9 March 2006

Review of ACC cover for work-related gradual process, disease or infection

The Department of Labour is to review the Injury Prevention, Rehabilitation, and Compensation (IPRC) Act 2001, to consider whether the existing cover provisions for people with work-related gradual process, disease or infection are adequate.

An independent Ministerial Advisory Panel has recommended substantial changes to the ACC scheme, to include cover for all people whose work injury or illness manifests over time. The panel considered that cover for gradual process injuries or disease is currently too limited, and the requirement for claimants to prove work causation was too onerous.

Cabinet has approved a preliminary work programme, to determine whether further work is required in this area. As part of that programme, the Department has been tasked with two pieces of work:

- A review of legislative cover, to determine the current extent of cover for work-related gradual process, disease, or infection under the legislation as it currently stands, and

- A literature review of how work-related gradual process, disease, or infection is managed by other jurisdictions.

Deputy Secretary for Workplace Andrew Annakin said the review work would be carried out in conjunction with ACC. Consultation will also occur with the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions and Business New Zealand, and others with expertise in the area. Work on the review would start immediately.

On completion, the Department will report back to Cabinet with its recommendations for further work.

A copy of the Ministerial Advisory Panel’s report is available on http://www.osh.dol.govt.nz/publications/research/gradual-disease0605/index.shtml

ENDS

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