Abroad|01/03/21

AUSTRIA: recognition of mesotheliomas is relatively low

Home > The news of EUROGIP and occupational risks in Europe > AUSTRIA: recognition of mesotheliomas is relatively low

In Austria, employers and doctors must report any suspicion of an occupational disease. More than eight out of ten mesotheliomas are related to exposure to asbestos, which is mainly of occupational origin. They should be reported to AUVA, the competent accident insurance body. However, the AUVA recognises relatively few mesotheliomas.

The link between occupational exposure and mesothelioma is scientifically proven and unequivocal. Moreover, tobacco consumption does not play a significant role in the development of the pathology. Thus, where there is an appropriate occupational history and latency period, the victim or his or her dependants are always compensated under the accident insurance scheme. However, there is a discrepancy between the figures from Statistics Austria (StatAT) and the cases recognised by the AUVA. For 1,356 people diagnosed with mesothelioma between 2004 and 2016, only 543 cases were recognised as occupational diseases.

To remedy this situation, the aim would be to better inform doctors, as part of a campaign, of their obligation to declare occupational diseases. They should be provided with general knowledge of occupational disease law and basic knowledge of occupational medicine.

Source (in German, p. 14)

Discover other news

Abroad

22/09/23

BELGIUM: what to expect from occupational illnesses in 2022

In 2022, around 38,500 people received compensation for permanent disability due to an occupational disease. And nearly 13,000 workers (private sector and provincial or local administrations, APL) filed a claim for compensation; 211 deaths were recognised, 73% of which were due to asbestos, 17% to silicosis and 10% to other diseases. These are the findings of the Fedris “Statistical Report on Occupational Diseases” 2022.

Abroad

22/09/23

FINLAND: the number of accidents at work rose in 2021

In 2021, more than 91,159 accidents at work occurred in Finland, around 4,500 more than in 2020. As in the previous year, construction workers (10,787), care and health service workers (9,367) and machine shop and foundry workers (7,162) were most affected.