The Ohio Bureau of Workers Compensation (BWC)
recently awarded safety intervention grants totaling more than $265,000 to Ohio employer. BWC designed the Safety Intervention Grant Program to assist Ohio employers in reducing illnesses and injuries and to create a partnership with them to establish best practices for accident and injury prevention.
“The biggest impact of these grants will be in helping the recipients’ employees avoid injuries resulting from the manual handling of material,” said BWC Administrator/CEO Steve Buehrer. “Repetitive motion while handling materials can cause long-term health issues, and I applaud these companies for taking ergonomics into consideration and making the changes necessary to protect their workers.”
Ohio private and public employers are eligible for safety intervention grants, which include a 2-to-1 matching amount up to a maximum of $40,000 for a total of $60,000 – $20,000 from the employer and $40,000 from BWC. Quarterly data reports and follow-up case studies help BWC determine the effectiveness of employers’ safety interventions and establish best practices.
The following are a list of businesses that received grants from BWC:
Auto Gate Inc. (Erie County)
BWC awarded $40,000 to purchase an enclosed paint booth to reduce the risk of injury related to chemical exposure from spray painting. Auto Gate manufactures security gates and fencing for business and residential.
Cheeseman LLC (Mercer County)
BWC awarded $40,000 to purchase dock plates and repair damaged dock positions to reduce the risk of injury from slips, trips and falls; cuts and lacerations; and manual material handling while loading and unloading product from trucks. Cheeseman LLC is a leading provider in less-than-truckload and truckload services.
Cincinnati Preserving Company, dba Clearbrook Farms (Hamilton County)
BWC awarded $7,344.67 to purchase a vacuum lift system and freestanding workstation jib crane to reduce the risk of injury related to manual material handling, forceful exertions and deficient postures. Cincinnati Preserving has produced fruit preserves and pie fillings since 1924.
Frost Roofing Inc. (Auglaize County)
BWC awarded $17,640.05 to purchase Accutrac, Accuseam and Rhinotrac tools to reduce the ergonomic risk factors related to repetitive motion and awkward postures as insulation and roofing membrane are installed with screws and plates. Frost Roofing is a full service-roofing contractor for both residential and commercial fields.
Leonard Williams Masonry Inc. (Licking County)
BWC awarded $39,995.66 to purchase a hydraulic scaffolding to reduce the risk of injury such as sprains and strains, which are related to manual material handling that occurs while workers erect scaffolding by hand. Leonard Williams Masonry provides residential and commercial masonry work.
Oxford Township (Tuscarawas County)
BWC awarded $36,633.60 to purchase a pothole-patching machine to reduce the ergonomic risk factors, such as strains and sprains, associated with manual material handling while repairing streets and roadways. Oxford Township is a public employer providing street repair and maintenance services to the township.
SCS Construction Services Inc. (Hamilton County)
BWC awarded $39,795.13 to purchase a self-propelled scraper, electric scaffold, wall/floor scanner, drywall screw guns, reciprocating saws, rotary hammer kits, Cutquik Cart for cutoff saw, dual disc floor grinder and powered carpet puller. These items will help reduce the risk of injury related to manual material handling. SCS provides commercial construction, demolition and remodeling services.
Spring Meadows Extended Care Facility (Lucas County)
BWC awarded $3,996.66 to purchase a pivot assist to reduce the risk of injury such as sprains and strains related to manual patient handling. Spring Meadows is a 100 bed skilled nursing, longer-term care and rehabilitation facility.
Troy Innovative Instruments Inc. (Geauga County)
BWC awarded $40,000 to purchase an automated passivation and cleaning unit to reduce the risk of injury related to repetitive motion and awkward postures, in addition to citric or nitric acid exposure. Troy Innovative is a manufacturer of medical implants and instruments.
Author Michael B. Stack, CPA, Director of Operations, Amaxx Risk Solutions, Inc. is an expert in employer communication systems and part of the Amaxx team helping companies reduce their workers compensation costs by 20% to 50%. He is a writer, speaker, and website publisher. www.reduceyourworkerscomp.com. Contact: mstack@reduceyourworkerscomp.com.
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