‘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.  

The Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) is tasked with protecting the integrity of Ohio's  workers' compensation system. One way BWC does this is by identifying and preventing fraudulent  activities from workers, employers and health-care providers. Fraud undermines the financial stability  of the system and impacts honest workers and businesses. 

The Claim Impact Reduction Program (CIRP) is a voluntary program that employers may participate in to  limit the impact of a single significant claim for the duration the claim remains in their experience. 

Monitoring noise levels in the workplace is essential to protecting employees' hearing and ensuring a conducive  working environment. The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention has estimated that nearly 22 million workers  are exposed to potentially damaging noise at work each year. Damaging noise levels can occur in many industries,  including manufacturing, construction, agriculture, maintenance, landscaping & lawncare and even at sports  venues.  

For most employers, workers’ compensation is one of a thousand items that require their attention  daily. Most workers’ compensation professionals will tell you that the best injury is one that never  happens. The reality is that there are 257,000 private and public Ohio employers incurring  approximately 67,432 allowable injuries in 2023. (Source: Ohio Bureau of Workers Compensation 2023 Annual Report). 

Monitoring for indoor air contaminants at work is crucial for maintaining a healthy and productive  environment. Poor air quality can lead to various health issues, including respiratory problems, headaches, fatigue  as well as affect morale and productivity.

An employer’s experience modification rate (EMR), which is determined by the Ohio Bureau of  Workers’ Compensation (BWC), greatly impacts workers’ compensation premium that an employer  pays. If you have safer operations, with little to no workers’ compensation claims, you will have a  better than average EMR. If you have a less safe operation, with numerous costly claims, you will have  a worse than average EMR. Typically, the better your EMR, the lower the premium that you will pay to  the BWC.  

Forklifts, also known as powered industrial trucks, play a crucial role in various industries, from manufacturing and construction to warehousing and logistics. However, if not managed properly, their operations pose significant risks to both operators and bystanders. Implementing comprehensive safety measures and adhering to regulations is paramount to prevent accidents and ensure a secure working environment.

Trenching and excavation work can be hazardous if not properly managed. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has specific safety requirements to ensure the safety of workers engaged in these activities.

The Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) offers employers many different rating, bonus and rebate programs to encourage cost control, return to work, efficiency and safety.

Contractors provide a number of services for companies including building renovations, electrical work, machine  maintenance, new building additions and machine installation. With these services, it is paramount that both the  contractor and host employer take the necessary precautions to keep all employees safe during these activities.

The Ohio Supreme Court recently issued a decision that relates to the date that temporary total compensation (TT) should be terminated when the Industrial Commission deems that an injured worker has achieved maximum medical improvement (MMI)

You may have seen, over the years, an increase in warehouse operations in your area. This is due to the industry’s  significant growth since 2011. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA),  warehousing and distribution facilities have experienced a surge in employment from 668,900 to 1,713,900. The  study included industries in warehousing and distribution centers, mail/postal processing and distribution centers  and parcel delivery/courier services. Unfortunately, the increase in employment has also shown an increase in  employee injuries.  

If you are an employer who has an injured worker with an active workers’ compensation claim, then there is a good chance that you will be scheduled for an Industrial Commission (IC) hearing at some point in time.

Various types of machines pose hazards to employees that can result in injuries that include crushing, entrapment,  amputations, and even death. These hazardous areas, known as danger zones, are machine parts that must be  guarded to protect employees from injury.

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.