New Ohio BWC Program to Help Small Businesses
"Even small employers can save money and improve workplace safety by better understanding Ohio's workers' compensation system," said Kevin Abrams, COO of the bureau. "PAR offers a flexible alternative for smaller employers to improve safety and become more engaged in their risk management programs."
Ohio small employers have a new option for lowering their workers' compensation premiums and increasing workers' health and safety.They can now sign up for the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation's new Policy Activity Rebate program.
"Even small employers can save money and improve workplace safety by better understanding Ohio's workers' compensation system," said Kevin Abrams, COO of the bureau. "PAR offers a flexible alternative for smaller employers to improve safety and become more engaged in their risk management programs."
Employers in the program earn credits for completing activities designed to improve workplace safety practices and encourage attentive management of their workers' comp policies. They receive a 50 percent premium rebate, up to $2,000; to be eligible for the rebate, they must select from among 33 available activities and earn 11 credits during the policy year that begins July 1.
The activities cover a variety of options, including attending safety training, bringing an employee back to work on light/modified duty, and enrolling employees in BWC's Better You, Better Ohio! wellness program.
Public and private employers of any size can participate but must have an Experience Modifier of at least 1.0. Public employers can begin signing up Dec. 1.
Beginning July 1, 2018, employers enrolled in the program can sign up for activities and track their progress toward the required 11 credits. The activities include:
- Complete any online class on BWC's website.
- Share an injured worker success story with BWC communications.
- Bring an IW back to work on light/modified duty during the current policy year.
- Attend an Industrial Commission or Handicap Percentage Reimbursement hearing.
- Create a post-injury packet for injured workers.
- Develop or show proof of a transitional work plan.
- Attend any training class in person through the Division of Safety & Hygiene.
- Have two or more employees enrolled in Better You, Better Ohio!Conduct drug/alcohol testing.
- Have a wellness program.
- Attend the Ohio Safety Congress & Expo.
- Create an accident analysis/reporting policy.
- Attend a minimum two-hour safety/health/wellness training provided by an external, non-BWC source.
- Create a safety & health committee.
- Host a safety lunch for your employees.
- Purchase personal protective equipment or any safety equipment outside of BWC's safety grant program.Use an external safety service to meet OSHA or MSHA requirements.
- Get up to four credits for watching specific BWC videos on demand.