One of the new programs from the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation to focus on safety and improving care for injured workers is the Industry-Specific Safety Program. It is designed to encourage Ohio’s employers to use the many safety services and programs available through the Division of Safety & Hygiene (DSH).
“We designed the program to raise awareness among employers and workers through the completion of an online safety assessment; provide employers with year-round training and education opportunities; and provide tailored consultations that address safety issues in the workplace,” says. Barbara Jacobs, director of the MCO Business and Reporting Unit of the Ohio BWC.
Participation requirements
To receive the 3-percent, industry-specific safety rebate, employers commit to completing the following activities during their program year (private employers between July 1 and June 30; public employers between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31):
- Completion of an online safety management self-assessment within the first 30 days of the policy year.
- Participation in loss-prevention activities based on payroll as listed below:
- Industry-specific safety classes offered by DSH.
- On-site safety consulting by DSH experts.
- Annual Ohio Safety Congress & Expo.
The total payroll that policyholders report each policy year will determine whether they are required to complete one, two or three loss prevention activities as follows:
- Reported payroll less than or equal to $100,000 in the initial eligibility determination year = one loss-prevention activity;
- Reported payroll more than $100,000 and up to $300,000 in the initial eligibility determination year = any two loss-prevention activities;
- Reported payroll more than $300,000 in the initial eligibility determination year = any three loss-prevention activities.
Public employers (state and local government agencies): The annual application deadline for the Industry-Specific Safety Program for the coming year is the last business day in November.
Private employers: The annual application deadline for the coming year is the last business day in May. Remember, the ISSP year ends on June 30. Private employers in the program must complete all required loss-prevention activities no later than June 30.
Loss prevention activities
Industry-specific safety classes offered by DSH
The DSH training center offers continuing education courses on occupational safety and health topics. Courses emphasize the practical application of safety principles, development of a safety culture, current and proposed standards for regulatory compliance and risk programs. The Ohio BWC offers classes at 11 training sites in Ohio. To identify safety-training courses that meet program requirements, view this two-page guide: http://1.usa.gov/1TN4x63. For course descriptions, see this list: http://1.usa.gov/1RPurF4.
Employers with payroll of $100,000 or less must complete at least one of the following:
- Three hours of online classes;
- Any one-half day industry-specific class;
- Any full-day industry-specific class.
Employers with payroll more than $100,000 and up to $300,000 must attend*:
- A half-day industry-specific class; or
- A full-day industry specific class.
Employers with payroll more than $300,000 must attend*:
- Two one-half day industry-specific classes; or
- One industry-specific full-day class.
* Online classes are not available to meet this activity credit.
Attendance at an industry-specific class can result in a maximum of one loss prevention activity credit, no matter how many employer representatives are in attendance.
On-site safety consulting by DSH experts
The Ohio BWC’s safety specialists will visit your workplace to provide an assessment, training and/or safety program development advice to maintain a safer workplace. Safety consultants, industrial hygienists and ergonomists are available in each of our customer service offices to provide on-site consultation to earn a loss prevention activity.
Request safety consulting services by visiting this site: http://1.usa.gov/1Yq4xYR.
Based on an employer’s unique needs, an Ohio BWC consultant will perform one of the following on-site consultation activities for loss prevention activity credit:
- Company specific safety training;
- Customer safety team development;
- Ergonomics assessment;
- Industrial hygiene assessment;
- Safety hazard assessment for construction;
- Safety hazard assessment for general industry;
- Safety management process evaluation;
- Safety program/process development.
- Following the on-site consultation, the employer must complete an online on-site consultation survey to earn the loss prevention activity credit.
The Ohio Safety Congress & Expo
This annual event features more than 150 one-hour educational sessions, one-half day and full-day workshops, general sessions and more than 200 exhibitors displaying their occupational safety and health products and services.
- The Ohio BWC encourages employers enrolled in the ISSP to register in advance.
- You are required to attend at least three, one-hour sessions, a one-half day or a full-day workshop for loss prevention activity credit.
Attendance at the Ohio Safety Congress & Expo can earn you a maximum of one loss prevention activity credit, no matter how many days or how many employer representatives attend. Enrolled employers should follow instructions provided at the event to document their attendance.
