Diagnostic and exposure criteria for occupational diseases - Guidance notes for diagnosis and prevention of the diseases in the ILO List of Occupational Diseases (revised 2010)

The ILO has a long history in the identification of diseases as occupational for the purpose of their prevention and compensation. The List of Occupational Diseases Recommendation, 2002 (No. 194), adopted by the International Labour Conference in 2002, annexed a list of occupational diseases which was revised in 2010. The revised 2010 ILO List of Occupational Diseases represents the most recent ILO work in this regard.

The causal relationship between work and disease is established on the basis of clinical and pathological data, occupational background and job analysis, identification and evaluation of occupational risk factors and of the role of other risk factors. The relationship between occupational exposure and the resulting severity of impairment among workers and the number of workers exposed are important criteria for the determination of occupational diseases.

This publication is the result of the work of more than 40 internationally recognized experts throughout a timespan of ten years. Most of the experts contributed their expertise and knowledge on a voluntary basis. The guidance notes in this publication provide information and criteria to be considered in the diagnosis and prevention of the diseases specified in the ILO List of Occupational Diseases (revised 2010) and are intended for the use of competent authorities, social security institutions, workers’ compensation funds, occupational safety and health professionals, physicians, employers and workers, and persons in charge of recording, notification, prevention, and compensation programmes for occupational diseases.