NEWS RELEASE - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador – The Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation Commission (WHSCC) is pleased to announce a new occupational disease initiative that will broaden the medical and scientific knowledge available to the Commission, which is necessary to determine entitlement to compensation for workers and families impacted by occupational disease.  

The creation of an Occupational Disease Advisory Panel (ODAP) to provide oversight on occupational disease matters and to address government’s action plan was announced today by Leslie Galway, the WHSCC’s Chief Executive Officer. The panel’s voting members include: Worker Representative George Kean, Employer Representative Elizabeth Forward and Commission Chair Ralph Tucker.  

 “The awarding of fair and reasonable compensation to workers and families impacted by occupational disease is a priority for the WHSCC and for the government of Newfoundland and Labrador,” said Mr. Tucker. 

The WHSCC also announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Institut de recherche Robert-Sauvé en santé et en sécurité du travail (IRSST), a renowned leader in the area of occupational health and safety research.   

“Occupational disease is a complex issue, with decisions regarding compensation requiring expertise from the global medical and scientific community, and we have begun the process of acquiring that information,” Ms. Galway said. 

Following an assessment of the occupational disease issues currently being addressed by the WHSCC, the ODAP has approved a medical and scientific review of the literature pertaining to cancer among shipyard workers, which will be completed by the IRSST. The Commission is currently finalizing contractual arrangements with the IRSST for the completion of this work. 

The creation of the ODAP, and new partnership with the IRSST, allows for the transfer of key medical and scientific knowledge to the WHSCC, health care professionals and other parties in the province, with an interest in occupational disease. “This initiative represents a proactive, knowledge-based approach that will give us access to the best scientific and medical advice and evidence available to support the timely and effective resolution of claims for occupational disease,” said Ms. Galway.

Founded in 1980, the Institut de recherche Robert-Sauvé en santé et en sécurité du travail (IRSST) is a scientific research organization known for the quality of its work and the expertise of its personnel. The Institute is a private, non-profit agency. Its board of directors is composed of an equal number of trade union and employers' representatives, making it a joint body.  

Serving over 16,000 employers and approximately 12,000 injured workers, the Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation Commission (WHSCC) is an employer-funded no fault insurance system that promotes safe and healthy workplaces, provides return-to-work programs and fair compensation to injured workers and their dependants. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Chris Flanagan
Acting Director of Communications
Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation Commission
Telephone: 709-778-1590 or 1-800-563-9000 

Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation Commission
146-148 Forest Road •  St. John’s • NL  • A1A 3B8
Telephone (709) 778-1000 •1-800-563-9000
www.whscc.nl.ca

For a printable version from the Commission’s website click on the following link.