(source: www.bwc.ohio.gov)

On Aug. 13, 2014, Gov. John R. Kasich and BWC Administrator/CEO Steve Buehrer announced a $1 billion rebate to Ohio's private employers and public employer taxing districts, as well as a major new investment in worker safety research and training. (Please see the Additional resources to the right for more detailed information).

Dubbed Another Billion Back, the rebate comes on the heels of last year's $1 billion rebate for Ohio employers. Both rebates were made possible by strong investment returns in the workers' compensation fund. The proposal:

• Provides a one-time rebate of $1 billion for private employers and public employer taxing districts;
• Increases BWC’s commitment to safety by up to $35 million over the next two years;
• Creates several new safety initiatives that use BWC’s occupational health and safety expertise to create innovative solutions for improving the safety, health and wellness of Ohio’s workforce.

If approved by the BWC Board of Directors, the rebate would equal 60 percent of the employer’s annual premium, and we will distribute checks beginning in October. Private employers and public employer taxing districts that pay premium into the State Insurance Fund and have active, up-to-date policies will be eligible for the rebate.

Focusing on safety
Another Billion Back also seeks to build on last year's $15 million investment in safety intervention grants with several initiatives that will ultimately enhance the safety, health and wellness of Ohio's workforce. Additionally, special safety training is proposed to reduce injuries among firefighters, whom frequently have very high workers’ compensation rates due to the dangerous and risky nature of their work.

Additionally, we are embarking on a safety campaign themed Better Business Starts with Safety, Safety Starts at BWC to reach Ohio employers and encourage them to take advantage of our safety services before experiencing a workplace injury or illness. A new microsite allows employers to compare injury rates and costs within and across industry sectors. It also links employers directly to our safety consultants, who can survey their workplace and advise them on preventing workplace injuries and illnesses.

Continuing positive trends
Another Billion Back is the latest example of our work over the last four years to be a better partner in improving Ohio’s business environment and helping encourage the state's economic revival. Sound financial and operational management has also allowed us to:

• Reduce average base rates for Ohio's private employers, bringing combined four-year collections down $409 million;
• Reduce average rates for public employers by an estimated $70 million, placing them at their lowest levels in at least 30 years;
• Commit $1.2 billion in transition credits to Ohio employers as part of the conversion to prospective billing;
• Expand safety funding, which resulted in allowed claims dropping below 100,000 for the first time.

Get the latest information about Another Billion Back and other workers' compensation updates by following BWC on Twitter.

July 2014

RE: Group-Rating Safety Accountability

Dear Employer:

Each year Ohio employers have the opportunity to participate in BWC’s Group-Experience-Rating Program or Group-Retrospective-Rating Program. While these programs are not required, they do provide you with an opportunity to significantly reduce your workers’ compensation premiums, while increasing your awareness of safety and risk-management strategies.

Workplace safety is an important component of these programs. To succeed in accident prevention, we encourage you to use the many resources available to you. We believe a group-rating program is a partnership that includes you and your employees, your sponsoring organization or third-party administrator (TPA) and BWC. Each has specific roles and responsibilities, all designed to assist in preventing workplace accidents. This letter outlines the safety services expectations you should have as an employer enrolled in a group-rating program.

The employer will:

·         Maintain a safe workplace;
·         Attend safety training to enhance workplace safety;
·         Use BWC’s safety services as needed;
·         Fulfill the required two-hour training requirement and provide proof of attendance to sponsor for claim(s) occurring within the last year.

The certified primary and affiliated sponsoring organizations will:

·         Sponsor eight hours of safety training (this may be done at one time or may be provided incrementally as long as the total is at least eight hours);
·         Provide information regarding safety resources to group members;
·         Possibly assist an employer in achieving its safety needs;
·         Manage employer fulfillment of the two-hour training requirement, where applicable;
·         Publish this letter to group members.

The TPA may:

·         Assist sponsoring organizations with fulfilling the group-rating safety requirements;
·         Assist an employer with its safety needs;
·         Work in conjunction with sponsors to develop safety training and deliver safety resources;
·         Provide resources for claims handling.

BWC will:

·         Monitor all group-rating safety activities to confirm requirements are met;
·         Remain in communication with sponsoring organizations to provide recommendations for fulfilling safety requirements;
·         Provide safety training through Ohio’s Center for Occupational Safety & Health;
·         Offer on-site safety consultation (hazard assessments, air and noise monitoring, ergonomics evaluation, training) by a BWC safety professional;
·         Offer publications and videos for safety program support;
·         Conduct employer visits to confirm the employer is meeting group-rating requirements, when appropriate.

The goal of this collaborative effort is to make sure all your safety needs are met. Using these resources will assist you in preventing accidents, reducing claims costs and achieving the highest discounts possible. 

BWC: http://www.ohiobwc.com/employer/services/safetyhygiene.asp, groupratingsafety@bwc.state.oh.us

Applications accepted through July 15

BWC is accepting proposals for educational presentations for the 2015 Ohio Safety Congress & Expo (OSC15). This annual event will take place March 31 to April 2, 2015, at the Greater Columbus Convention Center. OSC15 features more than 170 educational presentations which offer continuing education credits for a variety of professions. You can be considered for a presentation that lasts one hour or six hours. The event draws more than 6,000 Ohio business and government representatives and employees.

We are particularly interested in topics which apply to an intermediate or advanced level audience.

Applicants will be notified by October 15th of their submission status. Below is a timeline of the process.

May 19 to July 15: Call for Presentation applications accepted
July 15 to August 31: Program committees review applications
September 1 to 30: Program committees invite applicants to OSC15
October 1 to 15: BWC notifies applicants not selected

Click here to start the application.

Other Safety Resources: (click each title to view article)

Safe Use of Fire Extinguishers
Regular Safety Communication
Implementing a Culture Based Safety Program
Full GHS Document
Changes in the Hazard Communication Standard 1 13
OSHA Recordkeeping changes Quarterly 
Conducting Effective Ongoing Safety Training
Safety - Have To vs Want To

10-Step Business Plan for Safety:
With BWC's 10-Step Business Plan for Safety employers can focus on implementing a more effective safety plan one step at a time as opposed to getting lost in the "where to start" phase of the big picture.  While some of the BWC programs require employers to complete the 10-Step Business Plan for Safety, it can also be a good resource for companies looking to implement a new safety program or simply improve an old one.  Please watch our monthly newsletters/website each month, as we will be highlighting each step.  Click here to learn more about the BWC’s 10-Step Plan for Safety

BWC is pleased to announce a “just-in-time” new online training to meet OSHA’s Hazard Communication 2012 GHS training requirement.  OSHA’s deadline for this training is December 1. 

BWC used the course for its own employee training and adapted it for external employers. 

Attached is the flyer detailing learning outcomes and the enrollment steps to take this simple and easy 30 minute HazCom 2012 Basics training.