key: cord-0684403-ngusq6ll authors: Sandal, Abdulsamet; Yildiz, Ali N. title: COVID-19 as a recognized work-related disease: The current situation worldwide date: 2021-01-22 journal: Saf Health Work DOI: 10.1016/j.shaw.2021.01.001 sha: 65bbb4ebb8ba978372550efc72e3a840a0d65dad doc_id: 684403 cord_uid: ngusq6ll Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), which is a newly emerging infectious disease worldwide, can be categorized as an occupational disease, because employees, particularly in the healthcare system, can be infected at the workplace. As of December 15, 2020, we summarized the occupational safety and health practices in selected countries on the recognition of COVID-19 as one of the occupational risks. The situation has differed among countries, including the recognition status and whether a specific regulation existed. International organizations, namely the International Labour Organization, World Health Organization, and European Union, should plan and conduct studies on the work-relatedness of COVID-19, propose criteria for recognition, and add the infection to the occupational disease list to provide a basis for specific country regulations. Stakeholders should also act to adjust country-level legislation. The novel Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID -19) has been defined as the new occupational disease of the decade and suggested to be recognized worldwide since the early phases of the pandemic [1, 2] . The importance of occupational diseases includes their direct relation with working life and preventability. Additionally, the legal aspect of occupational diseases entitles workers to compensation, which is recognized by insurance institutions. Different countries have their own insurance and compensation systems, in line with local conditions. Thus, the practice for occupational diseases also varies among countries. The practice of selected countries on COVID-19 contracted due to occupational risks as of December 15, 2020 , are summarized in Table 1 . Some countries have made amendments to their legal system to recognize COVID-19 as an occupational disease (e.g., Argentina, France, Norway, and South Africa) [2] [3] [4] [5] or work accident (e.g., Italy) [6] . Belgium, Japan, and the Republic of Korea have announced the J o u r n a l P r e -p r o o f recognition of COVID-19 upon certain defined criteria [7] [8] [9] . The United States has permitted federal employees to apply for compensation if contracting COVID-19 due to their duties as either traumatic injury or occupational disease [10] . Besides, various state-level regulations have been made for nonfederal employees [11] . Germany has announced a possible recognition as an occupational disease [12] , particularly for healthcare workers. Despite the initial opposite approach, the recognition as a work accident after a case-based assessment has also been defined [13] . In Malaysia, the recognition of COVID-19 as an occupational disease was published after news in the media [14] . Several other countries, including the Peoples' Republic of China, Singapore, and Taiwan, have announced possible recognition according to their current system for workers' compensation [15] [16] [17] . Australia has also announced a possible compensation after a case-based evaluation [18] . In Turkey, no legislative change specific to COVID-19 has been made yet, and current legislation [19] has been pointed out despite ongoing discussion for specific regulations. In Brazil, the situation got complicated when a regulation suggested COVID-19 would not be considered as an occupational disease, except proving the causal link, was published. However, the Federal Supreme Court suspended that regulation [20] . As the number of workers, particularly healthcare workers, contracting the infection due to occupational risks increases, the work-relatedness of COVID-19 seems undeniable. In those countries where COVID-19 is not recognized, international guidance is needed. In the instance where workers are directed to existing workers' compensation practices without adjustments for COVID-19 (e.g., criteria for the recognition in healthcare and non-healthcare workers), problems associated with the pandemic period can be added to the ongoing difficulties of reporting and compensating for occupational diseases. The advice from international organizations can also overcome these problems. The decree published on September 14, 2020, defined specific criteria for the recognition of COVID-19 as an occupational disease [4] . The criteria include COVID-19 cases requiring oxygen therapy, ventilatory assistance or cases resulting in death. Deutsche Gesetzliche Unfallversicherung, abbreviated as DGUV) declared that COVID-19 might be accepted as an occupational disease according to BK 3101 Annex I for healthcare, lab, or other workers with similar occupational exposure risk, which is higher than the risk of the general population [12] . The DGUV has revised its initial approach and declared possible recognition as an occupational accident after a case-based assessment [13] . Italy Work accident A regulation published on March 17, 2020, accepts confirmed COVID-19 cases in the workplace as a work accident [6] . Japan Recognition according to certain criteria Workers developing COVID-19 are eligible for the benefits of the Workers' Accident Compensation Insurance after the recognition [8] . The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare has announced criteria and case samples for recognition of COVID-19 in healthcare and non-healthcare workers on its website in Japanese. Work accident / Occupational disease The Ministry of Employment and Labor has addressed the Korea Workers' Compensation & Welfare Service (KCOMWEL) for possible recognition and compensation under the Industrial Accident Compensation Insurance Act [9] . The KCOMWEL has announced the first recognized case and annexed the criteria for the recognition in healthcare and non-healthcare workers on its website in Korean. Occupational disease The Social Security Organisation declared on April 3, 2020, that COVID-19 developed after direct exposure to infected persons due to the nature of the work would be accepted as an occupational disease [14] . Norway Occupational disease COVID-19, with severe complications, has been added to the compensated occupational disease list since March 2020 [2] . Singapore No specific regulation, but can be compensated The Ministry of Manpower declared that COVID-19 infection contracted from exposure due to work is compensable under the Work Injury Compensation Act, which includes the compensation of diseases directly attributable to occupational exposure to a biological agent [16] . Occupational disease COVID-19 was accepted as an occupational disease on March 23, 2020, if developed due to exposure in a high-risk workplace or an assignment in a high-risk region [5] . Turkey Ongoing discussion for specific regulations, but can be compensated according to current legislation No legislative change specific to COVID-19 has yet been made. However, the current legislation allows for the compensation of unlisted occupational infectious diseases, with conclusive evidence of work-relatedness and laboratory tests [19] . A corresponding practice is also in effect for employees of public institutions. United States of America The Department of Labor has declared that all federal employees who develop COVID-19 due to their federal duties are entitled to workers' compensation coverage defined in "the Federal Employees' Compensation Act." Federal employees should fill the form for traumatic injury or occupational disease [10] . The regulations vary among different states and employees [11] . *Listed in alphabetical order. COVID-19, Coronavirus disease 2019. Occupational risks for COVID-19 infection COVID-19 should be recognized as an occupational disease worldwide International Labour Organization. COVID-19 and the labour market in Argentina Factsheet for case FR-2020-38/1465 -measures in France: Recognition of COVID-19 as an occupational disease Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act: Compensation for occupationally-acquired Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19). Staatskoerant; 2020 Measures adopted in Italy to support workers, families and enterprises during the COVID-19 emergency COVID-19: a new work-related disease threatening healthcare workers COVID-19 and labour law The Republic of Korea Ministry of Employment and Labor Department of Labor Office of Workers' Compensation Programs (OWCP) Division of Claims under the Federal Employees' Compensation Act due to the 2019 Novel Coronavirus COVID 19 Workers Compensation Regulatory Update COVID-19 among Health Workers in Germany and Malaysia SARS-CoV-2 infection can also be an occupational accident International Labour Organization. Malaysian Social Security Organisation confirms Covid-19 is an occupational disease eligible for workers' compensation Medical workers with COVID-19 eligible for workplace accident insurance Ministry of Manpower. Can I claim WICA compensation for COVID-19 infection? Explanation of Rules Regarding Workers' Leave and Wages for Such Leave in Response to COVID-19 Prevention Measures COVID-19 Information for workplaces, General industry information, Workers' compensation A Report on the Comparative Study of Occupational Diseases Registration Practices and Surveillance in Turkiye Case law compilation: Covid-19 / Brazilian Federal Supreme Court. Brazil: STF, Secretaria de Altos Estudos, Pesquisas e Gestão da Informação The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest. No funding was received.