Talk safety with us at the Farm Science Review

By Erik Harden, BWC Public Information Officer

With nearly 78,000 farms producing $9.3 billion in revenue, Ohio is one of the top five states in the U.S. for agriculture.

This robust industry remains a critical component of Ohio’s economy and one of the state’s major industries for employment. It’s also high-hazard work with great potential for workplace injuries and, unfortunately, even fatalities.

With all of this in mind, our Division of Safety & Hygiene (DSH) is once again promoting its programs and services at the Farm Science Review – one of the premier agricultural trade and education shows in the nation. Hosted by The Ohio State University, the event starts today and runs through Thursday at the Molly Caren Agricultural Center in London, Ohio.

For the fourth consecutive year, DSH representatives will be available at our booth to speak with attendees about the free programs and services we offer to assist employers and workers in Ohio’s agribusiness.

For example, our industrial hygienists can help farms guard against environmental hazards, including chemicals, pesticides, fertilizers, dust, mold, and extreme noise and temperatures.

Our ergonomists can illustrate ways to cut down on hazards resulting from:

• Manual materials handling.
• Repetitive, hand-intensive work.
• Poor workstation design.
• Sedentary work.

Our safety consultants can help prevent common but costly injuries to protect the bottom line of Ohio’s agriculture businesses and their workers.

If you’re going to Farm Science Review this week, stop by and see us! We’re booth No. 32 in Building 513.

Related links

• Learn, plan, and act to prevent grain bin tragedies
• Ag safety means a continuous focus on doing the right things
• Grain Storage and Handling Operations – The Deadliest Hazards

 

Ten ways to take action for National Preparedness Month

Whether natural or man-made, disaster can strike at any time. Which is why it’s so important to be prepared.

Next week marks the beginning of National Preparedness Month, so it’s a great time to check on your planning – at home and in the workplace. Sponsored by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, this year’s theme is Prepared, Not Scared. Weekly themes cover everything from saving early for disaster costs to teaching children to be prepared.

From fires and floods to devastating tornadoes like those that touched down in Ohio earlier this year, there are simple steps you can take to be ready when disaster strikes. Below are some tips to help you and your workplace be more prepared and resilient.

1. Sign up for local alerts and warnings, download apps, and check access for wireless emergency alerts.
2. Create and practice emergency communication and action plans.
3. Participate in a preparedness training or class.
4. Learn lifesaving skills, such as CPR and first aid.
5. Assemble or update emergency supplies, including flashlights, batteries, food, water, and medicine.
6. Collect and safeguard critical documents, such as birth certificates and insurance policies.
7. Document property and check your insurance policies for relevant hazards, such as flood, fire, and tornadoes.
8. Consider the costs associated with disasters and save for emergencies.
9. Make property improvements to reduce potential injury and property damage.
10. Plan with neighbors to help each other and share resources.

Studies show that when employers urge workers to prepare for disasters, employees are 75% more likely to take preparedness actions.

Don’t wait until a disaster or emergency strikes. Take action now to protect yourself, your family and your workplace and be prepared for anything.

Ohio BWC honored to host national conference

Thank you to everyone who helped make it a success

By Kendra DePaul, BWC Other States Coverage Manager

Almost 500 workers’ comp professionals traveled to Cleveland the week of July 21 for the 2019 American Association of State Compensation Insurance Funds (AASCIF) Annual Conference. We are happy to report the conference was a resounding success!

A different state fund hosts the conference each year, and we had the honor of hosting this year. Our staff helped with planning and were on site at the conference to make sure everything went smoothly.

BWC Administrator/CEO Stephanie McCloud kicked off the event by welcoming guests to Ohio!

The best part of the conference was workers’ comp professionals coming together to share best practices and discuss our common issues. AASCIF has members from 26 states, plus eight workers’ comp boards in Canada.

This year, members of the Puerto Rico workers’ comp fund attended the conference. The combined experience and expertise in one place was unparalleled.

We had great keynote speakers, including several with Ohio ties. Brad Hurtig, who spoke about his journey after losing both of his hands in a devasting workplace accident. In addition, Sam Quinones – author of “Dreamland: The True Tale of America’s Opiate Epidemic” – spoke about the deadly drug scourge plaguing our country.

There were also sessions on topics such as medical marijuana, customer service, the state of the economy, and national workers’ compensation issues.

When the annual communication award winners were announced, we were pleased to find ourselves in the winner’s circle among many of our peers including Pinnacol Assurance, Texas Mutual Insurance Company, Oregon’s State Accident Insurance Fund, California’s State Compensation Insurance Fund, Missouri Employers Mutual, Louisiana Workers’ Compensation Corporation, Minnesota’s State Fund Mutual Insurance Co., North Dakota Workforce Safety & Insurance, The Beacon Mutual Insurance Co. and Montana State Fund.

We accepted awards in the following categories:

• Open Category: First Place for the 2019 Medical & Health Symposium.
• Events: Second Place for the 2019 Ohio Safety Congress & Expo.
• Excellence in Writing: Third Place for “Safety Pays for Columbus Brewery.”

In closing, we’d like to offer a huge THANK YOU to the AASCIF core team, sponsors, attendees, presenters and BWC ambassadors for making the 2019 AASCIF Annual Conference a success!

Next year, the Colorado state fund, Pinnacol Assurance, will host the conference in Denver. We’ll see you there!

Visit us at the Ohio State Fair!

Stop by our booth to learn about our safety and wellness programs  

Hello from the 2019 Ohio State Fair! We’re in the Bricker Marketplace – booth 02 to be exact – and we’re excited to share how we’ve got you covered!

At work – Our safety services make workplaces and jobs safer; we’re also here if you get hurt on the job.

Your health and wellness – We’re keeping Ohioans healthy with wellness initiatives like Better You, Better Ohio!®

On and off the clock – A lot of safe practices overlap between work and home. Recognizing hazards is the first step to avoiding them.

Stop by our booth to learn more! Stick around to play safety plinko, get a photo, or check your eligibility for our Better You, Better Ohio! wellness program.

We’re honored to be part of this traditional event for Ohioans and one of the largest state fairs in the nation.

We hope to see you there!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

12 fireworks safety tips for a celebratory Fourth of July

The Fourth of July is an exciting time for friends and family to gather and celebrate America.

While most Independence Days are filled with fireworks, cookouts and parades, this holiday can also be one of the most dangerous.

On average, 280 people visit the emergency room every day around July 4^th with fireworks-related injuries. According to the National Fire Protection Association, more fires are reported on July 4 than any other day of the year. On average, fireworks cause 1,300 structure fires, 300 vehicle fires and nearly 17,000 other fires resulting in injury each year.

The National Safety Council strongly advises leaving fireworks to the professionals and staying away from all consumer fireworks. However, if you are planning to set off your own fireworks this Fourth of July, below are some essential tips to keep your friends and family safe:

1. Make sure setting off your own fireworks is legal in your area before you buy or ignite any fireworks.
2. Make sure you have a large open area in which to set off your fireworks that is free of tree branches or power lines. Never light fireworks indoors or near people or animals.
3. When purchasing your fireworks, avoid ones that are packaged in brown paper – those are typically made for professional displays and should not be used by amateurs.
4. Never allow young children to play with or ignite fireworks; always ensure anyone under the age of 18 is accompanied by an adult when setting off fireworks.
5. When lighting your fireworks, do not place any part of your body directly over the fireworks. Also, back up to a safe distance immediately upon lighting, and never light more than one firework at a time.
6. If a firework has not been fully ignited, do not pick it up or try to re-light it.
7. Never point or throw a firework at another person or animal.
8. Be sure to keep a hose, bucket of water or fire extinguisher close by.
9. Do not put fireworks in your pockets.
10. Never shoot off fireworks from glass or metal containers.
11. Once your fireworks have been ignited and set off, pour a bucket of water over the top before moving, handling or throwing the remains away.
12. Remember that sparklers are also fireworks and should be handled carefully.

The above rules of thumb should be followed for any type of firework.

Celebrate responsibility this Fourth of July and follow the above safety tips when setting off any size firework.

An even better idea is to head to your local park with a blanket and some snacks and enjoy your area’s professional fireworks show!

Be Safe Ohio!

BWC, ODJFS: Online training to help injured workers

OhioMeansJobs webinars available for continuing education credit

By Tina Elliott, Director, BWC Return to Work Services

To help Ohio’s injured workers return to work, we’re continuing our partnership with the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) through its OhioMeansJobs.com website.

A recording of our joint training series with ODJFS is now available online.

These webinars were designed to help providers, injured workers, BWC staff and managed care organizations better understand the resources available to help injured workers return to work. We also want people to know the OhioMeansJobs website can be used as a one-stop hub for return-to-work services.

To view the webinars, go to BWC Learning Management System and select Login or Need an Account. Once you log in, search for the following:

• Adding Value for Job Seekers with LMI and OhioMeansJobs.com: Locating Information
• Adding Value for Job Seekers with LMI and OhioMeansJobs.com: Career Direction and ExplorationContinuing Education

Each one-hour session offers one continuing education unit (CEU) for certified rehabilitation counselors, certified case managers and certified disability management specialists. This CEU credit is only valid through Aug. 19.

Session survey

If you already attended the live sessions, you’re welcome to review the videos and access the handouts as a refresher. However, you won’t earn new CEUs for retaking the same sessions. You must complete the session survey to obtain a certificate and credit for the CEUs.

Once you complete the course and the survey, your CEU information will be in your BWC learning center transcript. Within a few days, your certificate will also be available online.

If you have questions, please email us. Thank you for learning more about the tools and resources available on OhioMeansJobs.com. Together, we’re helping Ohio’s injured workers return to work and return to life.

Physician’s note: Start the back-to-work conversation

A first-appointment transitional plan can help an injured worker before the claim is approved

By Adam King, BWC Public Information Officer

Constance was working a late shift when she slipped and fell. She jarred her arm and wrist trying to catch herself and twisted her back as she landed awkwardly.

The Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) legally can’t start helping Constance until the injury is reported and a decision is made on allowing Constance’s claim.

But if Constance’s employer has a transitional work program in place, the doctor can immediately assess how to get her back to work safely and as quickly as possible. The employer can act without waiting for the claim allowance.

That’s the message David Holdsworth and Kimberly Kremer, technical medical specialists at BWC, conveyed during their seminar to provider staff during BWC’s 2019 Medical & Health Symposium. Employers who are proactive improve their injured workers’ outcomes.

“In almost every instance, that is better for the worker,” Holdsworth said of immediately implementing a transitional work plan. “The longer they’re off work, the less likely they are to return. When they’re back on the job, it creates stability in their family, finances and self-esteem.”

More than 50% of injured employees off work for six months or more never return to their original job. Companies lose their entire investment in onboarding and training. That’s thousands to tens of thousands of dollars or more. It also can mean the loss of a valuable team member and co-worker.

Physicians, Holdsworth and Kremer said, play a crucial role, too. During a first visit, the physician should ask Constance if her employer has a transitional work plan. She might not know. She might not think it applies to her injuries. But having that initial communication can speed up the recovery process.

The physician determines whether Constance can safely return to work and in what capacity. Taking on temporary transitional work duties will allow her to heal as her capacity to work increases.

It turns out Constance’s employer has a transitional work plan in place and has already assessed the physical requirements for every job position. It’s an easy process for her employer to identify which work tasks Constance can perform based on her restrictions. The employer offers Constance the modified job duties and she accepts. She’s able to keep working even as her workers’ comp claim is under review.

Once BWC allows the claim, Constance’s physician has several more options to support her efforts to get her back on the job. These vocational rehabilitation programs include remain at work, job retention and return to work.

Remain at work: Constance has missed work, less than eight days, and is now back at work. But she’s experiencing difficulties and might lose more time. Constance, her physician or her employer can identify her job difficulties and ask the employer’s managed care organization (MCO) to request specialized services so she can keep working. Her physician sets her work limitations and rehab needs, and the MCO authorizes the services. These are usually on-site and can include transitional work therapy, physical evaluation or restoration, job modifications, tools and equipment and job retraining.

“One of the first services in remain at work might be transitional work services,” said Kremer. “A physical or occupational therapist comes to the job site to provide interventions that help the worker adjust to the job’s physical demands.”

Job retention: Constance has been off work for more than eight days (which makes her workers’ comp claim a lost-time claim. This means she is drawing temporary total compensation or salary continuation). She returns to work and is still having difficulty doing her original job. Her physician and employer identify her issues returning to full duty and ask the MCO for a vocational rehab referral. Constance must voluntarily agree to the interventions.

Return to work: Constance has not been able to return to work, and there’s a question whether her injuries will allow her to do her job. A vocational rehabilitation manager works with the MCO and BWC to see if Constance can return to her original job or modify her role within the company. If not, they will work with her to find a new employer where the goal is to restore Constance to a similar level of work and earnings. Constance doesn’t need to be at full health to be a return-to-work participant if she can benefit from the services and is likely to return to work as a result.

“At any stage of injury recovery, BWC’s vocational rehabilitation programs offer avenues for workers to achieve their original quality of life or close to it,” Holdsworth said. “Returning to work is critical to an employee’s well-being, and that’s why it’s important for the employer, physician and MCO to be strong partners in their recovery.”

For more information about these programs, email our Rehab Policy team at Policy.R.1@bwc.state.oh.us or call our Customer Contact Center at 800-644-6292 and ask for Rehab Policy.

Walking the walk: BWC, Ohio connect recovery to employment at the Kennedy Forum

By Dr. Terrence Welsh, BWC Chief Medical Officer, Forum panel member

I was honored to be a part of last week’s Kennedy Forum 2019 in Chicago! The mission of this annual event is to create lasting change in the way mental health and addictions are treated in our healthcare system.

The forum envisions parity in access to services, transparency in communication and a better understanding and perception of these brain diseases by the public. It addressed accomplishing these goals through healthcare integration, improved technology, and brain health and fitness.

Workplace well-being

The focus this year was on workplace well-being, specifically as it relates to mental illness and substance use. The forum recognized the work we’ve done in our Substance Use Recovery and Workplace Safety Program, which supports businesses that hire workers in recovery.

It also recognized Ohio Governor Mike DeWine’s support for this program and the Recovery Ohio Plan he launched as attorney general. The governor’s commitment to workers in recovery breaks through stigma, injects hope, and rebuilds families and lives.

I participated in a panel discussion entitled, “Walking the Walk: Prioritizing Mental Health in Your Hiring and Managing Processes.” The panel featured an amazing group, including Dr. Kelly Clark, Past President, American Society of Addiction Medicine; Geralyn Giorgio, Talent Acquisition, Johnson and Johnson; Carol Kivler, MS, CSP, CMT, national mental health speaker and mental wellness advocate, and David Quilleon, Senior VP, Best Buddies International.

BWC Chief Medical Officer Terry Welsh, far right, stands with panel members of “Walking the Walk” at the Kennedy Forum June 11.

Opioids and our workforce

It’s humbling to hear about the magnificent work these people and their organizations are doing, but also encouraging to know Ohio is a leader in finding solutions to the impact of opioids on our workforce. BWC and Ohio are definitely “walking the walk.”

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot addresses an audience at the Kennedy Forum.

As Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot, who addressed the forum, said so well, “It takes courage to address these issues, and we ultimately need to see ourselves in the people we serve.”

The dividends are to our businesses, our workforce, our communities. All of us have been affected, and all of us can be a part of breaking the stigma associated with mental health and substance use disorder.

Taking the first step

None of us can “walk the walk” without taking the first step. I want to thank all of those in recovery and our business community for having the courage to do so. I hope others will follow their lead. To quote Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., “You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.”

 

Looking out for aging workers

May is Older Americans Month

By Stephanie McCloud, Administrator/CEO, Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation

Americans are living longer, and they’re working longer too. Today, one in every five American workers is over 65, and in 2020, one in four American workers will be over 55, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

At the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC), we have 71 workers over the age of 65; 18 are over the age of 70. We truly appreciate our older workers and the years of service to our agency and the people of Ohio.

We recognize the value they bring to our agency, and the contributions of mature workers in general to the work force. They bring skills and knowledge to the workplace honed by decades of service and experience. They are dependable and productive. They have a strong work ethic. They mentor our younger workers.

At BWC, our core mission is to protect Ohio’s workers and employers through the prevention, care and management of workplace injuries and illnesses. Workplace safety is a critical component of that mission, especially when it comes to our more seasoned workers. They are more susceptible to injury because of age-related challenges – decreases in mobility and sensory functions, reduced strength and balance, and longer reaction times.

When a 25-year-old worker falls on the job, for instance, she might bruise a knee. For a 70-year-old worker, it’s potentially a broken hip and a long recovery.

Older workers helped build our great state, and we want to keep them active, healthy and engaged in their work. We’re a charter partner in the STEADY U Ohio initiative to curb the epidemic of slips, trips and falls among older Ohioans. (One in three older adults will fall this year, according to the Ohio Department of Health.) These are the leading causes of worker injury, and they most often strike workers 45 and older (like me!).

These incidents are costly. The total estimated cost of falls among Ohioans aged 65 and older (medical costs, work loss) is nearly $2 billion annually in Ohio, according to the Ohio Department of Health. Most are preventable. At Steady U, workers and employers can find tips, tools and resources designed to reduce these incidents.

We urge all Ohioans to join us in creating a culture of safety across this state. Safe workplaces mean fewer, if any, injuries on the job, as well as steady production and lower costs for employers. And they mean more workers can go home healthy each day after their shift.

We are here to help. We have experts, grant dollars and other resources to make Ohio a safer place. To learn more, contact us at 1-800-644-6292 or visit our Division of Safety & Hygiene web page.

Work comp doc: ‘Look at patients holistically’

Counseling, coaching help patients overcome ‘behavioral barriers’ to recovery

By Tony Gottschlich, Public Information Officer

The human body is more than a machine. And when it breaks down, simply repairing the parts won’t get it running again, especially when fear and poor coping skills are involved.

That was the message Friday from the chief medical officer for the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) during a lecture entitled, “Integrating Behavioral Health into Injury Treatment,” at the Greater Columbus Convention Center.

“We need to look at patients more holistically and we need to have the tools to do that effectively,” said Terrence Welsh, MD, speaking at the fourth annual Ohio Workers’ Compensation Medical & Health Symposium. “If we don’t do that we are missing the boat, and we’re not going to accomplish what we set out to accomplish – getting our patients healthy again and back to work and life.”

Speaking to an audience of health care practitioners from across the state, Welsh said health care providers must incorporate a multifaceted approach to better understand and treat patients struggling to recover from injury. He said a “bio-psycho-social” model of care, “accepts that the mind and body influence each other.”

Welsh spoke of a tool BWC initiated last year called the Health and Behavioral Assessment and Intervention services rule, or HBAI. Under the rule, the agency will pay for counseling and coaching sessions that help injured workers overcome negative thinking, poor coping skills, lack of motivation and other behavioral barriers to recovery.

“These things actually work,” said Welsh, who is board-certified in physical medicine and rehabilitation, electrodiagnostic medicine and pain medicine. “There is evidence these services can improve outcomes.”

He cautioned the rule does not apply to mental illness and psychological disorders, but to naturally occurring emotional responses that many people experience following a serious injury.

In an interview before his lecture, Welsh said research shows behavioral barriers have three times or more the impact than pain alone in slowing an injured person’s recovery. That’s why it’s important to address barriers before they spiral into something more serious, such as depression and substance abuse.

Barriers that have the greatest impact on delayed recovery include:

• Catastrophic Thinking: The tendency to ruminate about irrational worst-case outcomes. This can increase anxiety and prevent the injured worker from taking action, such as completing their rehabilitation treatment program.
• Perceived Injustice: The injured worker’s belief that nothing will ever make up for what happened to them, and they didn’t do anything to deserve their situation.
• Fear/Avoidance: The avoidance of movement and activity in an attempt to reduce pain. Studies show that this barrier generally results in both chronic pain and a disengagement from meaningful activities, which prolongs disability and may lead to depression.
• Disability Beliefs: Injured workers’ expectations about recovery and their ability to manage returning to work. Studies show that an individual’s perceptions of the impact of their condition can have more influence on lost time, levels of impairment and activity levels than actual physical or medical indicators.

HBAI covers one health and behavioral assessment and up to six hours of intervention sessions per 12-month period. A number of licensed health professionals may provide the treatment, including physicians, chiropractors, psychologists, social workers and counselors.

For more information, click here.