News and Updates
Month: February 2024
OSHA Citation Assistance
Some of the calls and emails we receive from Spooner clients may be preventive and simple, others can be panicked, and everything in between. One of the things that sets Spooner apart is that we don’t just have a safety services team – we encourage our clients to take advantage of those services. We offer a 24/7 OSHA-Safety hotline to all of our clients, we can assist them in OSHA informal conferences, and we advise them to call us right away when OSHA is involved (or will be). The knee-jerk reaction for many people is to just start talking when OSHA shows up, announced or not. We’d recommend contacting us and/or your attorney before doing anything else. If you don’t have an attorney that is well-versed on labor and employment law, we can connect you with one. This isn’t something for your tax or real estate attorney to handle. There’s no need to make any admissions of guilt during the inspection. The importance of understanding the OSHA process and your rights before they come knocking can’t be overstated. Every inspector will present differently, but they’re always trying to get information – that’s their job. Regardless of what they find during the inspection, there’s a good chance the employer may have recourse in negotiating a settlement better than the “as written” citation. It’s not unusual for our safety team to assist clients in getting a case dismissed before it even reaches
Enhancing Workplace Safety Through Ergonomics Assessments
Ensuring the wellbeing of your employees is not only a moral imperative, but also a strategic advantage. One critical aspect of workplace safety often overlooked is ergonomics—the science of designing workspaces, tools, and processes to fit the capabilities and limitations of human workers. Why should you invest in ergonomics assessments? Reduced Workplace Injuries: Ergonomics assessments identify potential hazards related to repetitive tasks, awkward postures, and heavy lifting. By addressing these issues proactively, you can significantly reduce the risk of musculoskeletal injuries, strains, and sprains among your workforce. Enhanced Productivity: When employees work in comfortable and efficient environments, productivity soars. Ergonomics assessments optimize workstations, minimizing unnecessary movements and streamlining processes. A well-designed workspace allows employees to focus on their tasks without discomfort or fatigue. Cost Savings: Workplace injuries lead to lost productivity, medical expenses, and workers’ compensation claims. Investing in ergonomics proactively can prevent these costs in the future. Moreover, a safer workplace attracts and retains skilled workers, reducing turnover expenses. Compliance and Legal Requirements: Regulatory bodies are increasing their scrutiny of ergonomics. OSHA doesn’t yet have a specific standard for ergonomics, but you’ve probably heard about the numer
February 2024 Ohio BWC Update: Rate Reductions and Login Credentials
Ohio BWC Rate Reduction for PY 2024-25 Approved Following a rate reduction for public Ohio employers that went into effect January 1, 2024 – Ohio BWC has approved another rate reduction for private employers. Governor DeWine and the administrators at Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation asked their board to approve a 7% rate decrease, which they approved on February 23rd, 2024. Those rates will become effective on July 1, 2024, at the start of the new policy year. BWC will collect roughly $67 million less in premiums from Ohio employers over the course of the policy year. As we’ve mentioned before, it’s important to note that a 7% rate reduction is not literal – it “represents a statewide average” reduction. What that means for employers is that some rates may go down…but it’s also possible for some to go up. Spooner clients will be notified of any rate changes at their annual renewal. If you’re not a Spooner client and your TPA isn’t reviewing your anticipated rate changes with you, we’re happy to help you understand the potential impact on your premiums. Just complete our online AC-3 form and someone will reach out to you right away. Ohio Employers Will Soon Transition to OH|ID Logins for BWC Website Around the end of February, Ohio employers may see the option to log in to their BWC accounts with their OH|ID username and password. For the next couple of months, you’ll st
Spooner Safety Now Providing Ohio EPA Contact Hours
If your company holds a Water Supply or Distribution license, some of your employees may be required to complete a certain amount of Contact Hours, which are essentially continuing education for their specific field and position. Spooner Safety Services is now an authorized provider of Ohio EPA Contact Hours for employers/employees who must meet the requirements for related jobs under its standard. Contact Jon Carpenter with any questions at
