Employers who make the most of the safety services offered by the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC) and the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) stand to reap some stunning results, and the experience of one employer in a high-risk industry, commercial construction company Thomas & Marker (T&M) of Bellefontaine and Marysville, illustrates the payback: an 85 percent decrease in workplace accidents since 2002, a 75 percent reduction in comp claims, and a drop of almost 99 percent in its payouts for medical and wage replacement benefits over the past 4 years. BLR talked to Kyle Koschalk, T&M's safety manager, and to Ryan Rekstis, a spokesman for the BWC, to pass their experience on to our readers.

OSHA Challenge Pilot Program. The first and most important move was to set up a safety program directed by a full-time safety officer, says Koschalk, who now serves in that position. In that capacity, Koschalk tapped into the OSHA Challenge Pilot Program, which involves a detailed analysis of company safety processes, both in policy and in practice. The Challenge, administered by the BWC, helps a company identify strengths and weaknesses in preparation for applying for the OSHA Voluntary Protection Program (VPP).

The most difficult aspect of the Challenge, Koschalk said, was an increase in documentation for everyone at the company, and an outreach to include subcontractors in the safety program. "While we had taken every step to ensure subcontractor safety before Challenge, we now must demand even higher performance standards," Koschalk says.

OSHA Voluntary Protection Program. The OSHA Challenge took T&M almost 3 years to complete, but as a result, the company is now eligible to apply for the OSHA VPP acceptance. In the VPP, management, labor, and OSHA establish cooperative relationships at workplaces that have implemented a comprehensive safety and health management system. Approval into VPP is OSHA's official recognition of the outstanding efforts of employers and employees who have achieved exemplary occupational safety and health, a distinction now enjoyed by only 31 contractors nationwide.

OSHA training. T&M also took advantage of OSHA's 10-hour training for all employees working in the field and 30-hour training for supervisors. Many potential construction clients require potential contractors to complete those programs. "We have the ability to gain more jobs because we have these programs," says Koschalk.

BWC consultations. The BWC makes available a wide range of safety consultants who specialize in safety, industrial hygiene, and ergonomics, bringing their expertise on-site to employers' workplaces. Consultation subjects include safety program advice, hazard assessment and control assistance, safety culture/behavior change processes, and safety team/ committee evaluation and design.

Koschalk says that T&M dealt mainly with the BWC's Scott McCormick, who would visit the construction sites with T&M managers, look for hazards, and discuss solutions. "Usually a report would follow documenting what we found and what we did to correct those hazards," Koschalk added.

All Ohio employers with active workers' comp coverage are eligible for the service. For more information on the range of consultation services available, visit the BWC site at www.ohiobwc.com/employer/programs/safety/SandHOnSite.asp.