The Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) Board of Directors recently received details of proposed rules for the newly developed Drug-Free Safety Program (DFSP) designed to promote the health of Ohio’s workforce by preventing workplace injuries attributed to the use or abuse of drugs.
Plans are underway to sunset the current Drug-Free Workplace Program and replace it with DFSP by July 1, 2010. The changes were called for in the recent comprehensive study of Ohio’s workers’ comp system and a collection of safety and business professionals have studied ways to enhance the past program and improve that program’s effectiveness in preventing substance abuse-related injuries. The board is expected to make a final vote on the DFSP when it meets again on March 26.
“A solid substance abuse program in the workplace is essential to preventing injuries and limiting associated increases in workers’ compensation premiums,” said BWC Administrator Marsha Ryan. “The comprehensive study performed by Deloitte Consulting Inc. clearly demonstrates the need for a redesigned program more consistent with similar programs in other states and places a greater emphasis on maintaining drug-free work environments through safety and prevention." See: Drug Testing State Laws http://reduceyourworkerscomp.com/drug-testing-state-laws.php.
The Drug-Free Safety Program simplifies the process for employers to join and implement a program providing measurable results by tracking drug or substance abuse related accidents. The restructured program offers two levels of participation, basic and advanced, and offers premium discounts in the range of four-to-seven percent. (workersxzcompxzkit)
The new program features streamlined safety components meeting the needs in the workplace without overburdening Ohio employers. In addition, the new program is expected to allow some small discount stacking for group employers participating at the advanced level.
Author Robert Elliott, executive vice president, Amaxx Risks Solutions, Inc. has worked successfully for 20 years with many industries to reduce Workers' Compensation costs, including airlines, health care, manufacturing, printing/publishing, pharmaceuticals, retail, hospitality and manufacturing. He can be contacted at: Robert_Elliott@ReduceYourWorkersComp.com or 860-553-6604.
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