ACC expands occupational diseases cover: what businesses need to know
Important changes to four ACC regulations have come into effect, delivering an improved and fairer experience for affected clients.
One of these changes includes 12 new additions to ACC’s Schedule 2 list of occupational diseases – providing a more direct route to accessing ACC cover for a workplace illness where there is a link to workplace exposure.
This includes the introduction of nine new clauses (clauses 42–50) and three new items added to existing clauses (2 and 21).
The new items are:
- Malignant mesothelioma diagnosed as caused by erionite (clause 42)
- Heat-induced cataracts diagnosed as caused by infrared radiation (clause 43)
- Nasal cancer diagnosed as caused by nickel (clause 44)
- Chronic corneal ulcer diagnosed as caused by ammonia (clause 45)
- Cholangiocarcinoma diagnosed as caused by 1,2-dichloropropane (clause 46)
- Leukaemia diagnosed as caused by butadiene (clause 47)
- Kidney cancer diagnosed as caused by trichloroethylene (clause 48)
- Ocular melanoma diagnosed as caused by ultraviolet radiation (UVR) exposure from work involving welding (clause 49)
- Asthma diagnosed as caused by potroom emissions (clause 50)
- Asbestos and laryngeal cancer (incorporated into clause 2)
- Asbestos and ovarian cancer (incorporated into clause 2)
- Vinyl Chloride and hepatocellular carcinoma (incorporated into clause 21)
In addition, two existing clauses have been updated:
- Clause 2 now covers lung cancer, mesothelioma, laryngeal cancer, or ovarian cancer as caused by asbestos.
- Clause 21 now covers angiosarcoma of the liver or hepatocellular carcinoma caused by vinyl chloride monomer.
These changes ensure the Accident Compensation scheme reflects current medical and scientific evidence, and the exposures faced by New Zealand’s workforce. They’re also intended to improve access for affected client to treatment and rehabilitation.
For more information visit the ACC website: Updates to modernise four ACC regulations
