By Black Press
Nov 04 2005
Firefighters from around the province packed the public gallery at the legislature as the B.C. government introduced legislation to extend their protection against several common cancers.
Labour Minister Mike de Jong introduced changes to the Workers Compensation Act that will recognize a group of cancers as occupational diseases associated with long-term employment as a firefighter. The cancers are primary site brain, bladder, kidney, colorectal and ureter cancer, primary non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and primary leukemia.
De Jong said despite the higher incidence of these cancers among firefighters, the previous legislation put the onus on a firefighter to show the condition was contracted due to hazards at work. The amendment requires the employer to show why a firefighter shouldn't be eligible for workplace compensation.
The change takes effect for firefighters diagnosed after April 11, 2005. Depending on the cancer, full-time employment of between five and 20 years is required to qualify.
Nov 04 2005
Firefighters from around the province packed the public gallery at the legislature as the B.C. government introduced legislation to extend their protection against several common cancers.
Labour Minister Mike de Jong introduced changes to the Workers Compensation Act that will recognize a group of cancers as occupational diseases associated with long-term employment as a firefighter. The cancers are primary site brain, bladder, kidney, colorectal and ureter cancer, primary non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and primary leukemia.
De Jong said despite the higher incidence of these cancers among firefighters, the previous legislation put the onus on a firefighter to show the condition was contracted due to hazards at work. The amendment requires the employer to show why a firefighter shouldn't be eligible for workplace compensation.
The change takes effect for firefighters diagnosed after April 11, 2005. Depending on the cancer, full-time employment of between five and 20 years is required to qualify.