Work related Harm: Implications for diagnosis, rehabilitation and compensation

The main objective of the project is to develop a comprehensive Technical Report on The definition of work related harm, Implications for diagnosis, rehabilitation and compensation. The report must compare and contrast how work related harm is currently defined in New Zealand and other countries and the subsequent implications for diagnosis, rehabilitation and compensation of work related harm

The report will specifically address the following areas:

• Review concepts of work relatedness of disease and injury and compare and contrast this with the definitions used by regulatory and compensation agencies responsible for occupational health and safety internationally.

• Review the criteria used in the same countries to diagnose and differentiate between:

- acute injury
- acute health effects
- chronic injury
- chronic health effects

• Review the classification systems that are used to operationalize the concepts of work relatedness in the same countries.

The report will provide recommendations for harmonising the varying definitions of harm currently used in New Zealand with a view to providing more effective and efficient diagnosis, rehabilitation and compensation for work related harm.

The report will also show how harm is defined impacts on:

• Policy development related to occupational health and safety
• The relationship between the diagnosis of work related harm and its impacts on compensation and subsequent prevention programme's
• Differing burdens of proof between various acts and regulations
• Occupational disease and the relationship with public health

This report is being undertaken by Allen & Clarke. It is expected the final report will be released in June 2009.