List of occupational diseases is adjusted
At its meeting on February 21, the Federal Council decided to amend Annex 1 of the Ordinance on Accident Insurance. This will update the list of occupational diseases in accordance with the latest scientific and technical findings on harmful substances and mechanical influences on health. The amendment to the ordinance will enter into force on April 1, 2018.
The list of occupational diseases in Annex 1 has remained unchanged for more than a decade. The amendments to the regulation essentially concern the inclusion of additional harmful substances, for example the Disinfectant and the aromatic amines. In addition, the list of work-related diseases has been expanded somewhat in the paraphrasing of individual points.
The list of occupational diseases facilitates the provision of evidence regarding the causal relationship between a health-damaging cause and the occupational disease that develops from it. According to case law, the accident insurer is obliged to pay benefits if more than 50 percent of the illness is attributable to an occupational influence (exposure) caused by a substance or physical factor on the list.
Amendment of the Ordinance on Accident Insurance
The list of occupational diseases according to Annex 1 of the Ordinance on Accident Insurance (UVV) has remained unchanged for more than a decade. It must therefore be adapted to the new scientific and technical findings on harmful substances and mechanical influences on health.
Text: BAG Federal Office of Public Health
