Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act, 1993 (Act No. 130 of 1993)Circular InstructionsCircular Instruction No. 181 - Compensation for Occupational Contact Dermatitis4. Benefits |
The benefits according to the Act:
| 1. | Temporary disablement |
Payment for temporary total or partial disablement shall be made for as long as such disablement continues, but not for a period exceeding twenty-four months.
| 2. | Permanent disablement |
| • | The permanent disablement shall be determined after removal from exposure or maximum medical improvement has been reached. |
| • | The total impairment score (sum of the scores for the affected body part and the medication prescribed) shall be used to determine permanent disablement using Table 3. The maximum percentage permanent disablement for occupational contact dermatitis would be 50%. |
| • | Where an employee has received maximum compensation for permanent disablement due to contact dermatitis, further compensation shall NOT be payable for disablement caused by re-exposure to the original agent. |
| 3. | Medical aid |
Medical aid shall be provided for a period of 24 months from the date of diagnosis or longer, if in the opinion of the Director-General, further medical aid would reduce the extent of the disablement. Medical aid covers costs of diagnosis of occupational contact dermatitis and any necessary treatment provided by any medical practitioner as well as the costs of chronic medication in the sensitised individuals. Medical aid will also be provided for episodes of acute on chronic flare-ups. The Compensation Commissioner shall decide on the need for, the nature and sufficiency of medical aid supplied.
| 4. | Death Benefits |
Reasonable burial expenses, widow’s and dependant’s pensions may be payable, where applicable, if the employee dies as a result of occupational contact dermatitis.
Table 3 : Summary of Impairment Scores for Dermatitis |
|
Total Impairment Score |
Permanent Disablement |
1-5 |
10% |
6-10 |
15% |
11-15 |
20% |
16-20 |
25% |
21-25 |
30% |
26-30 |
35% |
31-and above |
50% |