prevention Department has safety consultants who can assist you and your company with developing and maintaining an effective safety and risk management program.

The Ohio Committee for Severe Weather Awareness considers March 16 – March 22nd as Severe Weather  Awareness Week. During this time, Governor Mike DeWine encourages Ohio Businesses to prepare themselves for  spring and summer weather hazards, including thunder, lighting, tornadoes and floods.

Managed Care Organizations (MCOs) play an important role for both employers and their injured employees. Not  only do MCOs have an oversight function in the medical treatment and return-to-work process, but they are also  responsible for the initial reporting of claims to the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation.

The Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation is merging the Drug Free Safety and Substance Use Recovery programs into a new, streamlined program called Substance Use Prevention & Recovery Program (SUPR).

The Ohio Supreme Court has finalized its decision in relation to AutoZone Stores v. Industrial Commission of Ohio.  As you may recall, the question before the Supreme Court in this case was whether the injured worker was  entitled to temporary total compensation (TT) after being terminated from his position due to a physical  altercation with his supervisor.

As the new year begins, many organizations look at ways to improve their safety programs. One way I have found  effective over the years is to compare your safety program to OSHA’s Top Ten Violations List. Identifying what OSHA  sees in the workplace during their inspections and comparing that to your organization is an excellent opportunity to  find any gaps or deficiencies within your safety process.  

Sedgwick offers a comprehensive, webinar-based education program to current clients, covering a variety of topics  within the workers’ compensation industry. These training webinars are free to member clients of Sedgwick. 

The beginning of 2025 is here and that means your OSHA (private employers) and PERRP (public employers)  Recordkeeping logs, summary and online reporting will be due.

‘Tis the season that many of our clients host volunteer events in their respective communities.  Volunteer work makes us stronger together to serve our people. These employer-sponsored events are  considered recreational activities. Many times, employers are cautious about having recreational or  fitness activities at their workplaces because of the potential of an employee getting injured and filing a  workers' compensation claim. 

Employee engagement in workplace safety is critical for maintaining a safe and productive  environment. When employees actively engage in safety efforts, they're more likely to follow protocols,  identify hazards and contribute to a culture prioritizing well-being.

As most employers know, the financial and emotional impact of a work-related employee injury can be significant.  While the primary goal is to ensure the injured worker receives appropriate care, minimizing the costs associated  with the accident should also be a focus for employers. 

 Safe driving in the winter requires extra caution and preparation due  to challenging conditions like snow, ice and reduced visibility. Developing a program to assist  employees with the unexpected is a great way to prepare them if they are caught in one of those scary  situations.

As the warm temperatures begin to drop, we all know that cold weather is right around the corner.  This should remind us that we must change our thinking from heat safety to cold safety. Cold weather  hazards can be just as dangerous to our employees as the heat, so it is imperative we take the steps to  protect them from these hazards. Hazards such as immersion, frostbite and hypothermia are just a few  cold stress conditions that are dangerous to our employees. Training employees on these hazardous  conditions and the steps to minimize them is key to keeping workers safe.