Expert webinar to discuss prevention and compensation of “new” types of occupational diseases
ILO and National Health Commission convened Chinese and international experts to discuss technical standards on diagnosing and recognizing work-related diseases.
Beijing (ILO News) — On 8 July, ILO and the National Institute of Occupational Health and Poison Control jointly organized a webinar to discuss the technical standards on diagnosing and recognizing occupational musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), mental and behavioural disorders and karoshi.
Pneumoconiosis and other respiratory diseases are the most commonly reported occupational diseases in China. However, with fast development of the economy and changes of the economic structure, non-traditional types of occupational hazards, such as ergonomic and socio-psychological risks are affecting the health of more workers. MSDs, mental and behavioural disorders and karoshi are not yet included in the Classification and List of Occupational Diseases of China, which serves as the basis for prevention and compensation of occupational diseases. To explore approaches of protecting workers from these non-traditional type of occupational diseases, the ILO and National Health Commission convened renowned OSH experts from China, Finland, Germany, Korea and Belgium and ILO to exchange good practices as well as lessons learnt in preventing and compensating MSDs, mental and behavioural disorders and karoshi.
Dai Xiaochu, Deputy-Director of ILO Country Office for China and Mongolia, highlighted in his opening remarks that the COVID-19 pandemic has shown the importance of investing in a resilient national Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) system, which includes, amongst others, the mechanisms for prevention, surveillance, reporting and compensation of occupational diseases. It is very important that countries regularly update their lists of occupational diseases. ILO is ready to provide technical advisory services to China for updating of China’s list of occupational diseases.
Wu Zongzhi, Director-General of Occupational Health Department of the National Health Commission reminded the participants the serious occupational health challenges facing China, as both new and old types of occupational hazards are common in many workplaces. MSDs and occupational stress have led to more work-related health problems of many workers. As the National Health Commission is organizing preparatory work for the revision of the Classification and List of Occupational Diseases and the List of Prevention of Work-related Diseases, it is eager to learn international good practices.
The ILO OSH specialists shared with the participants the ILO List of Occupational Diseases and a global overview of the compensation schemes for occupational diseases. The Chinese and international experts exchanged experiences in relation to the technical standards on diagnosing, recognizing and compensating MSDs, mental and behavioural disorders and karoshi. Around 70-80 participants from National Health Commission, National Institute of Occupational Health and Poison Control of China CDC and provincial institutes and hospitals for prevention and control of occupational diseases joined the webinar.
Pneumoconiosis and other respiratory diseases are the most commonly reported occupational diseases in China. However, with fast development of the economy and changes of the economic structure, non-traditional types of occupational hazards, such as ergonomic and socio-psychological risks are affecting the health of more workers. MSDs, mental and behavioural disorders and karoshi are not yet included in the Classification and List of Occupational Diseases of China, which serves as the basis for prevention and compensation of occupational diseases. To explore approaches of protecting workers from these non-traditional type of occupational diseases, the ILO and National Health Commission convened renowned OSH experts from China, Finland, Germany, Korea and Belgium and ILO to exchange good practices as well as lessons learnt in preventing and compensating MSDs, mental and behavioural disorders and karoshi.
Dai Xiaochu, Deputy-Director of ILO Country Office for China and Mongolia, highlighted in his opening remarks that the COVID-19 pandemic has shown the importance of investing in a resilient national Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) system, which includes, amongst others, the mechanisms for prevention, surveillance, reporting and compensation of occupational diseases. It is very important that countries regularly update their lists of occupational diseases. ILO is ready to provide technical advisory services to China for updating of China’s list of occupational diseases.
Promoting safe and secure working environments of all workers, including migrant workers, particularly women migrants, and those in precarious employment is an important part of SDG 8. As a country with large number of workers, China’s efforts in protecting workers’ occupational safety and health will be an important contribution to the realization of the OSH-related SDG targets."
Mr. Dai Xiaochu, Deputy Director of ILO Country Office for China and Mongolia
The ILO OSH specialists shared with the participants the ILO List of Occupational Diseases and a global overview of the compensation schemes for occupational diseases. The Chinese and international experts exchanged experiences in relation to the technical standards on diagnosing, recognizing and compensating MSDs, mental and behavioural disorders and karoshi. Around 70-80 participants from National Health Commission, National Institute of Occupational Health and Poison Control of China CDC and provincial institutes and hospitals for prevention and control of occupational diseases joined the webinar.