Independent report

Stress and post-traumatic stress disorder at work: IIAC position paper 13

A review of stress and post-traumatic stress disorder at work in relation to the Industrial Injuries Scheme.

• From: Industrial Injuries Advisory Council and Department for Work and Pensions
• Published: 26 February 2004

Documents

Stress at work as a prescribed disease, and post-traumatic stress disorder

Ref: IIAC position paper 13

PDF, 67.6 KB, 11 pages

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Details

The council reviewed whether, and under what conditions, it might be possible to extend the list of prescribed diseases for which Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit is payable to include the risk of illness following stressful exposures at work. The review focused on mental health problems, but also considered physical illnesses linked with stress at work.

Also, a review of the outcome of cases referred to the Social Security Commissioners identified post-traumatic stress disorder as a particular difficulty.

After reviewing the evidence, the council was unable to identify circumstances under which it would recommend extending the list of prescribed diseases for which people can claim Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit to include illness due to stress at work.

To include post-traumatic stress disorder under the accident provisions, the council concluded that it should be a single relevant event that had the potential to cause serious injury to the individual or others present at the time.

Published 26 February 2004