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Policy decisions finalized at the February 19, 1999 WCB Panel of Administrators meeting
The following is a list of policy decisions finalized by the WCB Panel of Administrators on February 19, 1999. For information about the function and mandate of the Panel, please see Governing Structure.
- Foster Parents
- Schedule B and Corresponding Policy Amendments
- Additions to the List of Occupational Diseases Recognized
by Regulation
Foster Parents
The Board provides benefits to persons who act as foster parents in maintaining the existing household of the dependent(s) of a deceased worker, where there is no dependent widow or widower. The Panel approved an amendment to the foster parent policy to allow non-custodial natural parents, who take on this role, to receive these benefits. This policy change was made in response to a recommendation in the Royal Commission's Interim Report. The amendment is effective April 1, 1999.
For further information on foster parent benefits, please contact Bill Blackler at 604 279-7460, toll free 1 888 967-5377 local 7460.
You may also examine the complete resolution.
Schedule B and Corresponding Policy Amendments
Schedule B Item 3A - Bilateral Diffuse Pleural Thickening
The Panel approved amendments to Schedule B and corresponding policy language to better reflect current scientific/medical knowledge and the system of occupational disease recognition in B.C. The Panel also amended the "Description of Disease" to include unilateral thickening as well as benign pleural effusion (unilateral and bilateral). In addition, the requirement that the thickening be "5mm thick and extending over more than a quarter of the chest wall" was removed. Corresponding changes were made to the policy language for this Item (RSCM #29.47).
Schedule B Item 8 - Respiratory Irritation
The Panel approved amendments to Schedule B and corresponding policy language to better reflect current scientific/medical knowledge. The Panel also amended the "Description of Disease" to provide a more detailed description of the acute respiratory conditions involved. Reference to "excessive exposure" in the "Description of Process or Industry" was replaced by "exposure to high concentration [to a number of substances] that have irritating or inflammatory properties". Corresponding changes were made to relevant policies in the Rehabilitation Services and Claims Manual (RSCM #29.10, #29.20, and #30.50). Additional policy language regarding claims for chronic respiratory diseases was also adopted (RSCM #29.10).
Schedule B Item 16 - Hand-arm Vibration Syndrome
The Panel approved amendments to Schedule B and corresponding policy language to better reflect current scientific/medical knowledge. The Panel also updated the "Description of Disease" to replace "Vascular disturbances of the extremities" with the more commonly used term, "Hand-arm vibration syndrome" (HAVS). The "Description of Process or Industry" was amended including removal of the reference to "low temperatures".
Corresponding changes were made to the Rehabilitation Services and Claims Manual (RSCM #27.10, #27.13, and #115.30) and to the Assessment Policy Manual (APM #30:50:52). In addition, the Policy on HAVS was expanded to include a discussion of the most important risk factors for this condition and examples of the types of tools that can cause it.
The effective dates of these amendments to Schedule B Items 3A, 8, and 16 will be 30 days after first publication in the Gazette.
For further information on these Schedule B amendments, please contact Jay Rowland or D. Campbell in Occupational Disease Services at 604 276-3007, toll free 1 888 967-5377 for Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island, local 3007 or 1 800 922-622 for BC Interior and BC North.
Additions to the List of Occupational Diseases Recognized by Regulation
The Panel approved the addition of "Hypothenar Hammer Syndrome" and "Vinyl Chloride Induced Raynaud's Phenomenon" to the list of occupational diseases recognized by regulation. Policy #26.03 of the Rehabilitation Services and Claims Manual (RSCM) was amended to reflect this change. In addition, policy language for hypothenar hammer syndrome was approved (RSCM #27.14). The policy includes a description of the common causes of hypothenar hammer syndrome and the factors that are considered in determining whether the condition is work-related.
The effective dates of these amendments will be 30 days after first publication in the Gazette.
For further information on these two additions, please contact Jay Rowland or D. Campbell in Occupational Disease Services at 604 276-3007.