Miner’s knee officially a work disease

The government had accepted an Industrial Injuries Advisory Council (IIAC) report on osteoarthritis of the knee and will make the condition an industrial disease for mineworkers later this year.

The announcement follows a campaign by the NUM mineworkers’ union. Chris Kitchen, NUM national secretary, welcomed the announcement. He stated: “This is a substantial success for the hard work done by the NUM in respect of this crippling disease.”

The IIAC report on osteoarthritis of the knee recommended coverage for miners with ten or more years work either underground, as a faceworker working non-mechanised coal faces, or a development worker or conveyor belt cleaner or attendant.

The full IIAC report is at: http://www.iiac.org.uk/pdf/command_papers/Cm7440.pdf