Occupational Disease Indicators report released

The fifth edition of the Occupational Disease Indicators report has been released by Safe Work Australia.

The report examined eight priority disease groups: mental disorders, noise-induced hearing loss, occupational cancers, musculoskeletal disorders, infectious and parasitic diseases, respiratory diseases, contact dermatitis and cardiovascular diseases. Decreasing trends were observed for five of these eight groups.

The report includes new data on rates of:

• workers’ compensation claims for priority disease groups (2009-10 to 2010-11);
• disease notifications for infectious and parasitic diseases (2011 to 2013);
• hospitalisation for respiratory diseases (2009-10); and
• mesothelioma diagnoses (2009 to 2010).

For each priority disease group there is also information on:

• characteristics of diseases and their known causes;
• occupations at highest risk; and
• prevention policies aimed at minimising exposure to workplace hazards and preventing the occurrence of occupational diseases.

The report uses data from:

• state, territory and Commonwealth workers’ compensation schemes;
• the New South Wales Dust Diseases Board;
• the National Notifiable Disease Surveillance System;
• the National Hospital Morbidity Database; and
• the Australian Cancer Incidence and Mortality books.

The report is available at www.swa.gov.au.