Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Comp Expands Safety Training Options

The Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) Board of Directors gave employers participating in the Group Experience and Group Retrospective Rating programs more options for improving workplace safety. The change allows employers who’ve had a workplace injury to satisfy some safety training requirements by completing an accident analysis and related safety training.

“By better understanding the circumstances that led to an accident, an employer is better able to take appropriate action to prevent similar injuries in the future,” said BWC Administrator/CEO Steve Buehrer. “The online analysis and training will guide employers in conducting a post-accident assessment so they can quickly and thoroughly respond to injuries. BWC can then use the data to better identify statewide trends and design loss prevention programs that meet the needs of Ohio employers.”

Currently group employers who experience a claim are required to take two hours of safety training. The change gives employers the option to instead complete an online accident analysis form and BWC’s associated online safety class. The accident analysis and class will help employers identify injury trends and determine the root cause of the accident to address safety issues and prevent future injuries. Employers continue to have the option to attend the existing two-hour training.

Training requirements have also been modified for employers that sustain claims outside of the green year. These employers are no longer subject to the safety training or accident analysis. The green year is the period in which a claim exists prior to entering the employer’s experience.

Group rating sponsors and third party administrators will report to BWC the employers that completed the accident analysis form and class. BWC will use that information to determine if the training and form submission are meeting the objectives of reducing the frequency and severity of claims among the members of group.

The next meeting of the BWC Board of Directors is scheduled for Thursday, December 20, 2012.

Source: Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation