Kathmandu— For the first time, the government has legally recognized various diseases caused by workplace conditions as “occupational diseases.” The Ministry of Labor, Employment, and Social Security has published an official list of these diseases in the Gazette, in accordance with the Labor Regulations, 2075.

With this decision, health problems that arise in workers due to workplace dust, chemicals, noise, or the nature of their work will no longer be treated as individual issues but will be addressed through legal frameworks. This move aims to ensure the health rights of millions of workers and to hold employers more accountable for maintaining safe work environments.

The government has classified occupational diseases into eight categories:

Diseases caused by chemicals: Including exposure to chromium, lead, mercury, benzene, gases that cause respiratory obstruction, sulfur dioxide, zinc, organic solvents, chlorine, and various pharmaceutical agents.

Diseases caused by physical factors: Such as hearing loss, effects of radiation, and health issues from working in extreme temperatures.

Infectious or parasitic diseases caused by of biological causes: Including Hepatitis B and C, HIV, brucellosis, anthrax, tetanus, tuberculosis, and leptospirosis.

Respiratory system diseases: Such as pneumoconiosis, siderosis, bagassosis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Skin diseases: Allergies and dermatitis caused by contact with chemicals or other substances.

Musculoskeletal disorders: Including carpal tunnel syndrome, tenosynovitis, bursitis, and meniscus lesions.

Mental and behavioral disorders: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) resulting from workplace accidents or violent incidents.

Occupational cancers: Resulting from exposure to asbestos, chromium, coal tar, benzene, ionizing radiation, bitumen, mineral oil, wood dust, arsenic, cadmium, and viruses like Hepatitis B and C.

According to Chapter 12 of the Labor Act, 2074, if a worker suffers from an occupational disease, the employer is legally responsible for covering the necessary treatment costs. In cases where treatment is not possible, the worker must be compensated financially.