Interpretation of Classification and Catalogue of Occupational Diseases

First, why should we adjust the classification and catalog of occupational diseases?

In 1957, China first issued the "Regulations on Trial Implementation of Occupational Disease Range and Treatment Measures for Occupational Diseases," identifying 14 occupational diseases. By 1987, this was adjusted to 9 categories and 99 types. In 2002, with the implementation of the Occupational Disease Prevention Law, the former Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Labor and Social Security released the "Clinical Catalogue of Occupational Diseases," expanding the list to 115 types. Over time, as China's economy developed rapidly and new technologies, materials, and work methods emerged, the range of occupational hazards faced by workers became more diverse and complex. Many localities, departments, and laborers pointed out that the existing catalogue had not been updated in over a decade and could no longer accurately reflect the current situation. Therefore, it became necessary to make appropriate adjustments.

On December 31, 2011, at the 24th meeting of the Standing Committee of the 11th National People's Congress, the "Decision on Amending (The Occupational Disease Prevention Law of the People's Republic of China)" was passed. It stipulated that the classification and catalogue of occupational diseases would be formulated, adjusted, and issued by the health administrative department of the State Council in coordination with the State Council’s production safety supervision and administration department, labor security, and other relevant government departments. The trade union organization supervises the prevention and treatment of occupational diseases according to law, ensuring the legal rights and interests of workers. Based on these provisions, the National Health and Family Planning Commission, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, the State Administration of Work Safety, and the All-China Federation of Trade Unions jointly conducted the adjustment of the "Classification and Catalogue of Occupational Diseases."

Second, why was the "Occupational Disease List" changed to "Occupational Disease Classification and Catalogue"?

In 2002, the former Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the former Ministry of Labor and Social Security, issued the "List of Occupational Diseases," increasing the number to 10 classes and 115 types. Compared to the 1987 classification, this added one category: diseases caused by physical factors. The revised "Classification and Catalogue of Occupational Diseases" still maintains 10 categories but adjusts three of them. To align with the classification and catalogue outlined in the Occupational Disease Prevention Law, the original "List of Occupational Diseases" was renamed to the "Classification and Catalogue of Occupational Diseases."

Third, how was the Classification and Catalogue of Occupational Diseases adjusted?

Based on the Occupational Disease Prevention Law, in January 2012, the National Health Commission, together with the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, the State Administration of Work Safety, and the All-China Federation of Trade Unions, initiated the adjustment of the "Classification and Catalogue of Occupational Diseases." A leading group was established, along with working and technical groups, to define the mechanisms, principles, and selection criteria for occupational diseases. Through questionnaires, status analyses, and international practices, the technical group convened three expert meetings and proposed a basic framework and a list of diseases to be added. After extensive discussions and feedback from relevant departments and experts, the draft was finalized and reviewed by the leading group. Public opinions were then solicited, and after further negotiations and consensus-building, the final version of the "Classification and Catalogue of Occupational Diseases" was officially issued.

What is the principle of adjustment of the Classification and Catalogue of Occupational Diseases?

The adjustment follows several key principles:

1. People-oriented, focusing on protecting the health and rights of workers.
2. Highlighting key occupational diseases based on national prevention and treatment practices.
3. Aligning with China's current economic and social development and the ability to manage industrial injury insurance.
4. Maintaining continuity and operability of the catalogue.
5. Establishing a dynamic adjustment mechanism for the "Catalogue."
6. Ensuring openness, transparency, and full consideration of opinions from all sides.

What are the principles for selecting occupational diseases?

Occupational diseases are defined as illnesses caused by exposure to dust, radioactive substances, or other harmful factors in the workplace. The selection of such diseases must meet the following criteria:

1. A clear cause-effect or dose-response relationship.
2. A significant number of exposed individuals.
3. Reliable diagnostic methods.
4. Clear distinction between professional and non-professional groups through defined conditions.
5. Specificity to the occupational population.

What adjustments have been made to occupational diseases?

According to the adjustment principles and selection criteria, the revised "Classification and Catalogue of Occupational Diseases" reduced the total number of occupational diseases from 115 to 13 open standards. Among them, 18 new diseases were added, two existing terms were merged, and 16 disease names were adjusted.

What changes have been made to the classification of occupational diseases?

After the adjustment, occupational diseases remain divided into 10 categories, but three categories were renamed. First, "pneumoconiosis" and "other occupational diseases" were combined into "professional pneumoconiosis and other respiratory diseases." Second, "occupational poisoning" was reclassified as "professional chemical poisoning." Third, "occupational diseases caused by biological factors" was renamed to "professional infectious diseases."

What changes have been made to occupational pneumoconiosis and other respiratory diseases?

In the category of occupational pneumoconiosis, the term "pneumoconiosis" was updated to "pneumoconiosis." For other respiratory diseases, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease caused by irritant chemicals, metal dust, and lung deposition (such as tin, iron, strontium, barium, and their compounds) was added. Additionally, "allergic alveolitis" was renamed to "allergic obstructive inflammation."

What changes have been made to occupational skin diseases, eye diseases, and ENT diseases?

In the category of occupational dermatoses, one new disease—white spot—was added, and "photosensitive dermatitis" was renamed to "photoinduced contact dermatitis." The classification of occupational eye diseases remained unchanged. In the category of occupational ENT diseases, an additional disease—knocking—was introduced.

What changes have been made to occupational chemical poisoning?

Five new occupational diseases were added, including indium compound poisoning, bromopropane poisoning, methyl iodide poisoning, chloroacetate poisoning, and ethylene oxide poisoning. Several existing terms were also revised, such as changing "uranism" to "uranium and its compounds poisoning" and "industrial fluorosis" to "fluorine and its inorganic compounds poisoning." Other terms like "organophosphorus pesticide poisoning" were simplified to "organic phosphorus poisoning."

What changes have been made to occupational diseases caused by physical factors and occupational radioactive diseases?

Two new occupational diseases were added: "laser-induced eye (cornea, lens, retina) injury" and "frost injury." In the category of occupational radioactive diseases, the scope of radiological tumors was expanded to include lung cancer caused by miner's sorghum exposure.

What changes have been made to occupational infectious diseases?

Two new occupational diseases were added: "AIDS (among healthcare personnel and the People's Police)" and "Lyme disease." The term "Bruschtosis" was changed to "Brucella."

AIDS among medical and health personnel and the People's Police refers to infections contracted through exposure to HIV-infected blood, body fluids, or contaminated medical equipment during occupational activities or duties.

Lyme disease is a zoonotic illness transmitted by tick bites, commonly found in forested areas. Long-term workers in these regions are at higher risk of infection.

What changes have been made to occupational cancer?

Three new occupational cancers were added, including lung cancer and pleural mesothelioma caused by iron zeolite, skin cancer caused by coal tar, and bladder cancer caused by B-naphthylamine. Several existing terms were revised, such as changing "arsenic-induced lung cancer" to "arsenic and its compounds-induced lung cancer," and "chromate manufacturing workers' lung cancer" to "six chromium compounds-induced lung cancer."

What changes have been made to other occupational diseases?

One change involved renaming "coal mine worker's bursitis" to "bursitis (limited to underground workers)." Another addition was "femoral vein thrombosis syndrome, femoral artery occlusion, or lymphovascular occlusive disease (limited to scraping operators)." These changes expanded the scope of affected occupational groups and recognized the risks associated with manual scraping operations.

Who are the main groups affected by the adjustment of the Classification and Catalogue of Occupational Diseases?

The revised "Classification and Catalogue of Occupational Diseases" now covers workers in various industries, including carbon, metallurgy, non-ferrous metals, chemicals, forestry, construction materials, and mechanical processing, as well as low-temperature workers, medical personnel, and the police.

According to the "Administrative Measures for the Diagnosis and Identification of Occupational Diseases" and the "Occupational Diseases Classification and Catalogue," what treatment benefits do occupational patients receive?

Workers diagnosed with occupational diseases are entitled to corresponding treatment under the Occupational Disease Prevention Law and the Regulations on Work-related Injury Insurance. If the employer has participated in work-related injury insurance, the costs are covered by the insurance fund and the employer. If not, the employer is responsible for payment. Workers who cannot confirm their employment relationship with the employer may apply for assistance from the local government for medical care and financial support.

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