Analysis of the national list of occupational diseases in accordance with the recommendations of the ILO in 2022: integration into European legislation

Abstract

Introduction: In connection with the reintegration processes of Ukraine's accession to the European Union, the system of recognition, registration, accounting of occupational diseases and the corresponding legislative and methodological base must be adapted to international requirements and recommendations. The level of occupational morbidity in the country does not reflect its real state due to many social and medical reasons. The purpose of the study: analysis of the new edition of the List of occupational diseases and instructions for its use by the ILO in 2022, comparison of its main provisions with a similar list in Ukraine with the aim of the upcoming adaptation of the of occupational diseases registration system in Ukraine to the requirements of the European Union in connection with the process of European integration. Materials and methods: Analytical review of scientific publications was performed using databases of scientific libraries Pub Med, Medline and text databases of scientific publishing houses Pub Med, Central, BMJ group and other VIP databases. The main legislative documents of Ukraine and the International Labor Organization regulating the process of occupational diseases recognizing are analyzed. System and content analysis methods are used. Results: A comparative analysis of materials on the occupational diseases recognition according to the ILO recommendations, as well as similar domestic documents, revealed the unity of general principles. However, at the same time, significant differences were found in the formation of the list of occupational diseases. The ILO list of occupational diseases provides more detailed information on the causative agent, data on occupational exposure to hazardous substances, features of etiopathogenesis, toxicological profile for chemicals, and biological mechanisms for physical and biological factors, main health effects and diagnostic criteria, as well as measures of occupational diseases prevention. This information is not included in the domestic list of occupational diseases and instructions for its use, which significantly limits the possibilities for diagnosing and objectifying of occupational diseases. Considering Ukraine's preparations for joining the European Union, it is obvious that it is necessary to revise domestic legislation regarding the occupational diseases recognition in accordance with international standards and ILO recommendations.