BWC Awards Ohio More Than $9.4M in Safety Rebates

Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) Administrator/CEO Steve Buehrer announced thousands of Ohio employers are receiving more than $9.4 million in savings for their participation in one of 78 safety councils sponsored by BWC’s Division of Safety and Hygiene. Safety Councils are organized across the state by local businesses to inform participants of new safety standards and regulations, products and services, and provide a thorough knowledge of topics, including occupational safety and health, workers’ compensation and risk management education.

“Safety Councils are outstanding partners in BWC’s efforts to educate employers and workers about the importance of workplace safety,” said Buehrer. “We are pleased to award these employers that work hard to instill safety in their workplaces because they understand prevention is the single most important feature of an effective workplace safety program that keeps their workers safe on the job.”

Employers can earn a two-percent premium rebate for participating in a safety council, and an additional two-percent performance bonus for reducing either frequency or severity of workplace accidents by 10-percent, or with maintenance at zero. More than $5 million was awarded to 1,900 employers for their participation in a safety council in Fiscal Year 2013, and 2,600 employers received more than $4 million in performance bonuses.

Ohio employers can learn more about safety councils at bwc.ohio.gov. The councils are only one of many safety-focused services provided by BWC. To learn more about training, on-site consulting and other programs included as part of company’s workers’ compensation premiums, visit the safety section of bwc.ohio.gov.

Source: Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC)