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OSHA's Top 10 Violations
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): 2,481
8. Fall Protection – Training Requirements (1926.503): 2,112
9. Personal Protective and Lifesaving Equipment – Eye and Face Protection (1926.102): 2,074
10. Machine Guarding (1910.212): 1,644
Spooner Risk Control’s safety team has expertise in all of these categories and we’re here to help businesses correct course, or implement things that may have been missing from their safety program. Please reach out to us at 440-249-5260 or visit our Safety Services page for more information.
2025-26 Safety Council Rebate Program
Posted By Brandy King
June 05, 2025
Category: General
Along with the new Ohio BWC policy year beginning on July 1, 2025 – one of their most beneficial programs now has an increased ROI for employers. Participating in a local safety council is beneficial not just for the savings – but also the education, networking, and locating resources to aid your internal safety programs. Ohio businesses have until July 31, 2025 to sign on for the 2025-2026 program. Your company can earn a 3% rebate (not to exceed $5000) on ’25-26 policy year premiums by attending 10 in-person safety council meetings. At least eight (8) of these must be attended through the safety council you’re enrolled with, and up to two (2) credits can be earned through attending BWC-sponsored in-person or virtual events, or in-person training from external sources like your TPA or trade organizations and Chambers of Commerce. Remember – to get the 3% rebate, your policy premiums must be current and your most recent True-Up should have been completed on time. This rebate program can be combined with Group Rating, Group Retro and virtually any other BWC program your company participates in. For more information on the Safety Council Program, reach out to us at 440-249-5260 or check out this
A Big Thank You from the Spooner Team!
Posted By Brandy King
June 05, 2025
Category: General
We’d like to sincerely thank every Ohio employer that chose Spooner Medical Administrators, Inc. (SMAI) as their MCO during MCO Open Enrollment last month, as well as those loyal clients who chose to remain with our MCO. SMAI continues to experience sustainable, organic growth, thanks to the partnerships we have with Chambers of Commerce, trade organizations, Associations, and simply by word of mouth. SMAI has grown in both policies assigned and claims managed, and was also one of only four MCOs to see a net growth during Open Enrollment. The team at SMAI is excited to begin building partnerships with the hundreds of new employers that moved to Spooner Medical Administrators this year. Thanks for putting your faith in us, Ohio businesses! We can’t wait to meet even more new customers when the next Open Enrollment rolls around in
2 Hour Safety Training Deadline for 2024 PY
Posted By Brandy King
June 05, 2025
Category: General
If your company participated in Group Rating or Group Retro during the 2024 policy year (July 1, 2024-June 30, 2025) and had a claim during the green year(s), you’re required to complete two hours of safety training by June 30, 2025. Please be sure to complete submit the training certificates to your team at Spooner (or your TPA, if you’re not a Spooner client). If you’re unsure if you need to complete this training, reach out to your client services manager. The training doesn’t have to be completed in person – so there’s still time to meet the requirement by participating in one of BWC’s online courses. Here are some details on fulfilling the two-hour training requirement, per the Ohio BWC website. Two-hour Training Options A variety of training sources are available for you to fulfill this requirement. They include the following offered through BWC’s Division of Safety & Hygiene: Education and Training Services Center courses Ohio Safety Congress & Exposition (OSC) safety education sessions Safety council seminars, workshops, or conferences featuring a safety topic that are at least two hours long (Safety council monthly meetings do not qualify.) Guidelines for courses offered through non-BWC training forums The group sponsor, third-party administrator, or an independent source can sponsor a course, provided it meets the two-hour criteria. The topic must be workplace safety rela
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28605 Ranney Parkway
Westlake, Ohio 44145
Phone: 440-249-5260 ext. 153
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