Wellness Initiative Programs Added to the BWC's Budget Bill

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BWC Administrator/CEO Sarah Morrison announced the wellness initiative at an event in Columbus.

The $44 million initiative, funding for which will come from the bureau's investment income, would launch in January and include $6 million each year for a health and wellness program for Ohioans at small employers in high-risk industries, and for certain injured workers.

The initiative also extends the current annual funding level of $15 million for safety innovation grants. It sets aside $2 million per year for fire departments to purchase equipment designed to minimize exposure to dangerous environmental elements, and $2 million per year for employers who serve people with disabilities.

The BWC will also create a $2 million statewide safety awareness and education campaign focused on slips, trips, falls, overexertion and motor vehicle accidents.

"The best way to protect our workers is to prevent injuries from happening in the first place," Administrator Morrison said.

Lt. Gov. Taylor said the state needs to be a leader in preventing workplace accidents.

"It's important that government helps create an environment for businesses to grow and thrive, but also to do it in as safe a way as possible," she said.

The money to help fire departments will help them purchase new protective equipment or cleaning equipment for that protective clothing, said State Fire Marshal Larry Flowers. Using dirty equipment can increase the risk of exposure to carcinogens, he said.

"Having dirty gear used to be a badge of honor," he said. "It is no longer a badge of honor."

John Martin, director of the Department of Developmental Disabilities, said people who work with the disabled often do so in homes without sufficient space or safety equipment.

"You're not working in an ideal environment," he said.

Director Morrison said the wellness programs will be added to the BWC's budget bill (HB 27).