Workforce Management

Ohio BWC: Opioid Workplace Safety Pilot Program

Chelsea Bikner
Opioid Workplace Safety
Reading time 5 Mins
Published on Nov 27
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As our state’s opioid epidemic continues to touch so many lives and impact our community in fundamental ways, including our business sectors, the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) has decided to partner with the Alcohol Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services (ADAMHS) board to help turn the crisis around. The Opioid Workplace Safety Program (OWSP) is in its pilot phase in three Ohio counties and will help employers fill jobs with employees dedicated to their recovery efforts, while also helping employers identify other employees whose addictions had previously gone undetected and get them into treatment. If you’re interested in participating in the OWSP, please read on for more information.

The details

A joint venture of the Alcohol Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services board (ADAMHS) and the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation, this pilot program for Montgomery, Ross and Scioto counties will provide the following for employers that hire workers in recovery:

• Reimbursement for pre-employment, random and reasonable-suspicion drug testing.
• Training for managers/supervisors to better manage and retain workers in recovery.
• A forum for employers to share their success stories and learn from each other.

Partnering with ADAMHS boards and providers of rehabilitation services allows employers to be connected with individuals who are in recovery and have met the requirements mandated by ADAMHS to reenter the workforce. Since many of these workers have faced difficulties in obtaining a job due to their addiction, many employers have found that those in recovery are very grateful for the opportunities given to them and, as a result, are very loyal and dedicated employees.

ADAMHS boards are administering the BWC Opioid Workplace Safety Program in compliance with BWC policy. OWSP Enrollment forms should be sent to your participating county ADAMHS board via email.

• Montgomery: 937-443-0416 or [email protected]
• Ross: 740-773-2283 or [email protected]
• Scioto: 740-354-5648 or [email protected]

Eligibility and participation requirements

Since the program is still in its pilot phase, only employers located in Montgomery, Ross, and Scioto counties that are current on BWC obligations and maintain Active or Reinstated coverage are eligible to participate.

Training

The ADAMHS board in each participating county offers specialized training to your company’s managers and owners to equip them to effectively lead employees who are in recovery. While participation in the training is not required, BWC does encourage all participating businesses to take advantage of this training opportunity. OWSP training also satisfies the Drug-Free Safety Program supervisor training requirements.

BWC will reimburse for the following training costs:

• BWC will reimburse the actual cost up to a maximum of $300 per hour for two hours ($600 maximum) of initial supervisor training, and the actual cost up to a maximum of $300 per hour for two hours of monthly ongoing training ($600 maximum), for up to one year.
• Annual online refresher training with a knowledge assessment quiz is reimbursable. BWC will reimburse the actual cost up to a maximum of $30 per supervisor with a maximum total of $1,200 per employer.
• BWC will reimburse the actual cost up to a maximum of $300 for a webinar at least one hour in length as an annual refresher training provided by a qualified professional.

Testing

The OWSP provides reimbursement for pre-employment, random, and reasonable-suspicion drug testing. All requests for reimbursement are to be made via email to the ADAMHS board in your county.

Following completion of training or after drug testing results are obtained, complete the reimbursement form and attach your W-9. You will receive reimbursement 45 days from your initial request in the program and within 30 days for subsequent requests.

BWC will reimburse the cost of Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration-approved drug screenings for eligible employees. An eligible employee is an employee in an active recovery program or who has completed a recovery program. BWC requires a minimum 12-panel test and will reimburse up to the 16-panel test not to exceed the BWC fee schedule.

Reporting requirements

The following information will be gathered by the ADAMHS boards when an employer applies for reimbursement:

Training reimbursement data required for each employer includes:
• Employer name.
• Total reimbursement for training.
• Number of managers and supervisors trained.
• Participants’ names and job titles.
• Training vendor(s).

Drug testing reimbursement data required for each employer includes:
• Employer name.
• Total reimbursement for drug testing.
• Number of employees tested.
• Testing results of employees, broken down by basis for the drug test, as follows:

o Pre-employment drug tests (total passed/total failed).
o Random drug tests (total passed/total failed).
o Reasonable suspicion (total passed/total failed).

Quarterly reporting by each employer to the ADAMHS board the following information:
• Number of employees in recovery retained to date.
• Number of employees in recovery promoted within the company.
• Number of employees in recovery removed from employment.
• Customer service skills rating for employees in recovery, rated generally as:

o Poor.
o Fair.
o Good.
o Excellent

• Employer comments.

Opioid Workplace Safety Pilot Program and Sheakley

Effective workplace safety programs, like the Opioid Workplace Safety Program, can have positive health outcomes for employees. Such programs require a commitment from you, the employer, to ensure that you properly administer the program internally, allowing employees to get the most benefit from the program. Contact Sheakley today to talk to one of Sheakley’s Safety experts and to learn more and discover if the Opioid Workplace Safety Pilot Program is the right choice for your company.

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