The Regulations for Compensation for Substances Related Occupational Diseases (TSB) will come into effect on 1 January 2023. This scheme offers the possibility that people with various occupational diseases due to hazardous substances can apply for a subsidy from the government.
Getting sick of your work. Unfortunately it happens to many people. In the distant past, typical disorders were given a name with a craft, such as the ‘cobbler’s chest’. Even in modern times, the language is enriched with illnesses that are the result of work. Examples are painter’s disease, hairdresser’s eczema and RSI.
About 14% of absenteeism due to illness in the Netherlands is caused by a work-related condition. Of the total burden of disease in the Netherlands, 5% is the result of unhealthy working conditions. A very high percentage, comparable to the health problems caused by overweight (5.2% of the disease burden can be traced back to this).
It is strange that, despite these alarming figures, there is so little attention for unhealthy working conditions. The position of company doctor (doctor who specializes in the field of work and health) is at the bottom of the popularity ladder among medical students.
This has everything to do with the way in which our social system is set up. After all, it does not matter what the cause of an illness is, for the benefit that one receives. It is very different in our neighboring countries, where there are separate regulations and lists for illnesses and injuries as a result of work.
As is known, the dire situation of asbestos victims in 2000 led to the establishment of the Asbestos Victims Institute. This resulted in a provision for asbestos victims with lung cancer. This was expanded in 2014 for victims with asbestosis. In 2020, the CSE scheme came into effect for victims with the painter’s disease.
And now on January 1, 2023, the Regulations for Compensation for Substances-related Occupational Diseases (TSB) will come into effect. This scheme offers the possibility that people with various occupational diseases due to hazardous substances can apply for a subsidy from the government. Initially, only victims with lung cancer due to asbestos and with occupational asthma can register, but gradually the scheme will be expanded to include more occupational diseases.
A sister organization of the IAS has been set up for the implementation: the Institute for Occupational Illnesses by Dangerous Substances (ISBG for short). The experience that the IAS has built up with files of asbestos victims can be used for groups with another occupational disease.
Source: see website of Institute of Asbestos Victims
See also the website of Institute for Victims of Occupational Diseases due to Hazardous Substances (ISBG for short)