BWC Safety Council Rebate Program
Safety Meeting Attendance
The Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) Division of Safety & Hygiene (DSH) administers the Ohio safety council program to provide a forum for occupational safety and health education, resources, and networking in local communities.
Eligibility Requirements
Thousands of Ohio employers benefit from the education, resource sharing, and premium savings that result from actively participating in their local safety council monthly meetings. And you can join them. Earn a 3% safety council rebate on your workers’ compensation premium*
• Learn techniques for increasing safety, health, and wellness in your workplace.
• Network and share best practices with other employers in your community.
• Identify resources to assist you in your accident prevention efforts.
• Access risk management information and strategies to reduce your workers’ compensation costs.
Participation in an Ohio Safety Council is simpler and easier than ever before.
✅ Join or confirm your existing, active membership in a local safety council by July 31, 2025.
✅ Attend at least 10 in-person safety council meetings
Between July 1, 2025, and June 30, 2026.
✅ Earn up to 4 additional credits through the following optional activities:
Training Credits (Max 2 credits):
Attend in-person training, such as:
- BWC safety training courses (excluding online e-courses or webinars)
- In-person safety training from external sources (e.g., industry associations, third-party administrators) that is pre-approved by BWC.
Onsite Consultation (Max 2 credits):
Schedule a Comprehensive Onsite Consultation with a BWC Field Safety Services Consultant. This must include:*A full hazard assessment
*A claims review
(This visit is limited to once every 3 years)
Additional safety council rebate eligibility guidelines:
- A person can represent only one policy number at a safety council meeting or external training event.
- Employers must be enrolled in a safety council for meeting attendance to qualify.
- Employers may earn one external training credit per event.
- Safety training conducted at an employer’s workplace does not qualify for safety council rebate program eligibility.
- Virtual/online training does not qualify for safety council rebate program eligibility except BWC virtual training classes.
The maximum rebate amount is $5,000 per policy per year.
Employers must:
- Be current on all BWC payments
- Have no more than 40 cumulative days of lapsed coverage in the past 12 months
- Report actual payroll on time for the prior policy year
Pay any outstanding premiums following reconciliation
Exclusions:
- Self-insuring employers and state agencies are not eligible
Restrictions apply to professional employer organizations (PEOs) and their clients
Attendance rules:
- A representative may only earn credit for one BWC policy number per event
- Monthly meetings only count toward credit if the employer is enrolled in that specific safety council
External Training Credits
It is the employer’s responsibility to submit an official certificate of attendance for external training credit to the safety council in which they are enrolled by June 30, 2026.
You can earn external training credit for up to two meetings through attendance at BWC-sponsored in-person or virtual training courses or in-person safety training from other external sources (e.g. industry associations, third party administrators, etc.). It is the employer’s responsibility to submit documentation to safety council by June 30, 2026 for attendance at non-safety council safety training to qualify. Documentation must be an official certificate of attendance or transcript.
