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BWC featured items
Hearing protection training
We have three new training videos on noise. If the OSHA standard requires noise training annually at your facility, these videos cover the required training. Also, they come with a handy training guide and knowledge assessment for training documentation.
April BWC In-person training, safety webinars, and virtual training classes
The BWC has numerous safety training opportunities for you and your employees.
Thanks for joining us!
Over 9,000 attendees joined us for 2024 Ohio Safety Congress & Expo®. Didn’t get a chance to attend? Check out this recap video!
OHID for BWC
Exciting news! OHID, your one-stop shop for secure and convenient access to various state agencies, is here. Say goodbye to juggling multiple logins and passwords - with OHID, you can manage everything with just one set of credentials. As we move towards this upgraded system, it's important to note that OHID will become the only way to access your BWC accounts. This change is aimed at boosting security and simplifying your user experience. For more information, visit OHID for BWC customers.
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 Monthly safety topic
While mowing seems to be a simple household chore, we’ve seen an increase in mowing-related serious injuries and worse in Ohio. Here are some key tips to ensure you can maintain that manicured lawn, while staying safe:
Operator training: Ensure all personnel working with lawncare equipment are properly trained and understand the functions and limitations of the machinery. Read and follow directions in the equipment’s operator’s manual. Pay attention to safety instructions in the manual and warning labels you see on the equipment. Perform a walk-around of the equipment to identify any defects that could pose a hazard before engaging in the work.
Site assessment: Look around the area to be mowed. Look for any high degree slopes, embankments, or concealed obstructions the operator may encounter.
Slopes and embankments: Don’t use tractors and mowers on steep hills or near drop-offs and embankments. Avoid sudden moves, abrupt starts, stops and sharp turns. These can cause a rollover. Use the roll-over-protective-structure, or ROPS, to provide a safe zone for the operator in the event of a roll-over. Finally, follow the manufacturer’s operator instructions for mowing slopes. If the location is too steep to mow, utilize a string trimmer or treat the area as a no-mow zone and landscape accordingly.
Lawncare equipment noise: Mowers, leaf blowers, and string-trimmers can be loud enough to damage your hearing. Hearing protection should always be worn when operating this equipment. Ear buds or headphones are not an acceptable substitute for proper hearing protection.
Lawncare equipment guarding: Never use a mower or trimmer without all shields and guards in place. Shields and guards protect you from being caught in moving parts and should always be in place and undamaged when operating mowers and trimmers.
Learn more at bwc.ohio.gov and request a consultation or call 1-800-644-6292.
Check out these BWC resources:
Landscapers and mowers safety talk
Mower Safety - YouTube
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 BWC Library question of the month
Question:
We have delivery drivers who encounter dogs and wild animals during their workday. Can you provide information on preventing occupational dog bites? What if a driver is actually bitten by a dog or another animal?
Answer:
Non-venomous animal bites are a real occupational concern! In 2021, there were 2,483 combined Ohio BWC medical-only and lost time claims. The National Safety Council (NSC) recommends to not approach dogs you don’t know and to not run away from dogs, which might trigger them to chase you. NSC also recommends announcing yourself when you arrive in an unfamiliar place. Honking a horn or rattling a fence helps to announce a driver’s presence to avoid startling and potentially aggravating a dog seeking to protect its territory. The National Library of Medicine (NLM) has a helpful article on preventing occupational dog bites. The article gives mitigating strategies to help workers and employers prevent bites.
The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) has a webpage on animal bites and rabies. Prompt medical care must be given to someone who has been bitten by any wild animal, especially an animal with an unknown history of rabies vaccinations or who is suspected of actually having the disease. Getting early treatment is critical! The ODH recommends the following if someone is bitten by an animal:
- Wash the wound with soap and water for 10-15 minutes.
- Call your doctor or hospital emergency room right away.
- Call your local health department to report the incident.
- Capture the animal, if you can do it safely, or get the name and address of the animal's owner.
- If the biting animal is dead, wear gloves or use a shovel to place the animal in a plastic bag in a cold place away from people or other animals.
If you need help with understanding dog bite prevention and/or delivery driver safety, contact BWC’s Division of Safety and Hygiene. Consultation services are free for employers with a BWC policy. Do you have a question for our library? You can submit a question to us, anytime!
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 Other news
CPWR March data bulletin on falls in construction
The Center for Construction Research and Training (CPWR) March data bulletin contains data on fatal and nonfatal falls in the construction industry from 2011-2022. The data tables include fall height, time of day, state, primary sources and more, giving details of how and when falls occur.
The National Stand-Down to Prevent Struck-by Incidents
The National Stand-Down to Prevent Struck-by Incidents is April 15-19, 2024. The website, CPWR Struck-By Hazards has materials you can use to promote the event including toolbox talks, infographics, and webinars. According to CPWR “struck-by incidents are the second leading cause of death among construction workers, and the leading cause of nonfatal injuries in the construction industry.”
National Work Zone Awareness Week
April 15-19, 2024 is National Work Zone Awareness Week. The week encourages safe driving in highway work zones, including moving over for stopped emergency vehicles and flashing lights. The Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) is hosting the kickoff event on April 16 with the theme, "Work Zones are temporary. Actions behind the wheel can last forever.”
The Ohio BWC Library of BWC’s Division of Safety & Hygiene compiles and distributes this newsletter each month.
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BWC's Division of Safety & Hygiene provides a variety of programs, services, and resources to help Ohio employers create a safe and healthy workplace.
Visit bwc.ohio.gov or email BWCDSH@bwc.state.oh.us or call 1-800-644-6292.
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, serving 257,000 public and private employers. With nearly 1,600 employees and assets of approximately $22 billion, BWC is one of the largest state-run insurance systems in the United States. For more, visit bwc.ohio.gov.
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