12:25 pm, Thursday 7 February, 2013

Photo: SafetyCulture Library

A new legislation which would give firefighters easier compensation claims access if they contract cancer has been introduced on Wednesday.

According to a ninemsn report, the legislation will make it easier for firefighters who get any one of the 12 cancers commonly linked to their type of work, to seek WorkCover compensation.

Victorian Greens MP Colleen Hartland introduced the bill and said it would remove difficulties that professional and volunteer firefighters face when accessing WorkCover compensation and insurance if they get cancer from toxic chemical and smoke exposure.

Volunteer Fire Brigades Victoria chief executive Andrew Ford said the reforms would allow a firefighter to prioritise treatment and recovery instead of proving how they contracted the disease.

Opposition emergency services spokeswoman Jacinta Allan said the opposition supports the legislation and will work with all parties to progress the bill through parliament.

However, Premier Ted Baillieu said the proposal has certain “complexities” to work through before the government backs up the bill.

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01:53 pm, Saturday 3 November, 2012

The WA State Government is committed in introducing laws which will make availing for worker’s compensation claim easier for firefighters with cancer.

The Treasurer Troy Buswell through an ABC report said that drafting will commence soon but the laws will not be introduced before the end of the parliamentary year. He also expressed his confidence that it will receive bi-partisan support.

“We can work on that, on drafting that legislation, working on the detail now,” said Mr Buswell.

“I suspect that it will be introduced into the parliament quickly after the election.

“I like to think that this sort of legislation will progress fairly quickly through the parliament.”

Mr Buswell said 12 types of cancer will be covered by the laws.

In a report by The West Australian, United Firefighters Union of Australia WA secretary Kevin Jolly welcomed the plan and said several international studies reveal that firefighters are diagnosed with cancer at higher rates than the general public due to the smoke, toxins and carcinogens they were exposed to while doing their job.

He said five union members have already died from cancer in the past two years and 30 were in remission.

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12:55 pm, Tuesday 31 July, 2012

NSW WorkCover is investigating a coal loading facility in Newcastle after a report revealed that workers were three times more likely to be diagnosed with cancer than the general population.

A study of 859 people who have worked at Kooragang Island from 1983 to 2006 found that 63 employees were diagnosed with cancer. Fifty eight of these cases were men. The study was conducted by the University of Newcastle.

AAP reported that prostate cancer, melanoma and bowel cancers make up almost two thirds of the cases detected. A spokesman for WorkCover said the agency is coordinating with the Department of Health and the Office of Environment and Heritage to conduct a preliminary assessment of the findings.

“WorkCover will continue its active involvement in the issues that have been raised in the report,” said the spokesman.

John Attia, an epidemiology professor who led the research told AAP that the risk of those who were diagnosed with cancer was in the mid-range of hazardous workplaces.

The Maritime Union of Australia’s Newcastle branch secretary Glen Williams requested for an investigation into the cause of the cancer outbreak.

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