Under which condition is a disease considered an occupational disease?

A disease is considered an occupational disease when there is a direct causal connection to the workplace. This means that the disease must result from the conditions or environment of the employee's work. When making a determination about whether a disease qualifies as an occupational disease, it is essential to establish that the exposure or activity at work is directly responsible for causing the illness. This could include factors such as exposure to harmful substances, repetitive motions, or any work-related stressors that have a proven link to the illness.

Situations where the disease is contracted outside of work do not establish the necessary link between employment and the disease. Similarly, a disease that is common among the general population lacks the specific workplace connection required for it to be classified as an occupational disease. Self-reporting by an employee alone does not provide sufficient evidence to establish the causal relationship necessary for classification as an occupational disease; objective medical evidence and the context of work conditions are imperative in such determinations. Thus, the focus on a direct causal relationship to the workplace is what differentiates an occupational disease from other types of illnesses.