List of Notifiable Diseases

Key points

1. 1The schedule lists 29 notifiable diseases, and section 12(1), named at its head, is where the employer's duty to give notice when a worker contracts one of them sits. §schedule
2. 2The largest group, 14 of the 29 entries, are poisonings: lead, lead tetra-ethyl, phosphorus, mercury, manganese, arsenic, nitrous fumes, carbon bisulphide, benzene, halogens and their aliphatic hydrocarbon derivatives, beryllium, carbon monoxide, phosgene and isocyanates. §schedule
3. 3Dust lung diseases are listed by name: silicosis, asbestosis, byssinosis and coal miners' pneumoconiosis. §schedule
4. 4Skin conditions count: chrome ulceration, primary epitheliomatous skin cancer, oil acne or dermatitis from mineral oils, and contact dermatitis from chemicals and paints. §schedule
5. 5Physical hazards are covered too: noise-induced hearing loss and the effects of radium, other radioactive substances and X-rays. §schedule
6. 6There are also broad organ and cancer entries: toxic anaemia, toxic jaundice from poisonous substances, toxic nephritis and occupational cancer, plus one infection, anthrax. §schedule
7. 7The list matters beyond the employer's notice: under section 12(2) a qualified medical practitioner treating a current or former worker for a listed disease must report it in writing to the Chief Inspector-cum-Facilitator without delay, and section 121 lets the appropriate Government order an inquiry when a listed disease appears in epidemic proportions. §schedule