Occupational disease

What it means

An occupational disease is an illness caused by long exposure to harmful factors at work, such as noise, vibration, dust, chemicals or repetitive strain, and listed among recognised occupational diseases. Unlike a workplace accident it does not happen suddenly but develops over time.

The illness must be confirmed by a specialised clinic that assesses whether it matches the list and whether the employee worked in conditions that cause it. Recognition matters to the employee because it opens entitlement to benefits from employer accident insurance.

The Social Insurance Agency pays these benefits: an injury supplement, an injury pension for lasting loss of working capacity, a lump-sum settlement or reimbursement of treatment costs. Accident insurance for employees is paid entirely by the employer.

How it works in practice

Prevention starts with risk assessment and categorisation of work carried out by the occupational health service. Work in risk categories requires medical checks, protective equipment, limited exposure time and, for some jobs, supplements for a hazardous working environment.

When an occupational disease is suspected, the employer must cooperate with the investigation by providing documentation on the workplace, measurements and risks. Missing documentation counts against the employer and can also bring a fine from the labour inspectorate.

The employer is liable to the employee for harm caused by an occupational disease, such as lost earnings or pain. The Social Insurance Agency covers part of it, and the rest may be covered by the employer’s liability insurance, if the company has it and it covers such claims.

What to watch out for

An occupational disease often appears years after someone has left the job. The employer must therefore keep health and safety records, measurements and lists of exposed employees for many years, or it has nothing to defend itself with in a dispute.

Work on agreements or through an agency in hazardous operations without proper categorisation is risky too. Health protection duties apply to all workers, not just permanent staff, and with an occupational disease liability cannot be shifted onto paperwork.