See changes over time with new online archive of Ohio specific safety requirements

By Andrew Hart, Research Librarian – Ohio BWC Library Did you know that until 1971, workplace safety laws and rules were left up to the states? That’s when President Richard Nixon signed the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) into law. However, Ohio still has its own workplace safety laws and rules on the books! …

Customers show us the love during COVID-19

BWC’s economic, health and safety initiatives draw high praise By Winnie Warren, BWC Interim Chief of Employer Services Working for the state of Ohio, we all know our job is to serve our fellow Ohioans and hopefully make a positive difference in their lives, so it’s gratifying when our colleagues and leaders take note — …

Memorial Day

A Day to Remember and Honor By Judi Grant, BWC Electronic Design Specialist Memorial Day is a day to honor the men and women who have died while serving in the United States Armed Forces. One special veteran always comes to mind – my grandfather, Raymond Harley Petty. I honor his memory on this day, …

BWC nurse battles COVID-19 on front lines

May is National Nurses Month. BWC nurse tells her story. By Jennifer Wolford RN, Medical Service Specialist, Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation Away from my BWC job as a medical service specialist, I work as an intermittent nurse in an emergency department (ED) at an Akron-area hospital on weekends. Since the community spread of COVID-19 …

In challenging times, BWC delivers

Up to $1.6 billion for employers among several measures aimed at weakening COVID-19’s impact #InThisTogetherOhio By Stephanie McCloud, BWC Administrator/CEO One of our core values at the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation is Relentless Excellence — we are unyielding in our delivery of outstanding service to our customers. Not just sometimes or in ordinary times, …

BWC cancels Ohio Safety Congress & Expo due to Coronavirus concerns

ONLINE OPTION STILL ON By Tony Gottschlich, Public Relations Manager At the direction of Governor Mike DeWine, BWC Administrator/CEO Stephanie McCloud cancelled this week’s Ohio Safety Congress 2020 in-person event due to concerns surrounding the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19). “The health and safety of Ohioans remain our top concern, and we must take every precaution to …

Why the Ohio Safety Congress & Expo is the best value around

By Bernie Silkowski, Superintendent, BWC Division of Safety & Hygiene In my role with our Division of Safety & Hygiene, I realize the importance of keeping our staff current on the latest updates and trends in workplace safety. I also understand the constraints tight budgets can have on getting this important training and education to …

Congrats to the 2020 Safety Innovation Awards finalists!

By Jeff Hutchins, Manager, BWC Quality Assurance & Technical Safety Support Sometimes workplace safety issues require employers to think outside the box for solutions. It’s inspiring to see the ideas they develop to overcome workplace hazards. To spotlight these employers, their innovative spirit, and their commitment to workplace safety, we sponsor our annual Safety Innovation …

Ohio business owners owe more than $800K following fraud-related convictions

Three Northeast Ohio men owe the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC) more than $800,000 after investigators discovered they were operating their businesses without workers’ compensation coverage. “These business owners learned the hard way they cannot operate their business without workers’ compensation coverage, and now they owe us hundreds of thousands of dollars,” said BWC …

Black History Month: For my family, voting is a generational experience

By Eric Bruce, Customer Service Representative, Ohio Ethics Commission Through the years, I’ve had the opportunity to ask my mother many things about her life growing up in Little Rock, Arkansas. Now, at her age of 97, I have a full collection of stories and plenty of information. But I had never asked her about …