Three new occupational diseases have been added to the Belgian list of occupational diseases:
- ovarian carcinoma caused by asbestos;
- uveal melanoma caused by optical radiation from welding;
- systemic sclerosis caused by inhaling dust containing crystalline silicon dioxide.
The royal decree was published on August 9, 2022. A compensation claim under the list system can therefore be submitted from August 19 for these diseases.
The addition of a disease to the list of occupational diseases is important because it simplifies the burden of proof for affected persons. Indeed, when a disease and its exposure criteria are included in the list, the causal link between the disease and the exposure is considered proven, and the victim does not have to provide proof of this.
For each of the three diseases, specific conditions must be met to assume a proven link between the profession and the disease and to be eligible for compensation due to occupational disease.
