Occupational Illness Law and Legal Definition
An occupational illness (or disease) is defined by Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) as, "any abnormal condition or disorder, other than one resulting from an occupational injury, caused by exposure to factors associated with employment." Some of the common types of occupational illnesses include asthma and other respiratory problems, pesticide poisoning, and lead poisoning.
The law requires companies using hazardous materials to maintain Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS). The MSDS lists a particular product's ingredients, any known health hazards, precautions for safe handling, and permitted exposure limits. OSHA regulation requires that employees have access to these sheets. The MSDS often helps in identifying acute signs and symptoms rather than long-term health effects of a product.
