What are the Most common occupational disease in Canada?

The most common occupational diseases in Canada, as reported by the Association of Workers' Compensation Boards of Canada (AWCBC) for 2021, are:

1. Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs): MSDs are injuries or disorders that affect the muscles, tendons, ligaments, nerves, blood vessels, or other soft tissues of the body. They are often caused by repetitive motions, awkward postures, or heavy lifting. MSDs accounted for 37% of all accepted workers' compensation claims in Canada in 2021.

2. Mental stress: Mental stress is a condition that results from excessive mental demands or pressures at work. It can manifest as anxiety, depression, burnout, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Mental stress accounted for 28% of all accepted workers' compensation claims in Canada in 2021.

3. Hearing loss: Hearing loss is a permanent or temporary reduction in the ability to hear sounds. It is often caused by exposure to loud noise at work. Hearing loss accounted for 11% of all accepted workers' compensation claims in Canada in 2021.

4. Respiratory diseases: Respiratory diseases are conditions that affect the lungs or airways. They can be caused by exposure to dust, fumes, gases, or other airborne contaminants at work. Respiratory diseases accounted for 7% of all accepted workers' compensation claims in Canada in 2021.

5. Skin diseases: Skin diseases are conditions that affect the skin. They can be caused by exposure to chemicals, solvents, or other hazardous substances at work. Skin diseases accounted for 5% of all accepted workers' compensation claims in Canada in 2021.

6. Cancer: Cancer is a disease in which cells in the body begin to grow out of control. Some types of cancer are linked to exposure to hazardous substances at work, such as asbestos, benzene, and diesel exhaust. Cancer accounted for 3% of all accepted workers' compensation claims in Canada in 2021.