This report details the strategic plan for the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council (IIAC) for 2004/2006.
IIAC is a statutory body established in 1948 under the National Insurance (Industrial Injuries) Act 1946. It provides independent advice to the Secretary of State for the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) on matters relating to the Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit (IIDB) Scheme.
The statutory provisions governing the Council's work are set out in Section 171 of the Social Security of the Social Security Administration Act 1992. The Council has three roles:
The Council is a non-departmental public body and has no power or authority to become involved in individual cases or in the decision-making process.
The Council adheres to guidance provided in the Code of Practice for Scientific Advisory Committees and the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments (OCPA). The Council is committed to issues relating to diversity and equality.
The Council is committed to undertaking its statutory obligations as detailed in the National Insurance (Industrial Injuries) Act 1946. In addition, the Council's goal is to ensure that workers who suffer an injury or illness due to their occupation can be compensated by the IIDB Scheme. The specific aims of the Council for 2004/2006 and beyond are to:
The work strategy for IIAC for 2004/2006 will include:
1.1 IIAC plans to complete its report on the asbestos-related diseases by September 2004.
2.1 IIAC has commissioned a review about occupational coverage for chronic bronchitis and emphysema (excluding underground coal workers) from the Institute for Environment and Health in Leicester. The report is expected mid-2004.
3.1 Work-related upper limb disorders (WRULD) were the third most commonly reported group of occupational diseases in the UK in 2001/2002, according to HSE statistics.
3.2 IIAC has considered representations made to it that impingement syndrome of the shoulder should be added to the list of prescribed diseases. The matter was referred to the Council's Research Working Group - the sub-group of the Council that reviews scientific evidence.
3.3 IIAC plans to hold an Expert Meeting on WRULD in June 2004. The meeting will bring together experts in the field for presentations and open discussions. The findings of this meeting will provide the basis on which the Council formulates its conclusions. It plans to complete its report by mid-2005.
4.1 The Council is currently reviewing this topic and plans to complete its report by the end of 2004.
5.1 IIAC plans to complete its review of the scheduled list by the end of 2005. The conditions still outstanding are A3 (dysbarism), A6 (beat knee), A9 (miners' nystagmus), D2 (byssinosis), D5 (non-infective dermatitis), D6 (carcinoma of the nasal cavity), D10 (primary carcinoma of the lung), D11 (primary carcinoma of the lung with silicosis).
6.1 Recent media attention has focused on occupational diseases in professional sportspersons, for example Alzheimer's disease in footballers and mental illness in boxers.
6.2 The Council plans to address this issue in 2004 by carrying out literature searches and obtaining the views of experts in the field. It plans to complete its report in Spring 2006.
7.1 In 2003/2004, IIAC held its second annual Public Meeting in Glasgow. Public Meetings provide a valuable opportunity for the Council to interact with representatives of the public. IIAC plans to hold the next one in Cardiff in March 2005, and the following one, provisionally, in Newcastle upon Tyne. The aim is to locate the Public Meetings at different sites around Great Britain.
8.1 New members will be appointed to reflect the work programme over the next two years.
8.2 There will be a managed induction programme to introduce members to the Council and become active more quickly. This programme will be administered by means of an induction pack, mentoring and specific projects.
8.3 In line with government policy in relation to all non-departmental government bodies, there will be equal opportunities training for all Council members.
8.4 IIAC plans to continue its managed system of appraisal for all Council members in line with OCPA guidance.
8.5 IIAC intends to maintain close links with IIU and CMG so as to provide a coherent and responsive advisory service relevant to the changing needs of the department.
8.6 IIAC will continue to look for ways to work more closely with HSC/HSE on areas of common interest.