News from CareWorks Comp - May 2019

Problem: “We don’t have any light duty jobs for our injured workers.” 

Problem Solved: Grant money from the Ohio BWC, a York Transitional Work Developer to help you create “light duty jobs,” or Modified Duty Offsite (MDOS) to place your injured worker at a non-profit like the Salvation Army or local food bank.

BWC Transitional Work Grants are available to assist Employers in creating a formal Return to Work program. A Transitional Work Program is a customized program that includes policies and procedures to assist employers in safely bringing injured employees with restrictions back to work by performing identified jobs, tasks or functions as they transition back to their original positions. The program also includes the development of Job Analyses which outline the employee’s full duty position with task by task details for each essential job function as well as identifying modified tasks that may be performed as the employee “transitions” back to full duty. Applying for the grant is easy. The application is available at www.bwc.ohio.gov. or you can reach out to Danielle Dresden of York, our Transitional Work Manager at 330.714.8884 or Danielle.Dresden@yorkrisk.com.

(MDOS) is also an alternative work option that can be part of an employer's Remain at and Return to Work Program. MDOS is a tool for employers to have available when they have limited or no transitional duty work onsite that is within the injured employee's physician documented capacities.  York can assist employers in temporarily placing the employee at a local nonprofit working within their capacities until they can return to the employer site.  For more information please contact Kimberly Wickert, York, Remain at and Return to Work Director at Kimberly.wickert@yorkrisk.com or at 330-416-0530.  

Stop Use and Inspect Order Issued on 3M Fall Protection Harness

3M Fall Protection has learned of the possibility of a manufacturing defect in a dorsal d-ring of ExoFit NEX™ harnesses manufactured between January 2016 and December 2018. Although there have been no reported incidents involving this condition, a dorsal d-ring with this defect will not support the load in a fall arrest event which could result in serious injury or death. More information can be found at this link. 

Important Deadlines:

• May 15, 2019: Last day for employers to change their Premium Installment Plan with the Ohio BWC for the 2019 Policy Year. This can be done online at bwc.ohio.gov in your account under “My Policy” or by calling the Ohio BWC at 1.800.644.6292. 
• May 21, 2019: If you are on a Monthly Installment Plan with the Ohio BWC to pay your Premiums, the next  installment is due 5/21/19.
• May 31, 2019: Application deadlines for 7/1/19 start date for the BWC’s Drug Free Safety Program (DFSP), Industry Specific Safety Program (ISSP), and Transitional Work Bonus Program (TWB). Apply online at bwc.ohio.gov.
• June 30, 2019: Deadline for 2018 Safety Council participation requirements (attend 10 meetings throughout the 2018 Policy Year.)

May 1st: BWC Mailing 2019 Notice of Estimated Annual Premium to Ohio Employers

On or about May 1, 2019, the Ohio BWC will be mailing your Annual Notice of Estimated Premium for the upcoming 2019 Policy Year that starts on July 1, 2019 and ends on June 30, 2020. When you receive this Notice, we highly suggest that you review it in detail and confirm if the estimated payroll numbers that the BWC is projecting match what you are projecting for your company. If you are expecting your payroll to change significantly for the 2019 Policy Year (either up or down) we suggest you contact the Ohio BWC to adjust those numbers accordingly. This will ensure a more manageable True Up in the summer of 2020. If you would like to change your Premium Installment Plan for the upcoming 7/1/19-6/30/20 Policy Year, you can do so by May 15, 2019 by going online at www.bwc.ohio.gov or by calling the Ohio BWC at 1.800.644.6292.

Spike in Fraudulent Unemployment Claims  

The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) has noted an increase in the number of fraudulent unemployment claims over the past several weeks. These claims are being filed online using a social security number acquired in an unknown fashion. The actual employee to whom the SS# belongs is not even aware of the claim. According to the ODJFS integrity hotline - there have been several hundred cases in late March and April. Some cases are caught and flagged, within a day, if the perpetrator is not able to offer other identifying information to the ODJFS. Some cases are not caught until the employer notifies the state. If you believe that someone has filed a fraudulent claim using one of your employees’ (or client's employee) SS#, please contact the ODJFS Integrity Hotline at 1-800-686-1555. It would be a good idea to have the employee call the number as well. The investigator will make other suggestions to the employee such as calling the police and credit bureaus. Contact our unemployment manager, Kammy Staton to discuss the many ways we can assist you with unemployment issues. Kammy can be reached at 614-526-7165 or Kammy.staton@careworkscomp.com.

What Do I Do If OSHA Shows Up at My Business?

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) could show up on your doorstep for different reasons. But when they do, it is important to keep a few things in mind. They should have credentials and will let you know the reason they are there during an opening conference. The inspection should be limited to the reason they are there. If they point out something you should do, try and correct it. They may wish to look at your OSHA record keeping documents to determine if there are specific issues. They may wish to speak to your associates in private and they most likely will have questions for you. It is important to be honest and be prepared to produce training records if asked. 

At the conclusion of the inspection, the inspector will hold a closing conference to discuss observed violations. The closing conference may occur immediately following the inspection or several days or weeks later. Typically citations are mailed to the employer several days or weeks after the closing conference but must be issued within six months of the start of the inspection. If you receive a citation it must be posted and you have 15 days from the receipt of the citation to contest it, but if you choose to do so you should have an attorney. You should always request an informal conference where you can produce documents, pictures or other evidence showing good faith to abate the hazards in order to have the citation withdrawn or reduced. You can find more information on OSHA’s website in “All about OSHA” or contact Jim Wirth, 614-827-0370 or jim.wirth@yorkrisk.com.

Group Rating Program Reminder

The 2019 workers’ comp policy year will begin July 1st. For those employers who are not enrolled in the CareWorks Comp Group Rating program and are interested in a no cost / no obligation evaluation for the 2020 policy year please contact Amber Hart, CareWorks Comp Program Manager, at amber.hart@careworkscomp.com.