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.

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.