Each Ohio safety council has the same goal - to increase safety awareness. But developing and maintaining a safe workplace is no easy task. That is why it must be a combined effort of local businesses and the community.

BWC's Division of Safety & Hygiene sponsors more than 70 safety councils, across the state, organized through chambers of commerce, trade and manufacturing associations, American Red Cross chapters or other local safety-minded organizations. These safety councils provide their local communities with quality programs addressing occupational safety and health, workers' compensation and risk management education and information. They inform participants about new techniques, products and services, and provide a thorough knowledge of these services.

Participation incentive

In addition to the educational benefits of membership, employers actively participating in their local safety council program in fiscal year 2007 (July 1, 2006, to June 30, 2007) will receive a 4-percent, one-time workers' compensation premium discount. (Self-insuring employers and state agencies are excluded from the discount offer but are encouraged to participate in the safety council program.) This discount can be added to any existing Drug Free Workplace, Premium Discount Program + and/or group rating discount.

To qualify for this fiscal year 2007 premium discount, employers must:

• Be enrolled in a safety council by Sept. 30, 2006;
• Send representatives to at least eight meetings between July 1, 2006,
  and June 30, 2007;
• Have senior management attendance at any safety council CEO event;
• Submit semiannual workplace accident reports for the calendar year.

Contact your local safety council for more information.

Just announced!

BWC will continue the safety council incentive program for the fourth year in fiscal year 2008 (July 1, 2007, to June 30, 2008). Below are the discount eligibility requirements for the fiscal year 2008 safety council program.

1. The employer must enroll with a local safety council by July 31, 2007.
2. The employer must attend 10 meetings or events, at least eight through
    the local safety council. Employers may earn credit for up to two meetings
    by attending Workers' Compensation University (WCU), the Ohio Safety
    Congress & Expo, Division of Safety & Hygiene training courses or industry-
    specific safety training.

    See specific instructions below.

WCU (maximum of one meeting credit for event) - Employers must attend at least one breakout session, follow instructions for continuing education and submit documentation to its safety council.

Ohio Safety Congress & Expo (maximum of one meeting credit for event) - Employers must attend at least one educational session, follow instructions for continuing education and submit documentation to its safety council.

Division of Safety & Hygiene training courses (maximum of one meeting credit per course) - Employers must attend any scheduled course, download a certificate from BWC's Learning Center and submit documentation to its safety council.

Industry-specific safety training (maximum of one meeting credit per scheduled training) - Employers must obtain attendance documentation and submit it to its safety council.

3. The employer's chief executive officer (or highest ranking authority) must attend
    any one safety council sponsored function or meeting. Executive attendance
    counts as credit toward one of the required 10 meetings.
4. The employer must submit semiannual reports for the 2007 calendar year.

Employers can earn a 2-percent discount for meeting all of the eligibility requirements and a 2-percent performance bonus for reducing either frequency or severity by 10 percent, or with maintenance of both frequency and severity at zero. An employer must meet all eligibility requirements outlined above to be eligible for the performance bonus.

Safety awards

In conjunction with the Division of Safety & Hygiene, the safety councils present safety awards throughout Ohio to promote greater interest in the prevention of occupational accidents and disease. Members with the highest safety records are honored at annual awards events.

The safety council campaign is open to all companies, corporations, groups and employers in Ohio. Members work with their safety councils to determine accident records. Accident statistics are used for the purpose of determining eligibility for safety awards and are not reported to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration or any other enforcement agency.

Awards are presented to qualifying businesses in the following categories:

• Group Award - lowest incident rate in each group;
• 100% Award - zero injuries or illnesses resulting in a day or more away from
   work in the previous calendar year;
• Achievement Award - 25-percent reduction in incident rate from the
  previous year;
• Special Award - at least 500,000 hours and at least six months without
  an injury resulting in a day or more away from work.

For more information about the Southern Ohio Safety Council, please contact Lisa Carver or Lisa Goddard at (740) 353-7647.

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