The Board of Directors approved changes to Schedule B of the Workers Compensation Act (“Act”), and consequential amendments to Appendix 2 of the Rehabilitation Services & Claims Manual, Volume II (“RS&CM”).

The presumption in favour of coverage for workers who have primary site lung cancer where there is airborne exposure to asbestos dust associated with asbestosis has not been changed.

The pleural thickening requirement in Schedule B of the Act has been modified so that there is a presumption in favour of workers who have primary site lung cancer where there is airborne exposure to asbestos dust associated with bilateral diffuse pleural thickening over 2mm thick.

A new presumption in favour of coverage for workers has been added to Schedule B of the Act where there is exposure to airborne asbestos dust for a period of 10 years or more of employment in a listed industry.

The changes to Schedule B of the Act will came into force on September 28, 2010, which is 90 days after the date the changes were deposited with the Registrar of Regulations under the Regulations Act. The consequential amendments to Appendix 2 of the RS&CM were also effective September 28, 2010.