Four Ohio employers finalists for Safety Innovation Awards The Ohio Safety Congress & Expo will again feature the Safety Innovation Awards that recognize unique innovations developed by Ohio employers to reduce injuries and illnesses to their employees. We are pleased to announce the following employers as the four finalists: - MPW Industrial Services (Hebron)
- Navistar (Springfield)
- Ramco Electric Motors (Greenville)
- Terracon Consultants Inc (Cincinnati)
The four finalists presented their innovations to a three-judge panel and the public at OSC18 March 7-9 in Columbus. Read more about the awards at bwc.ohio.gov. New wellness program now available BWC rolled out a new, free wellness program on Feb. 1 called Better You, Better Ohio! The program offers a variety of resources to help workers track their diet, quit smoking, get in shape and manage chronic diseases, such as obesity and diabetes. “We want to create a culture of safety in Ohio and having a healthy workforce is an important factor in that effort,” said BWC Administrator/CEO Sarah Morrison. “Healthy workers are less likely to be injured on the job, and when they are injured they tend to recover more quickly and fully than workers with existing health challenges.” The health and safety component to BWC’s Third Billion Back rebate last year, Better You, Better Ohio! targets workers at small Ohio employers (50 or fewer workers) in industries that experience higher injury rates on average than others.* Employees approved through a registration process will receive a $75 gift card after undergoing a health risk assessment and biometric screening. Participants will then have access to digital coaching, educational materials, wellness tracking tools, a mobile app and other resources. “Enrollment is a simple, paperless process, and there is no charge to employers or employees,” Morrison continued. “All we’re asking of employers is to help spread the word. We know a healthy workforce contributes to a healthy business, so if we can create that environment across this state, Ohio will be better for it.” For more on Better You, Better Ohio!, click here. *Agriculture; automotive repair and service; construction; firefighters; health care; manufacturing; police and public safety; public employers; restaurant and food service; transportation and trucking; trash collection, wholesale and retail BWC recommends double-digit rate reduction for private employers BWC asked its board of directors last month to reduce private employer premium rates by 12 percent beginning July 1. “Ohio is in an outstanding position as the cost of workers’ comp coverage continues to fall, thanks to fewer workplace injury claims and slow-to-moderate growth in medical inflation,” said BWC Administrator/CEO Sarah Morrison. “We know the less employers spend on premiums, the more they can invest in their communities and in safer work environments for their employees. And when that happens, we all benefit.” If approved, the reduction would save private employers $163.5 million over this year’s premiums, which are already at their lowest rates in at least 40 years. Private employer rates have decreased or remained unchanged every year since 2007. The actual premium paid by individual private employers depends on a number of factors, including the expected future claims costs in their industry, their company’s recent claims history, and their participation in various BWC discount programs. We’ll have more in next month’s eNews following the board’s Feb. 23 vote on the proposal. | 
