Posted By Brandy King
October 28, 2024 Category: Ohio Bwc, Group Rating, Group Retro, Premium Savings

The clock is ticking on Group Rating enrollment for the 2025 Ohio BWC policy year! The deadline for Group Rating paperwork is November 15, 2024. The Group Rating program provides upfront premium savings for qualified Ohio employers. If you are a Spooner client and are eligible for Group Rating, you should have already received your program renewal from us. If you haven’t, please reach out to your client services manager. If you’d like to receive a quote for Group Rating from Spooner Inc., we can accept requests through Wednesday, November 6. You can complete an authorization online by visiting this page. Keep in mind that waiting this long for a quote means you’d have a maximum of one week to make your decision once you receive it. No one likes feeling rushed, so we’d suggest getting your request in as soon as possible! Not all Ohio employers are eligible for Group Rating, and may want to consider the Group Retrospective program enrolls through January 27th. Usually referred to as Group Retro, employers enrolled in this program will see savings down the road once actual vs. expected losses are measured. For businesses that aren’t eligible for Group Rating, and don’t have the flexibility of waiting to see savings, we’d also encourage you to explore SuretyHR, our self-insured PEO (professional employer organization). SuretyHR is an alternative to being insured by Ohio BWC for workers’ compensation. By creating a

Posted By Brandy King
October 28, 2024 Category: Osha, Top Ten, Most Cited, Violations, Fall Protection, Ppe, Respiratory Protection

OSHA released its annual Top 10 list of most cited workplace safety standards earlier this month at the National Safety Council Congress & Expo in Orlando, Florida. The violations making it into the top 10 are the same as last year, but their respective place in the top 10 may have changed. On the bright side, most categories saw fewer violations in the last year, compared to the prior year’s data. Respiratory protection and PPE were the two categories that saw increases, and these violations are avoidable with the right knowledge, programs, and enforcement in place.   Many employers don’t realize that they need to provide respiratory protection to employees in certain roles. Check out our blog on respiratory protection programs to get an idea of what’s involved.  The list reflects violations from October 2023 through September 2024, and is based solely on federal OSHA data. For yet another year, Fall Protection (general requirements) was #1 with more than double the violations of the next largest category, and hasn’t moved from that spot for 13 years.  1.    Fall Protection – General Requirements: 7,271 violations 2.    Hazard Communication: 3,213 3.    Ladders: 2,978 4.    Scaffolding: 2,859 5.    Powered Industrial Trucks (1910.178): 2,561 6.    Lockout/Tagout (1910.147): 2,554 7.    Respiratory Protection (1910.134): 2

Posted By Brandy King
September 24, 2024 Category: 2018 Group Retro, Retro Refunds, Ohio Bwc, Missing Refunds

You may have received, or will soon receive a letter from Ohio BWC stating that they are “unable to approve your request” to issue premium refunds based on 2018 Group Retrospective Rating.  To recap, BWC chose to withhold 2018 Group Retro refunds from Ohio employers in light of the large dividend that was released to employers in 2020. Spooner appealed that decision on behalf of our clients with the intent of getting those Group Retro refunds paid out to participating employers, like your business. Spooner has maintained our stance and our fight over the last three years as the hearings and appeals process has continued to play out.   Why did we receive this letter?  These letters are a response to the protests we filed on behalf of Spooner clients who participated in 2018 Group Retro. We filed these requests to preserve our appeal rights, should we continue to be successful with the legal action that is now before the Court of Common Pleas. We have concerns that if we prevail in the legal proceedings, BWC may attempt to pay only the lead plaintiff in the case, as opposed to all Group Retro members.  Why now? The final snapshot to determine refunds for the 2018 group retro program was on June 30, 2022. We filed the appeals at the end of June 2024 to comply with the two-year statute for filing protests with BWC. What should we do now?   There is nothing that employers need to do at this time. If it becomes apparent that action is needed

Posted By Brandy King
September 24, 2024 Category: Ohio Bwc, True Up

With the filing deadline over a month behind us now, hopefully your policy’s 2023-2024 BWC True Up has been completed.  The reporting period has historically been July 1through August 15, with a grace period of 30 days. Spooner’s team has been notified that for the current and coming policy years, the True Up period for reporting payroll and paying any remaining balances will be July 1 through August 31, with no grace period.  It’s important to note that failure to True Up can impact your eligibility for Group Rating and Group Retro, which can translate to thousands of dollars in lost

Posted By Brandy King
September 24, 2024 Category: Hazcom, Osha, Ghs, Compliance, DOT, Safety Update

OSHA Issues Final Rule on HazCom Standard to Align with Revised GHS In July, OSHA’s final rule on the Hazard Communication Standard for classifying and labeling chemicals went into effect, and will be phased in over a four year period. Changes were made to the standard so that it will align with the 7th revision of the UN’s Globally Harmonized System (GHS), and will impact chemical manufacturers, importers, distributors and employers utilizing hazardous chemicals.  The updated standard includes changes to definitions that will impact labeling, handling and classification of hazardous chemicals. Here are some high points:  •    Additions the definition of Bulk shipment, Combustible dust, Gas, Immediate outer package, Liquid, Physician or other licensed health-care professional (PLHCP), Released for shipment, and Solids.   •    Clarifications to the definition of Exposure or Exposed, Pyrophoric gas •    An addition to Section (f)(5) Transportation clarifying labeling for bulk shipments and pictograms to align with Department of Transportation (DOT) requirements. This solves the issue of having to use both HCS and DOT pictograms for the same hazard. •    Smaller containers may utilize special labelling. Capacities under 100 ml will have minimum labeling requirements of a product identifier, applicable pictograms, signal word, manufacturer’s name and phone numb

Posted By Brandy King
September 24, 2024 Category: General

The official start of flu season is considered October, but colds, seasonal flu, COVID and other viruses have already started circulating in and out of the workplace.  The CDC and other organizations have conducted surveys showing how illness impacts the workplace. The medical journal Vaccine reports that the flu virus alone causes over 100 million missed workdays per year, which translates to roughly $16.3 billion in earnings. While employers may not be able to prevent contagious illness at work, there are plenty of measures that can be taken to reduce the spread of germs.  Remember how anti-bacterial items were everywhere you turned during the peak of the COVID pandemic? There’s no reason to stop doing that. Especially during cold and flu season, we strongly encourage employers to take measures to reduce the spread of germs. Making things like hand sanitizers, anti-bacterial wipes and sprays, and tissues is always a good idea. Place anti-bacterial wipes near high-tough areas like postage machines, break rooms, copiers, etc.  Prioritize handwashing. Make sure handwashing is accessible to all employees, and that restrooms and kitchen areas are stocked with soap and either paper towels or a hand dryer.  Offer a voluntary, no-cost onsite vaccine clinic for employees, or provide information about how and where they can receive free vaccines for things like seasonal flu and current COVID variants. Check with your local occupational health facilit

Posted By Brandy King
August 26, 2024 Category: Group Rating, Renewal, Docusign

Earlier this summer (late June), Spooner sent Group Rating documents to many of our clients via DocuSign. If your policy had been enrolled in our Group Rating program for the current (2024-2025) policy year, your renewal documents would have been delivered this way. We understand that you may have been hesitant to open the email and/or click the link to complete the documents, or the email could have been intercepted as spam and you didn’t receive it at all. We’re working through contacting the Spooner clients who have not yet returned their Group Rating forms and can resend either via DocuSign or regular email. If you still have the email, you’re still able to complete the enrollment via DocuSign. It should appear similar to the picture below, showing Nathan Kenney as the sender. We apologize for any confusion this may have caused. Please reach out to your Client Services Manager with any additional questions on your 2025 program

Posted By Brandy King
July 24, 2024 Category: safety grants, ohio bwc, safety intervention, finance, safety investment

Ohio employers may be able to check one more thing off their wish list this year, without paying full price. Ohio BWC has opened the application period the Safety Intervention Grant (SIG) Program, which matches eligible state-fund employers $3 to $1 on investments to create a safer workplace. Most employers who have had an Ohio BWC policy for at least one year, are paying above minimum premium ($120+), current on installments and true ups with no lapses this year should be able to take advantage. Self-insuring employers, employers in a self-insured PEO, state agencies and state universities are not eligible. Every three years, eligible employers can apply for up to $40,000 in matching funds to purchase “equipment to substantially reduce or eliminate injuries and illnesses associated with a particular task or operation.” The first thing to note is that if your organization wants to benefit from the Safety Intervention Grants, is that you must complete this process before purchasing equipment. We know this paperwork can be daunting, and we encourage Spooner clients to reach out to us for assistance with these grant applications. Be prepared with info on any workers’ comp claims or incidents associated with the particular area or task, the number of employees performing the task, and explore vendors to get price quotes on the equipment you have in mind. As always, there are items and services that grant funds can’t be used for - like standard PPE, train

Posted By Brandy King
July 24, 2024 Category: ohio bwc, true up, compliance,

BWC’s True Up window began on July 1, 2024 and will run through August 15, 2024. This is a process required by Ohio BWC at the end of each policy year, where your premiums based on projected payroll for the previous policy year are balanced with premiums based on your actual payroll over the past year. Compliance with both the reporting and payment of any balances affects your company’s eligibility for most savings programs (like Group and Group Retro). If your actual payroll was higher than projected, you’ll be expected to pay that balance to Ohio BWC no later than August 15th. If you are unable to pay the lump sum at that time, please note that any future premium installments will first be applied to your delinquent True Up Balance before being applied to your premium installments. Payment plans for True Up balances are only available through the Ohio Attorney General’s office following an application process.  If this year’s True Up caught you by surprise, next year consider running a mock report in May or June to help your company prepare for any balance that may be owed. The payroll classifications and totals reported this summer will be used to determine your 2025 policy year premiums. For the 2024 policy year that just began, BWC will be using payroll projections based on your True Up from July 2023. Adjustments to your estimated payroll can also be made throughout the year by contacting BWC at 1-800-644-6292.  Spooner clients

Posted By Brandy King
July 24, 2024 Category: osha, heat standard, heat illness, regulatory update, safety, case law, loper bright

Late June and early July saw two important regulatory-related updates, one of which could potentially impact the other. First, on June 28, 2024 – the U.S. Supreme Court issued a ruling in Loper Bright Enterprises vs. Raimondo that may change who is responsible for interpreting laws and regulations issued by a government entity.  Prior to June 2024, the US Supreme Court was guided by the 1984 ruling in Chevron vs. Natural Resources Defense Council Inc – which determined that the agency that created the statute in question would be deferred to on interpretation, unless Congress had specifically addressed it previously. This has since been called the “Chevron Deference.” Following the June 28th Loper Bright ruling, the judicial branch will have the power to interpret such statutes. This change in administrative law could impact any employer that is subject to government regulations, including matters involving OSHA.  Speaking of OSHA, they made headlines again in July as the proposed heat illness rule was finally made public. If you’re unfamiliar with the rulemaking process, it can still take another year or more for this proposed rule to become a reality that employers must comply with. Once the proposed rule is officially published in the Federal Register, it will then be open to commentary from interested parties for 120 days.  However, it’s important to note that OSHA still has a National Emphasis Program (NEP) on heat i