Occupational Diseases

Great Britain HSE Consults On Amendments To RIDDOR 2013

The UK HSE is consulting on significant updates to RIDDOR 2013 reporting requirements, targeting clearer definitions and an expanded list of reportable occupational diseases by mid-2026. Businesses should prepare for broader reporting obligations and potential revisions to internal incident management systems to capture a wider range of work-related health conditions and dangerous occurrences.

9 Apr 2026, 14:49consultations.hse.gov.ukUnited Kingdom

Brazil Chamber Of Deputies Proposes Cancer Notification Duty For Asbestos-Related Cases

Brazil’s Chamber of Deputies is advancing a proposal to mandate that medical laboratories notify authorities of all cancer cases linked to asbestos exposure. This initiative signals a shift toward stricter health surveillance and increased litigation risk for companies with historical asbestos footprints as data on long-term liabilities becomes more transparent.

3 Apr 2026, 10:45camara.leg.brBrazil

Germany Publishes First Amendment To TRBA 462 On Classification Of Viruses And TSE-Associated Agents Into Risk Groups

Germany published the first amendment to TRBA 462 on March 31, 2026, updating the classification of viruses and TSE-associated agents into risk groups. Employers and laboratories must review existing risk assessments and protective measures to ensure alignment with the updated biological agent list and maintain compliance with the Biological Agents Ordinance.

3 Apr 2026, 09:51baua.deGermany

Netherlands Minister Declines Cohort Study on Health Effects of Occupational Pesticide Exposure

The Dutch government declined to launch a national pesticide exposure study in March 2026, opting to rely on international data and upcoming domestic advice. This signals a strategic reliance on global evidence for occupational disease recognition, potentially accelerating the inclusion of pesticide-related conditions in national liability and compensation frameworks.

2 Apr 2026, 10:18open.overheid.nlNetherlands

Great Britain Adopts SI 2026/378 Updating Pneumoconiosis Workers’ Compensation Lump-Sum Payments

Great Britain has increased lump-sum compensation rates for workers suffering from dust-related occupational diseases, effective April 1, 2026. This adjustment reflects the rising cost of industrial disease liabilities and highlights the long-term financial risks associated with historical exposure to hazardous substances like asbestos and silica.

31 Mar 2026, 21:29legislation.gov.ukUnited Kingdom

Great Britain Increases Mesothelioma Lump Sum Payments From April 2026

The UK Government has increased statutory mesothelioma lump-sum payments in Great Britain by 3.8% effective 1 April 2026. This update maintains the value of compensation for asbestos-related diseases, reflecting the ongoing regulatory and financial significance of legacy health liabilities.

31 Mar 2026, 21:29legislation.gov.ukUnited Kingdom

Japan Cabinet Amends Enforcement Order for Asbestos Health Damage Relief Act to Increase Benefit Amounts

Japan has increased the statutory relief benefit amounts for victims of asbestos-related health damage, effective April 1, 2026. This administrative update reflects the rising costs of legacy health liabilities and reinforces the long-term financial risks associated with hazardous substance exposure.

28 Mar 2026, 20:30kanpo.go.jpJapan

US Department of Veterans Affairs Issues PACT Act Report on Treatment of Toxic-Exposure Conditions

The US Department of Veterans Affairs has released a mandated report analyzing health outcomes linked to military toxic exposures, including herbicides and burn pit emissions. This data-driven baseline will inform future federal policy on service-connected medical conditions and long-term liability for environmental health impacts.

28 Mar 2026, 09:34govinfo.govUnited States

Northern Ireland Increases Mesothelioma Lump-Sum Payments By 3.8% From 1 April 2026

Northern Ireland has increased lump-sum compensation payments for diffuse mesothelioma by 3.8%, effective April 1, 2026. This update adjusts the financial liability for occupational disease claims, reflecting inflationary increases in statutory compensation for asbestos-related health impacts.

27 Mar 2026, 20:48legislation.gov.ukUnited Kingdom

US MSHA Seeks Comment on Extension of Information Collection for Periodic Medical Surveillance Examinations for Coal Miners

The US Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is seeking public comment on the extension of mandatory medical surveillance reporting requirements for coal miners. While no substantive changes to existing health monitoring standards are proposed, operators should validate current data collection processes to ensure alignment with federal recordkeeping and respiratory health oversight.

27 Mar 2026, 17:12federalregister.govUnited States

Norwegian Government Signals Occupational Injury Law Proposal and Updated Occupational Disease List

Norway is preparing a new occupational injury bill for summer 2026 and an updated occupational disease list for year-end implementation. Businesses should prepare for broadened compensation criteria and potential increases in liability, particularly for high-strain and emergency-related roles.

27 Mar 2026, 11:57regjeringen.noNorway

New Mexico DOH Proposes Repeal and Replacement of 7.4.3 NMAC on Disease and Public Health Reporting

New Mexico is proposing to repeal and replace its public health reporting regulations, introducing expanded mandates for disease surveillance and electronic data submission by April 2026. Healthcare providers and laboratories should prepare for increased reporting burdens and infrastructure updates to comply with new sentinel surveillance and emergency department data requirements.

27 Mar 2026, 06:59nmhealth.orgUnited States

European Parliament Committee Drafts Directive on Work-Related Psychosocial Risks and Mental Health at Work

The European Parliament's EMPL Committee has published a draft directive to mandate the management of psychosocial risks and mental health, targeting a formal Commission proposal by late 2026. This initiative signals a shift toward stricter, harmonised EU standards for workplace mental health, potentially introducing mandatory risk assessments and expanded employer liability for work-related stress.

26 Mar 2026, 19:24europarl.europa.euEuropean Union

Michigan MIOSHA Amends Part 11 Appendices on Injury and Illness Recordkeeping and Electronic Reporting

Michigan has updated MIOSHA Part 11, revising industry-specific recordkeeping exemptions and electronic reporting mandates for workplace injuries and illnesses effective March 2026. Impacted businesses must reassess NAICS-based reporting obligations and headcount thresholds to ensure compliance with expanded digital data submission requirements.

26 Mar 2026, 12:25ars.apps.lara.state.mi.usUnited States

Canada Proposes Tighter Workplace Noise Limits and Hearing Loss Prevention Under Canada Labour Code

Canada proposes lowering the federal occupational noise exposure limit to 85 dBA and mandating comprehensive hearing loss prevention programs. Federally regulated businesses must prepare for enhanced audiometric testing, stricter signage requirements, and potential administrative penalties for non-compliance.

25 Mar 2026, 21:32gazette.gc.caCanada

Germany / BAuA Research Proposes QA/QC Framework for Wearable Light Loggers and Optical Radiation Dosimeters

Germany’s BAuA has endorsed a new quality assurance framework and open-source tools for wearable light loggers and optical radiation dosimeters. This establishes a technical baseline for occupational exposure monitoring and provides a likely blueprint for future regulatory measurement practices.

19 Mar 2026, 08:23baua.deGermany

Croatia Opens E-Consultation on Amendments to Asbestos Worker Compensation Laws for Plobest and Salonit

Croatia is consulting on expanding compensation rights for workers exposed to asbestos at specific industrial sites, with payments expected to begin in late 2026. This expansion signals a tightening of state-led liability for historical chemical exposures and could influence future occupational health and safety compensation frameworks.

17 Mar 2026, 19:43mzozt.gov.hrCroatia

Germany: Bavarian Higher Social Court Rules COVID-19 Workshop Infection Is Neither Occupational Accident Nor Occupational Disease

A Bavarian court has ruled that COVID-19 infections following standard work meetings do not qualify as occupational accidents or diseases without proof of specific workplace exposure. This decision limits employer liability for infectious diseases by upholding high evidentiary standards for workers' compensation, providing greater legal certainty for non-healthcare operations.

14 Mar 2026, 14:26gesetze-bayern.deGermany

Poland Labour Protection Council Adopts Resolutions on State Labour Inspectorate 2026 Programme and Workers’ Mental Health

Poland’s Labour Protection Council has formally adopted the 2026 inspection priorities and a specific resolution targeting workplace mental health, stress, and burnout. Employers should prepare for increased regulatory scrutiny on psychosocial risks and align internal health and safety programmes with the State Labour Inspectorate’s upcoming 2026 enforcement focus.

12 Mar 2026, 14:52rop.sejm.gov.plPoland

Croatia: Draft Amendments to Asbestos Worker Compensation Laws for Plobest and Salonit

Croatia has proposed draft amendments to expand compensation eligibility for former workers exposed to asbestos, with the first payments scheduled for late 2026. This development underscores the enduring liability and social responsibility risks associated with legacy hazardous substance exposure in industrial operations.

12 Mar 2026, 12:00mzozt.gov.hrCroatia