WHSCC announcement called a positive step for shipyard workers

Burin-Placentia West MHA Clyde Jackman called a Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation Commission (WHSCC) announcement last week "a positive step" towards ensuring sick shipyard workers are properly compensated.
WHSCC CEO Leslie Galway announced the creation of an Occupational Disease Advisory Panel (ODAP) to provide oversight on occupational disease matters and to address government's action plan Wednesday.
The organization also announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Institut de recherche Robert-SauvÉ en santÉ et en sÉcuritÉ du travail (IRSST), a renowned leader in the area of occupational health and safety research.
Mrs. Galway suggested the changes would broaden medical and scientific knowledge available to the organization.
It could have implications for a sizable number of shipyard workers with cancer in Marystown, who are fighting for compensation.
Following an assessment of the occupational disease issues currently being addressed by the WHSCC, the panel has approved a medical and scientific review of the literature with regards to cancer among shipyard workers.
The WHSCC is currently finalizing contractual arrangements with IRSST to have them complete the review.
FIRST STEP
Mr. Jackman acknowledged both the Local 20 MWF/CAW union and Marystown Shipyard Families Alliance have been fighting to have ill workers at the facilities in the community recognized for the dangers they faced over the years.
"It's very positive, but I'd still like to echo that this is the first step."
The MHA acknowledged he met with Bernadine Bennett, co-chair of the Marystown Shipyard Families Alliance, and other members of the group Thursday. He said he would continue to offer them his support going forward.
Mr. Jackman indicated the WHSCC has "identified that there needs to be work done around cancers that came out of the shipyard. Where that takes us at this particular point, we don't know, but it is a major step."
Mrs. Bennett acknowledged her group was pleased with the announcement. In a prepared statement released Friday, she indicated "We are delighted with the formation of a panel to advise WHSCC on complex occupational diseases of shipyard workers in Newfoundland and Labrador.
"This is a positive, reassuring step recognizing the high burden of occupational diseases that occur in shipyard workers. Our committee considers it essential that shipyard workers in Marystown have their exposures be considered unique and as a result of complex toxic chemical/dust exposures in highly confined spaces.
"We will be encouraging this panel to make the direct comparison of shipyard workers diseases to the much more thoroughly studied firefighters."
COMPLEX ISSUE
Ms. Galway acknowledged greater access to medical and scientific information is necessary to determine entitlement to compensation for workers and families impacted by occupational disease. "Occupational disease is a complex issue, with decisions regarding compensation requiring expertise from the global medical and scientific community, and we have begun the process of acquiring that information.
"This initiative represents a proactive, knowledge-based approach that will give us access to the best scientific and medical advice and evidence available to support the timely and effective resolution of claims for occupational disease."
The creation of the ODAP, and new partnership with the IRSST, will allow for the transfer of key medical and scientific knowledge to the WHSCC, health care professionals and other parties with an interest in occupational disease in the province.
The panel's voting members include worker representative George Kean, employer representative Elizabeth Forward and WHSCC chair Ralph Tucker.