Training Marbles Blog

The Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) is retiring it’s current Drug-free Workplace Program (DFWP) as of June 30, 2010, and is replacing it with the new Drug-free Safety Program (DFSP) as of July 1, 2010.

Program Levels:

• Basic – 4% premium discount (NO random testing)
• Advanced – 7% premium discount (15% random testing)
• No 5-year limit

Compatibility with other BWC Programs – DFSP is compatible with: 3% discount for Group-Rated w/Advanced Level DFSP; Safety Council; Wage Continuation in claims with dates of injury prior to 1/1/2011), Small Deductible Program

Safety Requirement:

• Online safety assessment of all participating companies (within 30 days)
• Advanced Level –Safety Action Plan
• Online accident analysis training for ALL Supervisors
• Online accident reporting

Policy – NO major changes

Employee Education –  MINIMUM of 1 hr. annually

Supervisor Training –  MINIMUM of 2 hrs initially and 1 hr in EACH subsequent years

Drug Testing –  Minimum requirement of 5-panel drug test. Pre-employment, post accident, reasonable suspicion, return to duty follow-up and 15% random drug/alcohol testing for Advanced Level participants. SAMSHA has delayed the drug-testing requirements including adding Ecstasy until October 1, 2010

Employee Assistance

• Basic Level: Allows for termination
• Advanced Level: second chance required after 1st positive test except for specific circumstances; Employer must pay for the  initial assessment.

Application Deadline:

• Private Employers:   July Program period – last business day in JUNE (for 2010 only)   January Program period – last business day in October

NOTE: Private employers who are currently in the January DFWP program period should continue participation requirement and enroll for the DFSP program by October 29th for January 2011.

• Public Employers: Last business day in October

Training Marbles will conduct free webinars to review the requirements, answer questions and discuss the DFSP program on the following dates:

• May 6th@10am     https://www1.gotomeeting.com/join/646529225

• May 20th@10am  https://www1.gotomeeting.com/join/68123749

• June 2nd@1pm      https://www1.gotomeeting.com/join/516141801

• June 16th@10am  https://www1.gotomeeting.com/join/139117864

• June 25th@10am  https://www1.gotomeeting.com/join/876186904

Register for the webinar utilizing the corresponding link; each webinar has a unique password, once registered, you will receive a followup email. Please feel free to contact if you have any questions, concerns or to register for the free webinar contact Dyann McDowell,  (614)204-6834