The figure below provides an example of a systematic approach to occupational diseases, starting from individual suspicion of an occupational disease and notification to the final decision on whether or not the diseases will be recognized by the social security institution. The decision on such recognition depends on causality between the disease and the workplace in order for the disease to be classified as occupational.

The institution operates a mobile examination unit for on-site medical screening which conducts high-quality, cost-efficient examinations and provides comprehensive documentation of results.

The institution maintains a database on occupational health risk exposure to arrange for medical screening and long-term follow-up, to collect exposure and diagnostic data and to verify insurance claims based on suspected occupational diseases.

The institution undertakes measures to identify cases of occupational health issues and to intervene as early as possible. In order to facilitate the process of notification of occupational diseases, the institution cooperates with the medical profession, the social partners and inspection services.

The institution supports the timely diagnosis of occupational health issues on the appearance of physical or psychological symptoms, which allows for early workplace interventions.

Such interventions could include changes to work processes, improved protective devices or the removal of workers from exposure, effective medical treatment and improving the safety behaviour of exposed employees.

The institution – if it covers occupational diseases – participates in the development of a national strategy on occupational diseases and the regular updating of the national list of occupational diseases.

The institution defines a clear policy for working with occupational health services, including the nature of the support and cooperation.

Principles and suggested structures and mechanisms for occupational health services outlined in the ISSA Guidelines on Workplace Health Promotion apply (e.g. Guideline 27, Supporting the development of occupational health services).

The prevention of occupational diseases is a major challenge for social security systems. Accident ratio studies can predict the exact probability of the occurrence of a major accident or injury. However, calculations on the probability of the occurrence of occupational diseases must take into account factors that are difficult to measure or predict, such as prevalence, the duration of medical treatment and environmental factors that foster occupational risks.

Good internal communication carries the prevention message to the operational level of the institution, enables staff to better understand the purpose of the institution’s prevention activities and facilitates motivation.

The institution undertakes campaigns for the transfer of prevention information and to raise awareness on prevention topics or health and safety targets.

Campaigns are a very effective tool as they are typically broadcast through several media channels and attract far more attention than sporadic advertising activities.