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Proposed Amendments to Policy on Asthma and Contact Dermatitis
A worker who develops an allergy or hypersensitivity to a workplace substance that results in an asthmatic reaction, or who shows signs and symptoms of contact dermatitis, is considered to have an occupational disease. Compensation is payable to such a worker during the period he or she is symptomatic. Under current policy, compensation is not payable when the worker's symptoms have resolved and he or she is simply left with an underlying allergy or hypersensitivity to the workplace substance.
At issue is whether, given current scientific evidence, policy should be amended to provide compensation to workers who are asymptomatic when removed from work, but who must avoid worksites containing a triggering substance or risk increasingly severe asthmatic reactions or bouts of contact dermatitis.
At their meeting on January 27, 2006, the Board of Directors approved the release of a discussion paper with options and draft policy amendments for stakeholder consultation. Proposed deletions of policy wording are identified with a strikethrough and additions are identified in bold.
Discussion paper (PDF 292kb)
There are a number of ways for stakeholders to provide feedback on the options and draft policy amendments:
(a) Comment link:
Through the Comment link below, you will be able to provide immediate feedback by completing an online submission form.
Please Note: Once you click the “submit” button at the bottom of the form you cannot access it again to make additional comments. Therefore, if you wish to make detailed comments in the feedback section, you may want to draft your comments using a word processing format and then cut and paste them into the submission form.
Alternatively, submissions can also be submitted as follows:
| (b) | E-mail: | policy@worksafebc.com |
| (c) | Mail: | Policy and Research Division |
| (d) | Fax: | 604-279-7599; or toll-free in B.C. 1-877-279-7599 |
The consultation period will end on May 31 , 2006. The Board of Directors will consider stakeholder feedback before making a decision on policy amendments.
Please note that all comments become part of the Policy and Research Division 's database and may be published, including the identity of organizations and those participating on behalf of organizations. The identity of those who have participated on their own behalf will be kept confidential according to the provisions of the Freedom of Info rmation and Protection of Privacy Act.