WCU makes working with Workers' Comp easy

There are no tuition hikes at Workers' Compensation University – only ways to control costs, increase workplace safety, and opportunities to learn more about Ohio's workers' comp system.

The Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC) is the safest bet for a tuition-free education with Worker's Compensation University (WCU) coming to seven cities around the state this fall.

Nearly 9,000 customers including employers, injured workers, medical providers, attorneys and union representatives attended WCU last year, and BWC hopes for an even larger turn out this year.

"For those who might think workers' compensation is overwhelming, WCU can help customers to better learn how the system operates," said James Conrad, BWC Administrator and CEO. "Each session is an interactive discussion on BWC's latest rate-reducing programs and methods of improving workplace safety."

In this one-day conference participants can attend a variety of sessions, meet with representatives from BWC, the Industrial Commission of Ohio, managed care organizations and a variety of vendors in the exhibition area.

WCU dates and locations are as follows:

In this one-day conference participants can attend a variety of sessions, meet with representatives from BWC, the Industrial Commission, managed care organizations and a variety of vendors in the exhibition area.

The program will include a general session covering BWC's focus on Return-to-Work, its successful E-Business strategy – the Dolphin Project, and the Safety Works for You campaign. Relevant topics will be covered in breakout sessions for interest areas including violence in the workplace, workers' comp fraud, assessing a company's safety culture and workers' comp, e-business solutions, and much more.

• Safety Works: Safety strategies contribute to a stable line of business and the bottom line. In Assessing a Company's Safety Culture, employers will learn about tools that assess the safety culture of a company. In addition, WCU attendees can take part in the Safety Works for Moms and Dads campaign launched earlier this year by Gov. Bob Taft and BWC -- emphasizing workplace safety's impact on Ohio's workforce.
• Fraud: Find out how BWC identified nearly $90 million in workers comp fraud last year by focusing on reducing claimant, medical provider and employer fraud.
• Public Employers: Gov. Taft and BWC held a Public Employer summit earlier this year to address the rising trend of public employer claims which will be reflected in an average 3.7-percent increase in public sector taxing districts' overall premiums for the year 2001. WCU is the next step for public employers to get more information on rating concepts, rating plan options, reserving, employer performance measures and other risk management strategies to combat rising claims and costs.
• E-Business: BWC's Dolphin Project offers customers another method of conducting business with BWC. WCU attendees will be able to receive "how to" training and an overview of online programs and services.

Employers who attend WCU and enroll in Controlling Workers' Comp Costs and Advanced Safety can earn Step 6 credit of the 10-Step Business Plan. Also, medical providers can earn continuing education credits.

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Workers' Compensation University covers a variety of BWC programs and initiatives to better manage workers' compensation costs and increase workplace safety for Ohio's workforce.

BWC SafetyGRANT$
Drug-Free Workplace Program
BWC's retrospective rating program
Strategies for managing workers' compensation
Transitional WorkGRANT$
Safety Works for Moms and Dads
Creative safety programs
Return to work and remain at work strategies
Report Fraud
Industrial Commission