Tuesday, January 18, 2022 April 28 – International Day of Mourning It’s not just workplace accidents that wreak havoc in workers’ lives. The scourge of the pandemic has also shone a light on the risk to workers of a number of occupational diseases Newsletters Alberta Local 56 Alberta Local 63 Alberta Local 301 BC Local 68 BC Local 501 BC Transportation Manitoba Local 152 Manitoba Local 306 Ontario Construction Ontario Emergency Services Ontario Healthcare Saskatchewan Local 151 According to the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA), workplace accidents have decreased by 25 percent over the last decade. This is good news and demonstrates that renewed emphasis on safety, training, and personal protective equipment is paying off. But the agency also reports that 2.4 million people die annually due to occupational diseases. The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety says that “in general, health conditions or disorders that occur among a group of people with similar occupational exposures at a higher frequency than the rest of the population are considered to be occupational diseases.” While the criteria about which occupational diseases and disorders are covered by workers compensation varies from province to province, here are some common ones. 7 Common Occupational Diseases and Disorders Cancer – According to the EU-OSHA, 24 percent of work-related deaths are due to cancer from exposure to carcinogenic substances in the workplace. Hearing Loss – The US National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) found that 18 percent of workers exposed to occupational noise suffered hearing loss. Workers in mining, construction, and manufacturing are at particular risk. Infectious Diseases – Healthcare workers as well as workers in labs, social services, and correctional facilities are at greater risk of contracting infectious diseases such as hepatitis B and C, tuberculosis, HIV, and more recently, COVID-19. Mental Health Disorders – Disorders such as posttraumatic stress injury (PTSI) are also sometimes considered occupational illnesses, particularly for those working in emergency services or the military. According to the Canadian Mental Health Association, eight percent of those exposed to a traumatic event will suffer a PTSI. Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) – Over 40 percent of work-related injuries are due to MSDs. They are common in just about every occupation and industry—even office workers. Respiratory Illnesses – According to the Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers, asthma is the most common occupational lung disease in Canada. Over 300 chemicals used in the workplace can cause asthma. Skin Diseases – Contact dermatitis is the leading cause of skin diseases, which account for 15 to 20 percent of all occupational diseases in the US, according to NIOSH. Up to 75 percent of workers with occupational contact dermatitis develop a chronic skin disease. This April 28, let’s remember those who have lost their lives or whose lives have been forever changed not only by a workplace accident, but also by an occupational disease. Source: thesafetymag.com You might be interested in Why We Work Safely 5 Jun 2026 Standing Your Ground, and Staying Steady on the Job 4 Jun 2026 CLAC Partners with Alberta Government to Advance Skilled Trades Training and Accelerate Certification 4 Jun 2026 Strathcona Mechanical Workers Ratify New Agreement Providing Wage, Scheduling Improvements 3 Jun 2026