Workers, employers, occupational health professionals, academics, and other interested parties have less than three weeks to let the Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment (MBIE) know what other occupational diseases they think need to be covered by Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) New Zealand.
Currently, as per Schedule 2 of the Accident Compensation Act 2001 (the AC Act), ACC can provide cover for occupational diseases like lung cancer or mesothelioma diagnosed as caused by asbestos; anthrax infection; leptospirosis diagnosed as caused by working with animals or their carcasses; pneumoconiosis diagnosed as caused by tin, iron oxide, barium, or cobalt; naso-pharyngeal carcinoma diagnosed as caused by formaldehyde; Hodgkin’s lymphoma diagnosed as caused by wood dust; chronic solvent-induced encephalopathy diagnosed as caused by organic solvents; chronic renal failure diagnosed as caused by metals such as cadmium or copper; and occupational allergic contact dermatitis diagnosed as caused by recognised sensitising agents.
Consisting of 41 items, the list of covered occupational diseases was last updated in 2008. Submitted suggestions via the consultation, along with other resources, will be used to inform the proposals that will be provided to a group of independent researchers and medical experts.
Meanwhile, it’s been stressed that only Schedule 2 of the AC Act will be examined.
“The review will not consider wider changes to the AC Scheme, including how WRGPDI (work-related gradual process, disease, or infection) cover is provided more broadly and how other types of injuries, which are not an occupational disease, are covered under the AC Act,” MBIE said. The ministry also clarified that non-listed diseases can still be considered for cover through the scheme’s three-step test. “This review will not consider work-related mental injury cover, as this is covered separately under section 21B of the AC Act and is therefore out of scope.”
To help with its proposals, MBIE is asking the following questions in its consultation:
1. Do you think there is relevant evidence to support including new occupational diseases to Schedule 2 at this time?
2. If yes to Question 1, what occupational diseases should be added to Schedule 2?
3. For each occupational disease suggested in response to Question 2, what should be listed as the corresponding:
4. Do you think there is relevant evidence to support including additional exposures for occupational diseases currently included in Schedule 2?
5. If yes to Question 4, for each relevant current occupational disease, what should be listed as the corresponding additional:
Those with suggestions are also asked to provide links or references to supporting evidence and, where relevant, information on how the disease affects different populations.
As for the next step, MBIE said the suggestions will be worked on by researchers before forming part of a report by medical experts.
“MBIE will then use the experts’ report, alongside policy considerations such as cost and scope of the AC Scheme, to inform advice to the Minister for ACC on any recommended changes to Schedule 2,” the ministry said. “We expect to be able to make these recommendations in mid-2023.”
The consultation will close at 5pm on May 17.
In a separate development, 800 ACC employees from two existing premises in Hamilton now have a new office in the city. Hamilton-based staff began moving to the new site on April 26.
