Here’s some good news for people working and living in Ohio, particularly for those who do jobs that carry some risk of injury. According to the 2013 Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses, there were only three injuries per 100 full-time workers in the state. This is lower than the national average of 3.5 per 100. Overall, since 2012, Ohio has seen a drop of 5 percent in injuries and illnesses on the job.
The Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation administrator that employers working to provide safer workplaces are having a major impact on the drop in worker injuries. Additionally, the BWC offers consulting services to employers in the state who want to help improve safety levels on the job.
For the survey, over 4,000 public and private sector employers participated. While the survey is mandatory, results do help employers who want to see where safety issues need to be addressed. For instance, in businesses where there were 50 to 249 workers, injuries and illnesses took place more often. In businesses with only up to 10 employees, injuries and illnesses happened less often. Using this data, it would be possible to help ramp up safety in larger workplaces while continuing to provide safe environments as necessary in the smaller business settings.
What does this information tell you? While there are some areas where Ohio employers still need to improve, in general, it is better than the national average. Those who are hurt can seek help from the BWC. That agency will also assist employers who need to improve safety at their facilities.
Source: Workers Compensation.com, “Ohio Workplace Injuries and Illnesses Below National Average” Feb. 18, 2015