For Immediate Release: Jan. 29, 2008

BWC Focuses on Improving Safety Rates for Ohio’s Urban Cities

GARFIELD HEIGHTS – The Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) brought together more than a dozen leaders from cities across the state in an effort to improve safety and help reduce workers’ compensation costs for each municipality. Cities rank among the highest for workplace injuries and many communities struggle with high premium rates as a result.

“Public entities traditionally have limited budgets and face unique challenges when it comes to developing the tools needed for employee safety and the successful management of workers’ compensation costs,” said BWC Administrator Marsha Ryan. “To meet this challenge, BWC has developed a strategy to utilize its value-added services to assist Ohio cities in planning and achieving positive results in the reduction of workplace injuries, while lowering the cost to taxpayers.”

The day-long session focused on ways to manage safety and training, information about rate making, cost control strategies and claims management. Participants also heard from representatives of the City of Canton who demonstrated how their successful workers' compensation program has benefited that community. The event was coordinated by a BWC workgroup, tasked with helping public employers better manage their workers’ compensation and safety programs.

Twenty-nine representatives from 13 cities participated in today’s activities, representing the cities of: Cleveland, Youngstown, Columbus, Toledo, Akron, Dayton, Canton, Euclid, Shaker Heights, Parma, Cleveland Heights, East Cleveland and Garfield Heights. Ohio’s city and county governments employ more than 231,000 people.

BWC has conducted similar outreach to Ohio’s largest school districts, meeting several times over the past year. “We have seen how much the school districts have benefited by learning from one another and we’re excited to provide a similar opportunity for success to Ohio cities,” Ryan added.

Regardless if an employer is public or private, BWC has a wealth of information and programs to assist in improving workplace safety and better managing workers’ compensation costs. To learn more, call 1-800-OHIOBWC or visit ohiobwc.com.

Contact: Ryan Rekstis
Ryan.R.1@bwc.state.oh.us

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