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Sponsored by BWC Division of Safety & Hygiene & Middlefield Chamber of Commerce
Directors/Board Members FY07
Kathy McClure, Chairman
Colleen Lockhart, Chairman Elect
Vivian Montgomery, Secretary
Jim O’Reilly, Treasurer
Sandy Christenson, Comm. Rep.
Jean Young, Chamber Liaison
Joan McAllister, BWC Liaison
Margie Darling
Dean Fuller
Kay Henrickson
Mary Wheeler
Our Charter Members
Charter Membership is a lifetime membership and was offered only the first year the Council was established. The membership was awarded to businesses who supported the Safety Council in helping to make a mark towards safety in the Geauga area.
Dillen Products
Duramax Marine, LLC
Edmonds Elevator Co.
Excel Polymers, LLC
Intellipak, Ltd.
Johnson Rubber
Johnsonite, Inc.
KraftMaid Cabinetry
Metal Coatings International, Inc.
Polychem Dispersions, Inc.
Rhein Chemie Corporation
Waste Management
Introduction
“Safety is Priority One!” That is the tagline that best describes the Geauga Safety Council. Established in July of 2006, the Safety Council grew in leaps and bounds during its first year with over 90 businesses sending representatives to monthly luncheon meetings which promote strategies to increase safety and health in both the workplace and the community.
Currently, more than 9000 Ohio businesses in 76 safety councils participate in this program. In addition to receiving critical information to make a safer workplace, companies are rewarded for learning. Checks disbursed, by the Bureau of Workers Compensation (BWC) in October of 2006 to 4300 Ohio employers for the FY05, totaled $22 million in Workers Compensation discounts through the safety council program.
Businesses can obtain up to a four percent discount by meeting all the eligibility requirements and certain performance benchmarks. Employers must meet all the following eligibility requirements to earn a two percent premium reduction:
- Enroll with the Geauga Safety Council by July 31, 2007.
- Attend 10 meetings or events, at least eight through the Safety Council in which your company is enrolled. Employers have the option to gain credit for up to two meetings through attendance at Workers Compensation University (WCU), Ohio Safety Congress, Department of Safety and Hygiene (DSH) safety training courses or industry-specific training.
- CEO (highest ranking authority) must attend any one Safety Council sponsored function or meeting.
- Submit semi-annual reports for the calendar year.
Employers can also earn an additional two percent performance bonus for reducing either frequency or severity by 10% (or more) below the previous year’s frequency or severity, or employers who maintain both frequency and severity at zero. Employers must meet all four of the eligibility requirements outlined above to be eligible for the performance bonus.
School systems, townships, and municipalities are welcome to join, as well as nonprofit and self-insured companies. There are no dues associated with becoming a Geauga Safety Council member. To enroll in the Geauga Safety Council, complete and submit an enrollment form no later than July 31st. For more information, contact any member of the safety council’s steering committee or email: safety@middlefieldcc.com
Enrollment Eligibility
Enrollment in the Geauga Safety Council is open to all state funded companies, public employers and state agencies in the area. Accident statistics are used for the purpose of determining eligibility for safety awards and are not reported to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration or any other enforcement agency.
Incentive Program
Employers actively participating in the safety council program July 1st through June 30th, can earn a two-percent discount for meeting all of the eligibility requirements and a two-percent performance bonus for reducing either frequency or severity by 10 percent, or with maintenance of both frequency and severity at zero. An employer must meet all eligibility requirements outlined below to be eligible for the performance bonus.
In order to meet the criteria, “Active” members must:
- Be enrolled in the safety council by July 31st.
- Send representatives to 10 meetings or events, at least 8 meeting with the Geauga Safety Council between July 1st and June 30th. Employers have the option to gain credit for up to two meetings through attendance at Workers Compensation University (WCU), Ohio Safety Congress, Division of Safety and Hygiene (DSH) training courses or industry-specific training. (See special instructions below)
- WCU (maximum of one meeting credit for event) - Employers must attend at least one breakout session, follow instructions for continuing education and submit documentation to the Geauga Safety Council.
- Ohio Safety Congress & Expo (maximum of one meeting credit for event) - Employers must attend at least one educational session, follow instructions for continuing education and submit documentation to the Geauga Safety Council.
- Division of Safety & Hygiene Training Courses (Maximum of one meeting credit per course) - Employers must attend any scheduled course, download a certificate from BWC’s Learning Center and submit documentation to the Geauga Safety Council.
- Industry-Specific Safety Training (maximum of one meeting credit per scheduled training) - Employers must obtain attendance documentation and submit to the Geauga Safety Council.
- Have a qualified senior management representative CEO/CFO, superintendent, president, plant manager or owner) attend any one of the Geauga Safety Council’s functions or meetings. CEO attendance counts as credit toward one of the 10 meetings required.
- Submit semi-annual reports for the calendar year.
Semi-Annual Reports
Employers are required to submit two semi-annual reports to the Safety Council. One for the six month period of January 1st through June 30th. The second for the six month period of July 1st through December 31st. The first report is due July 15th; second report is due January 15th. Figures should be taken from payroll records. Holiday and vacation hours should not be reported.
Attendance Requirements
Any representative of the employer is welcome to attend in order to meet the eligibility requirement. A person can only represent one policy number with their attendance at a safety council’s meeting or event.
Luncheon/Meetings
Registration begins at 11:15 a.m. Luncheon/meeting starts at 11:30 a.m. Regular meetings are held the first Friday of each month at Fowler’s Mill Golf Course, 13095 Rockhaven Rd., Chesterland (unless otherwise advised). Cost is $15.00 for members that report to BWC and $20.00 for self-insured members.
Check Distribution
In October, those employers meeting all eligibility requirements will be presented a workers’ compensation premium discount check at a special event. All eligibility requirements must be met through the safety council which the employer is enrolled. Members cannot attend another safety council’s meetings and receive credit. Employers have the option to earn credit for up to two meetings through attendance at WCU, Safety Congress, DSH safety training courses or industry-specific training.
The premium discount to employers will be in addition to any Drug Free Workplace (DFWP), Premium Discount Program + (PDP+), and/or group rating discounts. The employer must have active coverage status and no outstanding balance with BWC. The discount is applied to eligible employer premiums after program discounts, but prior to approved dividends.
Private employers will have the discount applied to premium from July 1st through June 30th.
Public employers will have the discount applied to premium from January 1st through December 31st (paid in May and September).
Commonly Asked Questions:
Q. If I am currently enrolled in a safety council, do I need to reenroll for the new incentive program year?
A. No. However, if an employer is switching from one safety council to another, they must advise the safety council where they are currently a member that they will no longer be a member of that particular safety council. The employer must fill out an enrollment form with the safety council in which they will be joining.
Q. I have not met the attendance requirements, may I attend another safety council’s meeting in order to qualify for the incentive program?
A. No. The employer must attend at least eight of the ten required meetings through the Safety Council in which their company is enrolled. However, employers have the option to gain credit for up to two meetings through attendance at Workers Compensation University (WCU), Ohio Safety Congress, Department of Safety and Hygiene (DSH) safety training courses or industry-specific training.
Q. I did not receive a check at the check distribution meeting in October?
A. If an employer with the same BWC policy number is a member of more than one safety council (separate location, separate city), the check will be distributed at the safety council who holds their meeting first in October. In addition, some employers will not receive a check if the refund amount is less than $5.00 or if an employer has an outstanding balance with BWC.
Annual Awards Program
In order to recognize companies for their excellence in safety, the Geauga Safety Council will host an awards program for the presentation of annual awards. Certificates will be awarded for the previous calendar year’s activities.
Employer Awards
Employers are placed in groups according to their type of business.
Groups include:
- Large Manufacturing Company (200+ Employees)
- Medium Manufacturing Company (100-200 Employees)
- Small Manufacturing Company (under 100 Employees)
- Health
- Schools
- Construction
- Government
- Service
- Entertainment
- Retail
- Agricultural/Horticulture
BWC presents awards in keeping with their yearly criteria. Awards are presented to qualifying businesses in the following categories:
- Group Award – Lowest incident rate in each group.
- 100% Award – Zero injuries or illnesses resulting in a day or more away from work in the previous calendar year.
- Achievement Award – Twenty-Five percent (25%) reduction in incident rate from the previous year.
- Special Award – At least 500,000 hours and at least six months without an injury resulting in a day or more away from work.
Opportunities Available to Geauga Safety Council Members
NETWORKING – Networking can help you improve your business performance, products and staff skills. It provides opportunities for you to develop your knowledge and skills. It can help you gather new leads. Networking can also be a key source to information and support.
SPONSORSHIP – Spotlight your company by sponsoring one of the Geauga Safety Council’s meetings or events. Sponsorship provides the employer with:
As a sponsor your company:
- Will be recognized and introduced to the membership
- May address the Safety Council membership for five minutes.
- May distribute literature and promotional items at each place setting.
- Will be provided a table to setup an exhibit
- May place a 4” x 5” ad in the previous month’s Newsletter.
- May collect business cards for a door prize (provided by the sponsor).
Sponsorship is limited to one company at each meeting. Cost is $195.
If your company is interested in being spotlighted at a Safety Council meeting, please email: safety@middlefieldcc.com or call 440-632-9800
NEWSLETTER AD – Businesses also have the opportunity to place an ad in the Geauga Safety Council’s monthly newsletter for $50.
Ads may also be placed in the program for the Awards Ceremony at a cost of $50.
Download these Guidelines in PDF Format
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