This policy has not been amended to reflect the
Workplace Safety and Insurance Act and Regulations made under it
Guidelines
Dermatitis Venenata
Dermatitis venenata is listed as an industrial disease in Schedule 3 to the Act. Consequently, the disease is deemed to have been due to the nature of the employment, unless the contrary is proved. It is caused by local action of various animal, vegetable or mineral substances on the surface of the skin.
Psoriasis
Psoriasis is recognized as a pre-existing systemic or skin disease and trauma may be a trigger factor which makes the disease clinically apparent at the site of the trauma. Because of the varied clinical appearances of the skin each claim is to be handled on its own merits.
Other Skin Diseases
Each claim for workers’ compensation benefits based on a skin disease is to be assessed on its own merits. If a work-related case of poison ivy or tobacco poisoning occurs, however, the enquiry is less extensive than in “dermatitis” claims.
Benefits
If the medical information indicates treatment is completed but the worker is unable to return to the pre-accident job because of the likelihood of a severe recurrence, consideration is given to extending benefits. This also applies if exposure to primary irritants destroys the natural protective mechanisms of the skin, resulting in a lack of resistance to secondary irritants such as soap and water.
It is recognized that elimination from the patient’s environment of the offending substance, either the primary cause of the skin disease or a secondary irritant, may be important to the worker’s continued well-being. Where this requires a change of jobs, the worker may become eligible for vocational rehabilitation assistance.
Initial adjudication
The following forms are used to assist in determining initial entitlement
- Worker’s Report of Injury/Disease, Form 6, (see 02-02-02 for illustration)
- Employer’s Report on Skin Disease, Form 0122A
- Doctor’s Report on Skin Disease, Form 0353A
References
Legislative authority
Workers’ Compensation Act, R.S.0. 1990
Sections 1(1), 134
Regulation 1102
Section 11 and Schedule 3
Minute
Board of Directors
#3, May 9, 1963, Page 3043
Board Directive
#1, May 4, 1964