Observation (CEACR) - adopted 1995, published 82nd ILC session (1995)

Workmen's Compensation (Occupational Diseases) Convention (Revised), 1934 (No. 42) - United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (Ratification: 1936)

In its previous comments, the Committee urged the Government to re-examine its position towards supplementing the list of prescribed occupational diseases so as to conform to the Convention with regard to poisoning by the halogen derivatives of hydrocarbons of the aliphatic series, disorders due to ionizing radiation and anthrax infection. In its reply, the Government emphasizes that there was no intention to limit the coverage of its legislation so as deliberately to exclude certain disorders and that the incidence of all occupational diseases continues to be monitored and the list of diseases supplemented when it is considered necessary. It adds that the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council (IIAC) continues to keep the principles of the Convention in mind when considering whether the list of prescribed diseases for which benefit may be paid should be enlarged or amended. The Government, however, believes that all diseases which can be attributed with reasonable certainty to the nature of particular employments, rather than being a risk common to all persons, are in fact included in the list of prescribed occupational diseases, as required by the Convention.

The Committee notes this general statement. It also notes a number of specific regulations adopted by the Government to include certain new diseases and toxic substances in the list of prescribed occupational diseases, as well as the recommendations made to this effect by the IIAC, supplied by the Government with its report. It observes, however, that these measures still do not contain the necessary modifications to ensure that full effect is given to the Convention in the national legislation. It is therefore bound once again to draw the Government's attention to the points it raised in the request addressed directly to the Government.