Compensation Screening

The Dust Diseases Board provides a medical screening service for workers and retired workers with a history of occupational dust exposure in order to determine their entitlements to compensation benefits under the Workers' Compensation (Dust Diseases) Act 1942.

• This service is provided at no cost to workers/retired workers who have had long term extensive exposures to dusts such as asbestos or silica.
• As a general rule because dust diseases are of slow onset applicants for compensation need only consider making an application 15 years after initial exposure.
• The 15 year time period ensures that x-rays will in most cases enable a proper diagnosis of a dust disease.
• There is no cost to an applicant who applies for compensation.
• Applicants with a history of dust exposure are reviewed by the DDB every two to three years to monitor their health condition and to ensure that they receive any entitlements they may have under the Act in a timely manner.
• Workers/retired workers lodging an application under the compensation protocol do not require legal representation before the Board for their application to be processed.
• Compensation screening involves a chest x-ray, lung function test, a medical examination by a doctor and a review of the results by the DDB Medical Authority.

The information provided by the DDB is meant only as a guideline.  If any individual has particular concerns about their exposure to harmful dust they should consult their doctor.