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Act by May 28th to Select OCA's Endorsed MCO

May is Open Enrollment, and now is the time to make sure that Sedgwick Managed Care Ohio is your managed care organization (MCO) for workers’ compensation. Sedgwick MCO (formerly CompManagement Health Systems) is the Ohio Contractors Association’s trusted partner. Sedgwick MCO helps our members navigate the workers’ compensation claims process, help employees recover and return to work, and control costs. This is an essential component of OCA’s workers’ compensation program.

What does an MCO do for me?

Your MCO plays a vital role in your ability to control claim costs, care for injured employees, and preserve options for premium savings. MCOs are involved in every claim to organize the medical treatment, facilitate return-to-work, and process medical bills. Sedgwick is Ohio’s largest workers’ compensation MCO, serving over 114,000 employers*.

No cost enrollment

If you already use Sedgwick MCO, no action is required on your part to maintain this important resource. But if not, CLICK HERE to enroll and learn more about Sedgwick MCO and the importance of the MCO role to your organization and your employees. Enrollment is easy and there is no cost.

You can also contact David Merz at Sedgwick MCO at 614-619-0201 or by email at [email protected].

*BWC Public Demographic Data, January 2021

News

OCA’s Annual State of the Association was held virtually last Thursday, May 6. The program featured association updates from the 2021 Chair of the Board, Brad Miller of Miller Bros. Const., Inc., and OCA staff. Click here to watch a recording of the program.

For more information about OCA Chapter events, contact Director of Chapter Development Melanie Kitchen at [email protected].

Distracted Driving Legislation Introduced in the Ohio House of Representatives

On Monday, May 3 lead-sponsor Representative Cindy Abrams (R- Harrison) and joint-sponsor Representative Brian Lampton (R- Fairborn) introduced HB 283. This bill, similar to the proposal outlined by Governor DeWine, would make distracted driving a primary offense in Ohio. Key provisions of the bill are:

• Defines an “electronic wireless communication device (“device”) to include not only cell phones but also tablets, laptops, and other devices.

• Prohibits using, holding, or physically supporting a device while driving and makes it a primary offense, allowing an officer to cite a driver for using a device without any other traffic offenses taking place.

• Includes language similar to texting bans in 48 states by prohibiting, sending, or reading text-based communications while driving.

• Extends texting bans to also ban all non-navigational viewing such as watching or recording videos, taking photos or looking at images, live streaming, and using applications while driving.

• Provides exemptions for voice-operated/hands-free use, emergency situations, and for first responders along with a “single swipe.”

• Protects construction zone workers while imposing twice the amount imposed for a violation for an offense committed in a construction zone.

• Creates a tiered penalty and enforcement section that establishes both monetary penalties and points aligning the offense with similar dangerous vehicle infractions.

• Addresses the concern of excessive traffic fines, permitting the offender to take a distracted driving safety course in lieu of the $150 fine for first offenses.

• Provides protections of civil liberties. Law enforcement officers are required to inform the driver of the right to decline a search of their device. Unless voluntary consent is given, law enforcement officers shall not access or confiscate the driver’s device without warrant.

• Requires reporting by law enforcement agencies of the race of all individuals cited for distracted driving offenses and requires that information to be submitted to the Attorney General. The Attorney General is required to compile that information and submit an annual report to the Governor and General Assembly. Demographic data collection and reporting creates accountability and ensures the law is being enforced equitably, regardless of race.

We are grateful to Representatives Abrams and Lampton for their work on this issue and for specifically recognizing the need to protect the lives of the men and women working along Ohio roadways by doubling fines for distracted driving offenses occurring in work zones.

We plan to be an active supporter of HB 283 and will keep you appraised as the bill moves through the legislative process. If you have questions or would like to participate by sharing your story about distracted driving and work zone safety, please reach out to Michelle Holdgreve, OCA Legislative Director, at [email protected]

OSHA Moves to Finalize COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standard

On April 26, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) submitted its draft COVID-19 ETS to the White House for final review. The review process generally takes a few weeks to no more than 90 days. Given the pressure the White House is under from organized labor, worker advocacy groups and Democrats, it is expected that the review process will be expedited. While there has been very limited opportunity to engage in the rulemaking process, AGC, along with their coalition partners met with the White House on Friday, April 30 to raise concerns about the process, question the need for such a rule after more than a year in the pandemic and highlight the efforts and successes of the construction industry to protect construction workers from the outset of the pandemic.

OCA will continue to monitor this process and provide updates in future newsletters.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Mark Potnick in the OCA office.

OCA PAC

Thank you to everyone that contributed to the OCA PAC in 2020. A total of $69,168.00 was raised and allowed OCA to support those legislators willing to listen and even take the lead on issues important to the heavy/highway industry.

So far this year a total of $34,493.26 has been raised.

Thanks again to everyone and please keep the contributions coming. The PAC is an essential part of our advocacy efforts and is totally dependent on the generosity of members willing to make a difference. Your contributions, in any amount, are greatly appreciated.

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Safety Talks Blinded by the Light

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