BWC Awards More Than $71,000 in December to Support Workplace Safety

The Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) awarded four safety intervention grants totaling more than $71,000 in December. BWC designed the Safety Intervention Grant Program to assist Ohio employers in reducing illnesses and injuries and to create a partnership with them to establish best practices for accident and injury prevention.

“Our December grant recipients are working to head off injuries caused by overexertion and repetitive motion, which can both contribute to long term health problems,” said BWC Administrator/CEO Stephen Buehrer. “These employers recognized the dangers and are taking the appropriate action to improve working conditions for their employees.”

Ohio private and public employers are eligible for the grants, which include a 2-to-1 matching amount up to a maximum of $40,000 for a total of $60,000 — $20,000 from the employer and $40,000 from BWC. Quarterly data reports and follow-up case studies help BWC determine the effectiveness of employers’ safety interventions and establish best practices.

Below are December’s grant recipients.

The Perry Township maintenance department is responsible for maintaining the township’s vehicle fleet. BWC awarded $4,239 to purchase a tire changer to reduce the risk of injury related to manual material handling, forceful exertions and awkward postures.

BWC awarded $5,228 to purchase a ladder storage compartment for a fire truck to reduce the risk of injury related to manual material handling, forceful exertions, awkward postures and sprains/strains.

BWC awarded the district $22,273 to purchase automatic air doors and loading brakes for 13 school buses to reduce the risk of musculoskeletal disorders resulting from repetitive motion by the bus drivers.

Lott Industries, Inc. provides recycling services to various organizations in the Toledo area.

BWC awarded $40,000 to purchase a granulator to reduce the risk of injury related to manual material handling; forceful exertions; sprains and strains; slips, trips and falls; and cuts or lacerations.