Below is the December Issue of Safety at a Glance by Mr. Gary Hanson, President of American Safety & Health Management Consultants, Inc.

It is that time of year again…..cold weather is upon us! Unfortunately, the cold weather brings hazardous conditions such as snow, ice, reduced visibility, and slippery roads. Whether you’re going to work, heading to the store or visiting family, it is important to stay focused on the road conditions before and during your drive.

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 Safety Services Education and Training Services Center offers a wide variety of continuing education courses that emphasize the practical application of safety principles, development of a safety culture, current and proposed standards for regulatory compliance, risk reduction, and BWC programs.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recently announced it will now be requiring certain  employers to submit information from their OSHA 301 - Injury and Illness Incident Report forms on an annual  basis.

The Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) has eliminated their Destination Excellence Program and  replaced it with the Bonus & Rebates Program. With this change, BWC has eliminated three programs that were  offered under Destination Excellence (now Bonus & Rebates Program) and will maintain four of the programs.

The Control of Hazardous Energy, also known as Lockout/Tagout (LO/TO), is an OSHA regulation designed to  prevent unexpected equipment startup or release of hazardous energy which could result in employee injuries.

Enroll now!

Sedgwick has mailed Group Rating and Group Retrospective Rating enrollment and reenrollment materials to qualifying employers. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to save significantly on your workers’ compensation premium.

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.

The Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) recently updated rule 4123-17-58 for their Drug Free Safety Program and Comparable program. The new rule became effective July 1, 2023. BWC emailed notifications to program participants in May regarding the following rule changes:

In Ohio, we are lucky enough to see the beauty of the four seasons.  Snowfall in the winter, blossoms and flowers in the spring, warmth in the summer and changing of the leaves in the fall.  But from time to time these seasons can be extreme and we must be prepared to protect ourselves and our employees from these extreme changes.  With summer having begun, it is imperative to share with employees the steps to prepare for heat conditions.     

Attention Employers participating in the BWC’s Drug Free Safety Program: To ensure compliance with the Ohio Administrative Code 4123-17-58, we will be implementing a few changes to the program requirements for the 2023 program year.

On May 1, 2023, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced it began a National Emphasis Program (NEP) designed to prevent falls

Employers must pay premiums timely to the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) to receive and maintain workers' compensation coverage.

Summertime is a wonderful time to enjoy the outdoors. However, employees required to work in areas where there may be excessive heat are subject to a number of heat related illnesses up to and including heat stroke.

To ensure compliance with the Ohio Administrative Code 4123-17-58, the BWC will be implementing a few changes to the program requirements for the 2023 program year.

Salary continuation is a cost savings tool available to Ohio employers. When an injured worker misses eight or  more days due to the allowed conditions in the claim, the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation will pay temporary  total compensation to replace lost wages. As the employer you have the option of offering salary continuation in  lieu of temporary total compensation. By paying wages directly to the injured worker you are preventing the cost  affiliated with temporary total, as well as reserves from being added to the claim. This can have a positive impact  on your annual BWC premiums.

Electricity sure has made life easier for us over the years. From simply lighting a room to cooking meals to heating  our homes even to powering our cars. As great as it is to have electricity in our lives it can be dangerous. Not only  can it cause burns to the body or electrocution it can sometimes result in death if we are not careful. In this month’s article we are going to talk about potential electrical hazards in the workplace and how we can  identify and avoid dangerous situations. Below is a list of potential electrical hazards you may find in the  workplace. If you come across any of these, be sure to report them to management.  

The Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) offers the Handicap Reimbursement Program to potentially off set claim costs and encourage employers to hire and retain employees with a handicapped condition. Ohio Revised  Code 4123.343 recognizes 26 conditions / disabilities in which, under some circumstances, the employer may be  eligible for reimbursement of partial claim costs. The handicap percentage awarded by BWC will reduce claim  costs without reducing the benefits to the injured worker. The reduced claim costs can result in sizable premium  reductions.  

Here we are in 2023 and the first day of spring has come and gone. This is a great time for us all to leave the cold weather behind and look forward to warmer weather. The hazards we face in the winter may be different than the hazards we face in the spring. If your employees are working outside this spring, they should be made aware of those dangers. Below is a list of work your employees may be performing outdoors, the hazards they may face, and tips on staying safe.