Workforce Management

Ohio BWC: Safety Intervention Grant Program

Ella Baker
Ohio BWC: Safety Intervention Grant Program
Reading time 4 Mins
Published on Jul 17
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Helping create a safer workplace for your employees

To help ensure that workers have the safest work environment possible, the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) created the Safety Intervention Grant (SIG) Program. This program helps Ohio employers achieve their safety goals by providing financial assistance for the purchase of equipment that helps reduce or eliminate workplace injuries and illnesses, while allowing the BWC to collect information on the effectiveness of workplace safety items. Eligible employers may receive a 3-to-1 matching grant, up to a maximum of $40,000 per eligibility cycle; meaning that BWC provides $3 for every $1 your company contributes. The SIG program is, thus, able to offer your employees healthier working conditions and potentially lower your frequency and severity of workers’ compensation claims.

Eligibility

To qualify for the Safety Intervention Grant Program, the BWC requires that your company meet the following criteria:

  • Be a state-fund private or public taxing district employer;
  • Maintain active coverage – not more than 40 days lapsed in the prior 12 months;
  • Be current on all monies owed BWC;
  • Demonstrate the need for safety intervention;
  • Provide two-year baseline data;
  • Activated BWC coverage at least two years ago and completed sufficient payroll and/or true-up reporting to determine eligibility cycle.

Employers falling into the following categories do not meet the requirements for the SIG program:

  • Employers that pay the minimum administrative charge or only payroll for elective coverage (sole proprietors or partners)
  • Self-insuring employers
  • State agencies
  • State universities

The policy year for the SIG program runs from July 1 to June 30 for private employers and January 1 to December 31 for public employers. BWC determines the eligibility cycle by review of the last full policy year for which payroll information is available.

[fusion_table]

Total payroll reported for the last full policy yearEligibility cycle
Greater than $10,000,000Three years
Greater than $5,000,000 and Less than $10,000,000Five years
Greater than $1,000,000 and Less than $5,000,000Seven years
Less than $1,000,00010 years

[/fusion_table]

 

Application process

If you’re eligible to apply for the SIG program, you will need to schedule a visit with your local BWC customer service office to at least one visit with a BWC consultant prior to submitting your application. The consultant will perform an assessment at your site and notify you of any operational or safety concerns. The consultant’s review will also help assess your company’s overall safety practices and the cost effectiveness of providing a safety grant. The assessment also includes a five-year claims review of your company.

The application process for the SIG program includes the following steps:

  1. Gather information for application
  2. Schedule BWC safety consultant visit
  3. Complete application
  4. Grant application reviewed
  5. Grant approved
  6. Funds distributed
  7. Safety intervention purchased and installed
  8. Submit proof of spending
  9. Provide quarterly reports
  10. Submit one-year case study

Funds from the SIG program may be used for the purchase of ergonomic, safety, and/or industrial hygiene equipment that will help reduce or eliminate injuries or illnesses at your company. While you may test equipment prior to purchase, SIG program funds may not be used to cover the costs of testing. Items requested to be covered by SIG program funds must be pre-approved, and the BWC has a list of unapproved items and those on which the agency has placed a moratorium.

Safety Intervention Grant Program and Sheakley

Receive your no-cost analysis from Sheakley today to learn more and discover if the Safety Intervention grant program is the right choice for your company. Just complete the AC-3 and one of our Workers’ Compensation experts will be in contact soon.

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