With our own workers’ compensation third-party administration company — OMA Workers’ Compensation Services — no association is better equipped in the areas of safety and workers’ comp management.
We keep members apprised of OSHA updates; changes in the regulatory environment; updates from the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation and Industrial Commission; and content applicable to claims management. We also publish safety training opportunities from a variety of sources, including the OMA’s own monthly safety webinars.
This is another important service in the OMA’s efforts to protect and grow Ohio manufacturing!
Ohio Speaker of the House Matt Huffman this week outlined his plan to address Delta-8, TCH products, and recreational marijuana, “…in one bill.”
Huffman floated the idea to treat these products similarly to alcohol.
“Like many states, the state of Ohio is in charge of certain products that are above a certain alcohol level,” Huffman said. “I think the THC products need to be treated similarly.” 1/14/2024
As state legislators were sworn into office this week in Columbus, leadership in both chambers outlined their top priorities, including reforms to Ohio’s recreational marijuana laws.
“Many of us realized and believe that there were some fundamental flaws in the initiative,” said Speaker of the House Matt Huffman late last year, prior to his election as Speaker.
Governor Mike DeWine also signaled his support and urgency for lawmakers to ban or greatly regulate synthetic hemp products like Delta-8.
“There’s no reason that it shouldn’t be abolished,” DeWine said. “There’s no reason, at the very least, that it shouldn’t be sold in the same way – with the same requirements, regulations, and safeguards – as we’re selling marijuana today.” 1/9/2024
A recent report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) found that 391 workplace fatalities took place in 2023, down slightly from 404 in 2022.
BLS’ data also found 355,800 non-fatal injuries and illnesses last year, down 10% from 2022.
While the downward trend is encouraging, OMA Connections Partner FisherPhillips has outlined ten recommendations based on the BLS data that manufacturers can follow to prevent workplace injuries and fatalities at the workplace. 1/9/2024
For the very first time, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has publicized comprehensive details on the nearly 900,000 reported workplace injuries and illnesses recorded by the agency in 2023.
This significant increase in transparency has critical implications for employers. OMA Connections Partner Fisher Phillips breaks down the key takeaways, why this matters, and how employers can respond. 12/12/2024
With the 2025 Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) deadlines fast approaching, OMA Connections Partner BSI has created a comprehensive roadmap with essential 4-5 months, 3 months, 2 months, and 1-month checkpoints to keep you prepared every step of the way. 12/13/2024
OSHA Instructors will soon be using smart glasses powered by AI that have the capacity for real-time documentation, augmented reality, and instant communication with outside personnel. The announcement last week is an expansion of the program after a two-year trial and training period.
This announcement greatly impacts the capability OSHA inspectors have during worksite walkthroughs and may give them the opportunity to discretely record, stream, or upload interactions directly to superiors. OMA Connections Partner FisherPhillips has created a breakdown of the potential implications, concerns, and what employers can do to prepare for this technology to roll out. 12/10/2024
Last week, the Ohio Supreme Court ruled that a former assistant manager at AutoZone Stores Inc. isn’t entitled to temporary-total-disability compensation after being fired for unrelated reasons before the temporary-total-disability (TTD) claim was filed, OMA Connections Partner Roetzel & Andress reports.
What does this mean for employers? If an employee is not working or has suffered a wage loss as the direct result of reasons unrelated to the allowed injury or occupational disease, the employee is not eligible to receive compensation under this section. 11/24/2024
This week, the OMA submitted written testimony to the Senate General Government Committee in support of Senate Bill 326, sponsored by Senator Steve Huffman. The bill seeks to ban the sale of intoxicating hemp products, including those containing delta-8 THC.
The OMA’s testimony highlighted the importance of the bill to protect workplace safety, provide regulatory clarity for manufacturers, and enhance the enforceability of drug-free workplace policies. 11/18/2024
On Nov. 14, the Tenth District Court of Appeals ruled that the Ohio Supreme Court’s Mar. 2024 “Dillion” decision does not apply retroactively, only applying to cases decided after its Mar. 5, 2024, ruling.
In its decision, the appeals court stated that retroactive application would cause confusion and undermine injured workers’ reliance on longstanding legal precedent. The court also noted that applying Dillon retroactively would unfairly impact workers whose claims were resolved decades earlier under previous law. Additionally, the court emphasized that such retroactivity would have far-reaching consequences for workers who had relied on compensation rules in place for 26 years. 11/18/2024
As the second Trump Administration begins to take shape, so do potential policy directions around workplace safety and OSHA.
Experts are predicting that OSHA’s recently published heat safety rule will likely be scrapped, although a rework and reintroduction is expected.
OMA Connections Partner Fisher Phillips has published their top four predictions for OSHA regulations and changes under a Trump administration. 11/14/2024
Roughly 98% of U.S. manufacturers less than 500 employees, many of which disproportionately bear the brunt of OSHA compliance fees.
Manufacturers pay $29,100 on average per employee to comply with federal regulations, nearly double the $12,800 per employee costs borne by all firms as a whole, according to the National Association of Manufacturers. 10/24/2024
Employers who participated in the Group Retro Program in 2020 (7/1/20-6/30/21), 2021 (7/1/21-6/30/22) and/or 2022 (7/1/22-6/30/23) should be receiving rebate checks this week thanks to the continued strong performance of the OMA Group Retro program.
Checks are mailed to the employers from the Ohio BWC, and most were issued on Oct. 29. Employers in the Group Retro program pay 100% of premiums to the BWC for the participation year and, beginning two years later, receive rebate checks based on the claims costs of all participating policies. Annual enrollment into the OMA Group Retro Program is taking place now with paperwork due by Jan. 22, 2025. Contact an Account Manager with questions and/or more information. 10/24/2024
Earlier this week, Governor Mike DeWine announced that Chief of Staff Stephanie McCloud will be stepping away from her position as chief of staff on November 15, 2024. Christine Morrison, who is currently deputy chief of staff, will take on the role following McCloud’s departure.
McCloud will return to her previous role as the Ohio Bureau of Workers Compensation (BWC) administrator. The OMA has enjoyed a longtime positive working relationship with McCloud and we will welcome her back to the BWC where she has provided strong leadership.10/11/2024
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) rules on machine guarding is facing a critical test after an employee was killed at a poultry processing facility in May of 2021.
Mar-Jac MS LLC, who owns the poultry processing facility in Hattiesburg, Miss. claims that OSHA standards are too broad and should allow for guards to be designed based on how workers operate machinery. OSHA had previously rejected the company’s petition to install a pull chord as a safety contingency.
The case began in the Fifth Circuit on Tuesday and is currently ongoing. 10/8/2024
A recent study by HeroWear revealed that workers using exosuits experienced zero back injuries across 280,000 hours of work in multiple distribution centers. This is a significant improvement from the previous rate of one injury every 27,000 hours, with the study also showing a 25% decrease in work-related discomfort and a 20% reduction in fatigue.
For manufacturers and distribution centers, this breakthrough technology offers a practical solution to reducing injury risks and improving worker well-being. The results suggest that exosuits could lead to safer, more efficient operations and higher worker satisfaction. 9/27/2024
Employers who wish to receive a discount (or rebate) on premiums are able to enroll in programs offered by the OMA. For 2025, we have increased savings options for our members thanks to a new partnership for program filing with Promedica and Sheakley. These savings are now available for review on our website as well as the enrollment paperwork, which must be received by Nov. 15th for the upfront discount in Group Experience Rating and Jan. 24th for the rebate program in Group Retrospective Rating.
Members are encouraged to review their options and discuss their offer with their Account Manager. 9/13/2024
The overturned Chevron doctrine has generally meant the federal courts no longer are required to defer to federal agency opinions when deciding appeals. However appeals of rulings by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) continue to enjoy deference because the NLRB is uniquely qualified to develop labor policy according to an analysis by OMA special labor counsel Matt Austin of Austin Labor Law.
Counsel highlights a recent clarification made by the U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals that has jurisdiction over NLRB appeals in Ohio and nearby states. Read the analysis. 9/13/2024
The U.S. Department of Labor is seeking public input on a proposed rule to address excessive workplace heat, aimed at protecting around 36 million indoor and outdoor workers. The rule would require employers to assess heat risks, create emergency plans, and train employees to recognize heat-related illnesses. If adopted, it would be the first major regulation on heat exposure. Public comments are open through December 30, 2024, and OSHA has already received over 226,000 submissions. 9/3/2024
Last week, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued its first proposed heat standard.
The largely anticipated rule aims to implement protections for roughly 36 million indoor and outdoor workers at risk of heat exhaustion, heat stroke, and fatalities associated with extreme heat.
The most broadly applicable requirement in the proposed rule requires subject employers (10 employees or more) to develop a site-specific Heat Injury and Illness Prevention Plan (HIIPP) to deal with heat risks. This plan must include:
The public now has 120 days to provide comments, meaning that a final rule will not be issued before the November general election. 9/3/2024
This week, the OMA held its Safety & Workers Compensation committee in Columbus, focused on a slew of state and federal regulation updates. Highlights included:
8/28/2024
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