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As the harvest season ramps up, the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation is here to support Ohio’s agricultural community with valuable resources designed to enhance workplace safety. These services are offered at no cost to employers, helping to ensure that a safer and more productive harvest season is the main priority.

Customized programs to meet your business needs

Many Ohio farmers and ag business owners have already taken advantage of our safety consultations, finding them invaluable for maintaining smooth operations. Consultation services are a benefit covered by the cost of your policy premiums and are available at no additional cost. Our BWC health and safety consultants are a valuable resource to help Ohio business owners prevent injuries or illnesses to create safer operations and drive down workers compensation costs. Additional benefits may include improved worker morale, increased productivity, and enhanced safety and health management systems.

Whether you’re operating a small family farm, a large industrial agricultural operation, or an agribusiness, a BWC safety consultant can help you establish a basic safety program tailored specifically to your business needs.

What happens during a safety consultation?

During your consultation, a safety and health professional will help identify workplace hazards and opportunities to proactively reduce risk of injury and/or occupational illness. High risk areas of concern impacting the agriculture industry that our consultants provide assistance and guidance include:

Machine guarding and confined spaces – Tractors, harvesters, and other heavy machinery due to entanglement, rollovers, or improper use pose a significant risk to life and limb. Confined space work, including working in silos, tanks or grain bins pose a significant risk of suffocation or engulfment. BWC safety consultants can help you evaluate your operations for proactive opportunities to protect your workforce.

Exposure to chemical, biological and environmental hazards – Risks from pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers can cause respiratory problems, skin conditions, or long-term health issues. Exposure to dust, mold, and animal dander can lead to respiratory conditions like asthma or farmer’s lung. Additionally, pathogens can be transmitted from animals to humans, such as avian influenza or brucellosis. BWC industrial hygiene consultants can assist in evaluating chemical exposure to protect your employee’s health and wellness today, tomorrow and long into the future.

Physical strain – Many agricultural professions are physically intensive. Injuries from repetitive tasks, heavy lifting and awkward postures are not only costly to the bottom line and productivity, but also have a significant impact on the quality of life of injured workers. BWC ergonomic consultants are experts in reducing these risks and making your employees more comfortable on the job.

While safety during harvest is crucial, good safety practices should be a year-round focus! Contact your local BWC service office, call 800-644-6292, or submit a request online to learn how the BWC can partner with you to improve the safety of your ag business.

Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation has the safety resources you need

Established in 1912, the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation is the exclusive provider of workers’ compensation insurance in Ohio, serving 257,000 public and private employers. With nearly 1,600 employees and assets of approximately $22 billion, BWC is one of the largest state-run insurance systems in the United States. For more, visit bwc.ohio.gov