As a long-standing partner of the Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce, V+A Risk Services plays a key role in helping our members protect their employees, manage risk, and save on workers’ compensation premiums through the Chamber’s Group Rating Program. Serving as the program’s third-party administrator, V+A provides expert guidance on claims management, safety best practices, and BWC compliance—ensuring participating businesses not only realize cost savings but also foster safer, more productive workplaces.
In this update, V+A Risk Services shares important news from the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC), OSHA, and the Ohio Legislature, including recent changes that impact penalties, payroll reporting, unemployment system funding, and safety grant opportunities.
In this update, V+A Risk Services shares important news from the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC), OSHA, and the Ohio Legislature, including recent changes that impact penalties, payroll reporting, unemployment system funding, and safety grant opportunities.
OSHA Reduction of Fines
OSHA has recently released updated guidance on penalty and debt collection procedures. This was done to make it easier for employers, especially small businesses, to fix hazards quickly and stay in compliance. This new policy increases penalty reduction for small employers, allowing investment into hazard abatement to keep workers safe. For example, a penalty reduction level of 70%, which used to only apply to businesses with 10 or fewer employees, now extends to those with up to 25 employees. This policy also adds a 15% penalty reduction for employers who take immediate steps to correct a hazard after it has been identified. For more information click HERE.
True-Up Deadline
Employers are now able to complete their mandatory payroll True-up report. The deadline to complete this is now August 31st. There will be no grace period for the current policy year and moving forward, so make sure to get this done as soon as possible. If you need help completing your true-up report the BWC has a step-by-step video you can watch HERE. For any additional information you can visit their website HERE. Please don't hesitate to reach out with any questions.
Unemployment News to Watch
The state of Ohio has introduced 2 House Bills in the Ohio Legislature that would try to help the Ohio Unemployment System remain solvent.
HB 376 would serve to reduce the time that an individual can receive benefits in a claim from 26 weeks down to 20 weeks.
HB 321 would reach solvency through 2 different angles.
BWC Reopens Safety Grant Program
The BWC has reopened the Safety Grants program, which assists employers in purchasing equipment to significantly reduce their risk of workplace injury. The program has over $41 million available to employers for the fiscal year of 2026.
This program is accepting applications for 3 grants: the Safety Intervention Grant, the Firefighter Exposure to Environmental Elements Grant, and the School Safety and Security Grant.
For more information of eligibility for these grants please click HERE.
OSHA has recently released updated guidance on penalty and debt collection procedures. This was done to make it easier for employers, especially small businesses, to fix hazards quickly and stay in compliance. This new policy increases penalty reduction for small employers, allowing investment into hazard abatement to keep workers safe. For example, a penalty reduction level of 70%, which used to only apply to businesses with 10 or fewer employees, now extends to those with up to 25 employees. This policy also adds a 15% penalty reduction for employers who take immediate steps to correct a hazard after it has been identified. For more information click HERE.
True-Up Deadline
Employers are now able to complete their mandatory payroll True-up report. The deadline to complete this is now August 31st. There will be no grace period for the current policy year and moving forward, so make sure to get this done as soon as possible. If you need help completing your true-up report the BWC has a step-by-step video you can watch HERE. For any additional information you can visit their website HERE. Please don't hesitate to reach out with any questions.
Unemployment News to Watch
The state of Ohio has introduced 2 House Bills in the Ohio Legislature that would try to help the Ohio Unemployment System remain solvent.
HB 376 would serve to reduce the time that an individual can receive benefits in a claim from 26 weeks down to 20 weeks.
HB 321 would reach solvency through 2 different angles.
- Permanently increases the taxable wage base per employee from $9000 per calendar year to $9500.
- Introduces a 0.14% employee contribution to the Ohio Unemployment Fund to be withheld from their paychecks by their employer if the employer is in one of the 18 industries that typically have a negative balance in the fund.
- We will be watching these bills closely.
BWC Reopens Safety Grant Program
The BWC has reopened the Safety Grants program, which assists employers in purchasing equipment to significantly reduce their risk of workplace injury. The program has over $41 million available to employers for the fiscal year of 2026.
This program is accepting applications for 3 grants: the Safety Intervention Grant, the Firefighter Exposure to Environmental Elements Grant, and the School Safety and Security Grant.
For more information of eligibility for these grants please click HERE.
Workers' Comp Group Rating
The 2026/2027 Workers' Comp Group Rating Pools are forming now. Maximize your membership benefits by getting a no-cost, no obligation quote on how much you could save. Reach out to V+A Risk Services at 419-867-1044 or https://variskservices.com/.
The 2026/2027 Workers' Comp Group Rating Pools are forming now. Maximize your membership benefits by getting a no-cost, no obligation quote on how much you could save. Reach out to V+A Risk Services at 419-867-1044 or https://variskservices.com/.
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