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Heat-Related Illness Prevention

OSHA has established a National Emphasis Program (NEP) on heat-related illness prevention, which addresses heat-related hazards in the workplace. They believe this NEP (which they’re working to make a permanent standard) is necessary because of the statistics surrounding heat-related illnesses and injuries. There are over 3,500 work-related heat illness cases reported annually, with 43 of them being fatalities (BLS average 2017-2021).

The program went into effect on April 8, 2022, and is a nationwide enforcement initiative allowing OSHA to proactively inspect workplaces for heat-related hazards across general industry, maritime, construction, and agriculture operations. It applies not only to employers who operate outdoors (e.g., construction, farming, landscaping), but to indoor operations as well (e.g., manufacturing, warehousing, transportation, etc.). In fact, the list of targeted industries includes over 70 NAICS codes.

The NEP emphasizes the importance of employers providing access to water, rest, and shade (or escape from heat sources), as well as adequate training and acclimatization schedules for new and returning employees. The program also establishes “heat priority days” when the heat index is expected to be 80°F or higher, prompting OSHA inspections within certain industries.

The first step toward compliance is a multi-faceted assessment of your operations and environment to determine risk levels. This includes factors like ambient temperature and humidity, air movement, workload and metabolic heat generation, clothing and PPE, and other variables that influence heat stress. The results will determine the type and degree of prevention measures that must be implemented to ensure an effective heat illness program.

As with any safety topic, it's not just about avoiding penalties, but about providing a safe and healthy environment for your workforce. Employers who develop a comprehensive heat illness prevention strategy not only comply with OSHA's regulations but also demonstrate a commitment to their employees’ well-being.

Please reach out to our safety team if you need assistance with a risk assessment, developing prevention strategies, training, or creating your entire program. 440.249.5203

Most Recent

BWC's Risk Management Essentials Program

Posted By Brandy King
April 25, 2025 Category: General

Ohio BWC recently announced a new rebate program called Risk Management Essentials (RME). If your company enrolls and meets the requirements, this program could help your business earn additional premium savings of 5% of your annual premium, up to a maximum of $25,000. Both private and public employers who are NOT enrolled in Group Rating or Group Retro can participate in the RME. The policyholder must complete the existing requirements of BWC’s Safety Council Program (attending at least 10 of 12 meetings during the policy year), plus an additional six hours of safety and claims management education provided by the program sponsor. Spooner plans on sponsoring this pilot program so we can offer another option to our clients who don’t qualify for group savings programs. The training must be conducted in-person or virtually in real-time. Other training sessions, like pre-recorded webinars or videos, will not qualify for program credit. In addition, your policy must be in good standing – no lapses over 40 days, current on premium payments, and the most recent True Up completed (and any associated balance paid). Employers will enroll in RME via their third-party administrator, who then submit the applications to BWC by the last business day in May. If you’re a Spooner Inc. client, we’ll notify you if this program could be beneficial for your company in the upcoming 2025 policy year. In the meantime, feel free to reach out to your Client Serv

2025 MCO Open Enrollment is Approaching!

Posted By Brandy King
April 23, 2025 Category: Mco, Ohio Bwc, Mco Open Enrollment, Managed Care Organization, 2025 Open Enrollment

MCO Open Enrollment will take place Monday, April 28 Friday, May 23, 2025. The opportunity for employers to choose their managed care organization (MCO) for Ohio Workers’ Comp comes only every two years, so employers will not have the opportunity again until 2027. Don’t miss out if you want to make a change! We know May is “busy season” for several industries with the weather warming up, but if you’re anything less than pleased with your MCO – it’s worth making time to take a few meetings and consider your options. With all of the mergers and acquisitions in the Ohio MCO marketplace over the last several years, there are now only nine companies to choose from. Since MCOs aren’t paid directly by employers, there are often low expectations set because no “value” is assigned. It’s true that MCOs are paid by Ohio BWC, but they are paid with a portion of employer premium dollars. Mismanaged claims can also cost you in the long run when those costs enter the experience and impact your premiums. If you want to stay with your current MCO, there is nothing you need to do. We suggest being very cautious of what you sign or agree to during this time period, as some sales tactics can be misleading. You can view BWC’s 2025 MCO Report Card here, and learn more about how to interpret the results

Important BWC Dates to Remember

Posted By Brandy King
February 19, 2025 Category: Ohio Bwc, Ohio Safety Congress, Self Insured Assessment, Dfsp, Drug Free Safety Program, Cirp, Claim Impact Reduction, One Claim Program

Employers participating in Ohio BWC’s Drug-Free Safety Program (Basic or Advanced) or a Comparable Program will need to submit their required reports by March 31. The report and instructions for Basic and Advanced participants can be found online here, and the report and instructions for Comparable-Level participants can be found online here. Your report also serves as an application for the next program year. If you have additional questions or concerns about this reporting, or need a resource for training, please reach out to your Client Services Manager at Spooner Inc., or email clientservices@spoonerinc.net. If your policy is enrolled in the Claim Impact Reduction Program (CIRP, formerly known as the One Claim Program), you will need to complete the required training by March 31. A representative from your company must attend a half day class or three hour online class offered by BWC’s Division of Safety & Hygiene. This PDF has additional details about CIRP that first-year participants may find helpful. For self-insured employers, annual self-insured assessments are due February 28th. Ohio Safety Congress registration recently opened as well. This three day educational event is free to attend for employers with an active Ohio BWC policy. The Expo Marketplace will be open Wednesday and Thursday, and we encourage you to come visit us in booth 129! You can register for Ohio Safety Congress

Blog

Heat-Related Illness Prevention

BWC's Risk Management Essentials Program

2025 MCO Open Enrollment is Approaching!

Important BWC Dates to Remember

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