Ohio's injury rates, claims continue to fall

Results from a national study show nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses in Ohio took a 9 percent tumble last year and fell well below the national average for the fourth consecutive year. Ohio experienced 2.7 injuries per 100 full-time employees in 2016, bettering the national average of 3.2.

“The commitment of Ohio workers and employers to safety is impressive and clearly growing, making our state a leader in tackling workplace injuries and illnesses,” said BWC Administrator/CEO Sarah Morrison.

The study showed an injury rate among Ohio private employers at 2.7 per 100 workers, below the national average of 2.9.  Rates for public employers were 3.1 injuries per 100 workers, compared to a national average of 4.7.  

The results coincide with an overall drop in workplace injury claims in the BWC system. There were 87,883 allowed claims for Ohio employers insured by BWC in 2016, a 16.8 percent drop from 2010. This is the lowest number of claims dating back to at least 1997, when there were more than 277,000 claims.

We attribute the declines to many factors, including more employers putting safety education and resources to work. From 2010 through 2015, we saw a 71 percent increase in the number of employers using BWC’s safety programs and services.  

Are you taking full advantage of the safety resources available through our Division of Safety & Hygiene?

New website coming in 2018

BWC will launch a new website in 2018.

For the better part of a year, we have been working with internal staff, customers and outside consultants to better understand how our customers want to use our website and how to best create a design to meet those expectations. The result is a site that provides a better customer experience through better design, easier navigation and more relevant content.

The first phase, which is expected go live in early 2018, will focus on those areas you see prior to logging in. Content and services that exist after logging in will be the focus later in the year.

While the design change may be most apparent, there are other changes. Content will be timelier, much shorter and easier to read. This lets you scan a page, understand what it’s for and move quickly to conduct your business online. The new site will also better meet guidelines for accessibility with color schemes that improve readability, and we'll have fewer .pdfs, which interfere with software for the visually impaired.

Because the design and content are completely new, you will need to familiarize yourself with the new site. Also, while the main site will remain, many individual pages will go away, replaced by new content. This means any bookmarks or favorites you have saved will no longer work.

Keep an eye on future editions of BWC eNews and on our current website over the next few months for more information on the new site.

Take Charge Ohio

BWC is one of several state agencies committed to addressing the epidemic of pain medication misuse and abuse. We’ve taken several steps to rein in excessive opioid prescriptions and help providers, employers and injured workers better understand the potential risks of pain medications.

We’re now proud supporters of Take Charge Ohio, a new initiative aimed at raising awareness among health care providers, patients and the general public about safe pain management and medication use.

The Take Charge Ohio website is a valuable resource for information about the proper use of pain medication, non-opioid pain management options, preventing misuse, as well as treatment and recovery options for dependence and abuse. Please take a moment to review these educational materials and share them with your colleagues, family and friends.

At BWC, we’re focused on protecting the health and safety of Ohio’s injured workers by balancing appropriate care with the dangers of pain medications. Increasing understanding of these medications will benefit all Ohioans seeking the best possible medical treatment without facing the consequences of dependence or addiction.

New program for employers that work with the developmentally disabled

BWC is now accepting applications for a new program that assists private and public companies that work with disabled children and adults.

The Employers Working with Persons with Developmental Disabilities Grant Program provides these employers with dollars to purchase training and/or equipment to reduce injuries or illnesses. Ohioans who work in this area experience injury rates that exceed those of construction workers and workers in most manufacturing operations.

Program details and application are available at bwc.ohio.gov. 

BWC eBriefs

Don’t miss Ohio’s premier workplace health & safety event

Save the date for the Ohio Safety Congress & Expo, BWC's annual occupational safety, health and workers’ compensation event. Safety Congress will be March 7-9, 2018, at the Greater Columbus Convention Center.

The Workers’ Compensation Medical & Health Symposium for healthcare providers and office staff members will also run March 8 and 9 at the Greater Columbus Convention Center.

For more information on both events, visit bwc.ohio.gov. Interested in exhibit space at either event? Just click on “EXHIBIT” for details.

Safety Update

Winter holiday safety highlights the December Safety Update, BWC’s monthly roundup of the latest news in occupational safety and health.

From the BWC Blog

Slipping in a winter wonderland? Not if you take these steps first, says BWC Industrial Safety Consultant Cari Gray.

Employer webinar Dec. 28

Join us Thursday, Dec. 28 at 11:30 a.m. for our next employer webinar. Topics will include the Enhanced Care Program, the new lumbar fusion rule, rating plans for the 2018 policy year, upcoming deadlines for public employers, and our monthly safety tip. Register to attend online here, or sign up here if you prefer to attend in person at a claims office.

The webinar will be recorded and available for future viewing at bwc.ohio.gov.