Notifiable Occupational Disease
The Notifiable Occupational Disease System (NODS) is a voluntary system that anyone can use to notify The Department of a health problem that may have been caused by work.
Who can make a NODS notification?
Anyone can make a notification by completing the NODS notification form [size: 64KB] and posting it to their nearest regional Department of Labour Office.
How can work affect people’s health?
Examples are:
- Chemicals or metal fumes generated by work processes can cause breathing difficulties such as asthma.
- Solvents or glues used at work for painting, printing and building can cause skin allergies such as dermatitis, and can affect your nervous system.
- Repeated movements, constant muscle tension or lifting may cause an overuse disorder.
Why is it important that I make a NODS notification?
To protect your own health and that of your workmates.
A notification:
- Alerts your workplace that a workplace activity may have caused harm.
- Ensures other employees receive medical screening and if necessary treatment.
- Helps to prevent other employees being harmed.
What happens once I make a NODS notification?
When the regional Department of Labour Office gets your form, it will assign your case to a health and safety inspector.
Your inspector and the Departmental Medical Practitioner may decide to conduct a preliminary personal health assessment and ask you about your occupation and workplace tasks. If this assessment shows that your condition could have been caused by workplace activities, your inspector may choose to investigate your workplace.
Why is it important that The Department contact my workplace if my condition is caused by workplace activities?
If your personal health assessment shows that your ill health could be linked to your workplace activity, a workplace investigation will:
- Inform the employer that a workplace activity may have caused harm.
- Assist the employer in the identification and management of the hazards that could have led to the harm.
- Ensure that, if it is required, other employees receive medical screening and if necessary treatment.
- Ensure that no other person is harmed in the future.
