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True-Up available now!
The True-up period for policy year 2021 is available now through August 15! The Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC) determines employer premiums based on the amount of payroll (exposure) reported multiplied by a specific rate. At the beginning of each policy period, we’ll set an estimated annual premium (EAP) as follows.
- For a new employer, we'll establish your estimated annual premium by using the 12-month payroll estimate you submitted on your application for workers' compensation coverage.
- For an existing employer that had coverage before this policy period, we’ll establish your estimated annual premium by using the estimated payroll from the previous policy year.
At the end of the policy year, we must ensure the estimated premium we set for you was correct. To do this, you must file a true-up report that reflects the actual payroll for that policy year. You must complete the report online using the Payroll true-up report service offering.
If your true-up payroll exceeds the estimated payroll, you'll owe additional premium. If your true-up payroll is less than your estimated payroll, you'll receive a premium credit.
Important: An employer must submit a payroll true-up report even if it has zero payroll.
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Industry-Specific Safety Program (ISSP) changes
The Division of Safety and Hygiene (DSH) has modified the Industry-Specific Safety Program (ISSP) for Ohio employers who actively partner with DSH to reduce the risk of injuries and illness. The overall goal for ISSP is the identification of risk factors and the implementation of effective control measures that improve employee safety and health.
The following changes took effect July 1 for private employers and Jan. 1, 2022 for public employers.
Following a DSH safety and health consultation, the employer must now complete DSH follow-up activities before the end of the program year to earn loss prevention activity credits. Follow-up activities may include responding to a DSH action plan or completing a post-training survey. Previously, employers completed a post-consultation survey (SH-29).
Learn more about DSH ISSP activity credits.
Private employers participating in ISSP for the July 1 policy year must submit the online Safety Self-Assessment (SH-26) no later than July 30.
Click here to submit the SH-26 online.
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Deadline extended for Indoor Air Quality program
The deadline to apply for BWC’s Indoor Air Quality Assistance Program has been extended to December 31, 2021. This federally funded $28 million program provides reimbursement for improvements to HVAC systems at nursing homes, assisted living centers, hospices, and other facilities that serve vulnerable Ohioans. Experts say such improvements weaken COVID-19’s spread.
For an application and more on this program, visit this BWC webpage.
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BWC and the Ohio On-Site Consultation Program are proud to join an alliance with the Ohio Agribusiness Association and the four Ohio area offices of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to raise awareness and develop safety education and training specific to the Ohio agribusiness industry.
Workers in the agricultural industry face unique hazards from grain storage and processing, farm and grain handling machinery, and falls. The alliance will focus on providing information, guidance, and access to consultation and training resources that will help protect the health and safety of workers.
BWC will provide free safety and health consulting through the Ohio On-site Consultation Program and our loss prevention services to assist in addressing site-specific hazards at individual locations. Ohio On-site, jointly funded by OSHA and BWC, has expertise in high-hazard industries, like agriculture.
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Click the image to watch Dr. Frederic Bertley, president and CEO of COSI, explain how the COVID-19 vaccine was created using science we’ve been developing for over 20 years. #InThisTogetherOhio
Brought to you by the Ohio Department of Health.
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News Briefs
Workplace vaccination clinics
ODH is also asking businesses to partner with COVID-19 vaccine providers in their communities to offer convenient clinics that meet the scheduling needs of your employees. ODH has launched a webpage to connect businesses, organizations and partner vaccine providers with resources to plan workplace vaccinations and encourage employee participation. To get started, visit the ODH COVID-19 Vaccination Program for Businesses and Organizations page.
Updating your My Policy Page
We encourage all employers to visit their My Policy page and check the accuracy of their information. Please let your Employer Service Specialist know if there have been any changes to the employer address, email, telephone number, fax number, or employer contacts.
July edition of Safety Update
Check out the latest news from safety and health experts from BWC, NIOSH, and OSHA.
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Important dates
July 21: Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee. More info online
July 27: Better You, Better Ohio! Wellness webinar. More info online
July 29: Employer Update Webinar. More info online
July 30: Important deadline for these employer programs. More info online
July 30: Board of Directors meeting.
Aug. 4: Virtual Training: Lockout/Tagout and Safety-Related Work. More info online
Aug. 10: Webinar: Engaging Millennials in Safety. More info online
Aug. 12: Webinar: The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Safety Teams. More info online
Aug. 18: Virtual Training: Work Zone Traffic Control and Safety. More info online
Check out our blogs!
We encourage you to visit our blog each month to get the latest on news related to workers’ compensation. New this month:
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Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation
Vision: To transform BWC into an agile organization driven by customer success.
Mission: To deliver consistently excellent experiences for each BWC customer every day. Core Values: One Agency, Personal Connection, Innovative Leadership, Relentless Excellence.
Established in 1912, the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation is the exclusive provider of workers’ compensation insurance in Ohio and serves 249,000 public and private employers. With nearly 1,700 employees and assets of approximately $25 billion, BWC is one of the largest state-run insurance systems in the United States. For more, visit www.bwc.ohio.gov.
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