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Group indicator for occupational diseases
An Occupational Disease (OD) is a disease contracted as a result of an exposure to risk factors arising from work. Recognition of the occupational origin of a disease, at the individual level, requires the establishment of a causal relationship between the disease and the exposure of the worker to certain hazardous agents at the workplace. This relationship is normally established on the basis of clinical and pathological data, occupational history (anamnesis) and job analysis, identification and evaluation of the occupational hazards as well as exposure verification. When a disease is clinically diagnosed and a causal link is established, the disease is then recognized as occupational. |
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ODs differ from occupational accidents insofar as the effects of an occupational accident on health are related to a sudden event that took place at a particular moment, whereas an OD is generally related to a repeated exposure and very rarely to a sudden event.
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The knowledge of ODs has become a growing priority for the Group, owing to:
- the importance of their occurrence and their consequences:
For a lot of various reasons, many diseases of occupational origin are never reported to local health bodies which may recognize them officially as ODs. Knowing them as extensively as possible helps to define relevant control measures and action plans for prevention at both public and occupational health levels.
The International Labour Office (ILO) estimates that fatal diseases account for about 85% of all work-related fatalities in the world (including fatal accidents) , but they remain largely invisible compared to fatal accidents. 
- the increasing legal constraints in many countries for workers’ health protection, coupled with ever more developed and effective systems for OD recognition require bigger attention for a better proactivity.
the important economic losses, for the Group but also for societies: work-related morbidity and mortality not only result in suffering and hardship for the workers and their family, but also represent a considerable financial burden for companies and communities through lost productivity (including compensation costs, reduced work capacity, absenteeism, lost earnings, replacement costs or early retirement) and increased use of medical and welfare services.
the impact of figures - especially related to short/mid-latency OD cases - on Syensqo's current management of exposures at the workplace and prevention of health risks.
- the required publication of OD figures in the Extra-financial Statements of the Group Annual Integrated Report, in accordance with the European Directive 2014/95/EU dealing with “disclosure of non-financial and diversity information by certain large undertakings and groups”. This indicator is already published by all American companies, and is required by several rating agencies. Moreover, in terms of commitment and image, Syensqo attaches importance to a transparent communication on this matter.
For all these reasons, a reliable reporting is essential and collection of data as exhaustive and detailed as possible is determinant.