#062 – Ohio BWC Expands Their “Better You, Better Ohio!” Workplace Wellness Program

/ portagecsc

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-3p68c-a0eb93

The Ohio BWC has expanded their Better You, Better Ohio! workplace wellness program to include employers up to 150 employees! In this interview replay, Mark Clendenin, Ohio BWC Regional Business Development Manager for Northeastern Ohio, sits down with us to talk about the ins & outs of this program aimed at helping employers promote health & wellness at their workplaces. Click here for more info!

Why Workplace Wellness: December 2018 Safety & Hygiene Corner

/ portagecsc

Provided by the Ohio BWC safety consultants.

Question: Why should I bother with a Wellness Program at my Company?

Answer: There is a lot of talk recently about wellness programs in the safety world.  Especially in Ohio,since the BWC has rolled out the Better You, Better Ohio free wellness program for Ohio Employees that work in high risk industries. 

 So, a big question is: Why should a company want a wellness program?  Employees are your most important asset – so you want them healthy! Let’s review just a few other reasons you want healthier employees: 

  1. Fewer injuries and if injured they recover quicker
  2. Less absenteeism and more presenteeism – Boost Productivity!
  3. Boost morale, reduce stress, create a sense of accomplishment, reduce depression and build community at work
  4. Lower healthcare costs and good return on investment.  Studies show for every $1 spent on health intervention employees recoup $1.40 to $4.60 in avoided medical cost and productivity losses.

 These are just a few reasons and they sound pretty good!  If you are eligible, consider promoting the BWC Better You, Better Ohio free wellness program. If you are a larger company, it still makes sense.  You can also talk with your insurance carrier, they may have programs to assist you as well. 

 

Dec. 19, 2018 – Trench Safety Conference

/ portagecsc

Please Note: this is not a PCSC sponsored event but does qualify for 1 external training credit for PCSC members.

The Stark County Safety Council is very excited to partner with OSHA to present a “Trench Safety Conference”. This special event should be attended by your field workers, safety professionals and anyone that needs to learn more about keeping workers safe in trench and excavating operations.

Click here for more information.

December 13, 2018 – The Real Cost of Safety

/ portagecsc

All members (including prepaid members) please RSVP online.

Greetings Safety Council Members!

Our next meeting is Thursday, December 13, 2018, 11:30am-1:00pm, at the Ravenna Elks Club which is located at 776 N Freedom St in Ravenna.  The official meeting notice is attached.

Our topic for this month is…

The True Cost of Safety, Rich McElhaney, Health & Safety Keynote Speaker.

You’re invited to a candid discussion with Mr. Richard McElhaney as he talks about the effects of traumatic injuries not only on the employee but on the family, coworkers, and the company.

Mr. McElhaney will also speak about six accident reduction techniques that had the greatest impact over his 26 years in the health and safety field.  He will reveal what the real costs are of being safe.

He will revisit the importance of the Job Safety Analysis (JSA) as a preplanning tool.  “JSA’s have been around for many years, but they have become complacent on many projects globally.”  Mr. McElhaney will review in detail an injury that occurred on one of his projects and how the use of JSA’s would have prevented the injury and how the JSA process turned things around.

This training is ideal for CEO’s, safety managers, HR and all staff!

Please RSVP no later than 12pm on Monday, December 10, 2018.

CLICK HERE TO RSVP NOW 

Please make your check payable to: “Portage County Safety Council.” Cost for lunch is still just $15/person for members and $20 for non-members (there’s a $5 fee for walk-ins including members who do not RSVP by deadline).

HOLIDAY FOOD DRIVE!!!

Please consider donating non-perishable food items to help those in need this holiday season! Receive 1 drawing ticket for a $25 restaurant gift card for every item donated! Donations will go to Kent Social Services.

CELEBRATE THE HOLIDAYS!!!

Just for fun, let’s celebrate the holiday by wearing your favorite ugly sweater, Christmas/holiday shirt, Santa hat, etc.

This Meeting is Sponsored By Ving!

image.png

Jan. 22, 2019 – OSHA Recordkeeping

/ portagecsc

Please Note: this is not a PCSC sponsored event but does qualify for 1 external training credit for PCSC members.

Click here for more information.

Join the Summit County Safety Council for a breakfast seminar about OSHA recordkeeping. With the current online reporting requirement, it is more important than ever to have your OSHA 300 log accurate. Those responsible for creating, updating and signing the OSHA Recordkeeping documents should join us. Public employers who fall under PERRP requirements will obtain valuable knowledge about logs and submission as well.

Objectives:

  • Overview of OSHA recordkeeping requirements for workplace injuries and illnesses
  • The correct use of the OSHA recordkeeping forms
  • Review of how to complete the OSHA 300 Log OSHA online reporting rule and how to comply

Presented by Cari Gray, CSP, Industrial Safety Consultant Specialist, Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC)

Cari has been a Safety Consultant with the BWC since May 2005. She works with a diverse range of companies in many different industries, from public entities to a wide variety of private companies. She helps customers evaluate their current safety situations, set goals and create plans of action to successfully achieve their goals. She also teaches many safety related classes for the BWC. Prior to working at the BWC, Cari was an Environmental, Safety and Health Manager for General Electric. She also worked in the Safety Department of an automotive based company, after
graduating from The Ohio State University in 1999. Cari is very passionate about the safety and health of Ohio employees. Her philosophy is based around top management commitment, employee involvement and personal responsibility. Her time outside of work is happily spent with her husband and two children.

 

November 2018 Newsletter

/ portagecsc

Welcome to the 12th edition of our new monthly newsletter!

Our goal for the newsletter is to connect our members to relevant safety resources, all linked together in one convenient location every month. We hope you find this resource useful and valuable!

Please share with your colleagues!

SAFETY RESOURCES:

  1. Episode 56 – Safety Blast: Winter Walking-Working Surfaces Standard. Cari Gray, Safety Consultant Specialist for the Ohio BWC, gives us a snapshot of OSHA’s walking-working surfaces standards in regards to inclement winter weather often experienced in Northeast Ohio and beyond! (2:19)
  2. Episode 57 – Ladder Safety. Dave Dennison, Safety Specialist at Flaherty Sales (Werner Co), joins us after his presentation at the Northeast Ohio Safety Expo to discuss ladder safety! (13:42)
  3. November’s Safety Update from the Ohio BWC Library. Each edition provides up-to-date news & safety information.
  4. Fire Extinguisher Inspections: Nov 2018 Safety & Hygiene Corner. Provided by Ohio BWC Safety Consultants.
  5. 5 Benefits Of Having A Safety Culture During An Emergency. Article provided by Ving!
  6. PCSC Podcasts: Our podcasts are now available on iTunes, Spotify, Google Play, Podbean, & Stitcher! Access local & relevant workplace safety information right through your phone!

WINTER DRIVING SAFETY:

  1. Episode 11 – How to Stay Safe Driving in the Winter. In this interview, Lori Cook, Traffic Safety Advisor for AAA East Central NEO joins us to discuss how to stay safe driving in winter weather. (13:11)
  2. Episode 10 – Safety Talk: Winter Driving Safety. Lori Cook, Traffic Safety Advisor for AAA East Central NEO shares how to stay safe on the road in the winter. (7:18) This episode would make a great tool box talk!
  3. Episode 9 – How to Prepare Your Vehicle for the Winter. Vince Stropko and Lori Cook of AAA East Central NEO join us on this Safety Chat to discuss how to prepare your vehicle(s) for the winter. (11:02)
  4. Episode 8 – Safety Talk: Winter Vehicle Prep. Vince Stropko, Approved Auto Repair Rep for AAA East Central NEO, provides tips on how to prep your vehicle for that frigid Northeast Ohio winter! (3:15) This episode would make a great tool box talk!

 

PCSC NEWS:

  1. NEXT MEETING: Thursday, December 13, 2018, 11:30am-1:00pm. Our topic is The True Cost of Safety and it will be presented by Rich McElhaney, VP Safety & Risk Management, Allied Insurance Brokers/Ascinsure. RSVP deadline is 12pm on Monday, December 10th.
  2. SARA, LEPC & Company Compliance (Live): Audio from last month’s monthly meeting is now available!
  3. Certifications: 25 PCSC members completed their Mental Health First Aid certification last month! Good work & congratulations!

PROGRAM UPDATES:

  • BWC Updates: These are the power points presented by BWC Representative Nic Coia at our monthly meetings.
  • Monthly Meeting Power Points. We post them on our website after the presenters send them to us and give us permission to publish. If the speaker provides additional info, we’ll post it there as well.
  • External Training Credit Opportunities: We post them on our blog as outside organizations send them to us. A maximum of 2 external training credits are allowed per program year to help members earn the 10 minimum attendance credits required by the rebate. Please Note: ETC certificates of completion must be submitted by June 30 every year in order to qualify. Click here for ETC guidelines.
  • Rebate Participation Spreadsheet. Rebate eligible members can review how close they are to fulfilling the minimum rebate eligibility requirements by reviewing the Participation Spreadsheet which is typically updated on a monthly basis. Please Note: Updates won’t begin until the first of the year.