SPF norms on injuries enhances workplace safety

Muscat: The Social Protection Fund (SPF) on Monday announced the Regulation on Work-related Injuries and Occupational Diseases, approved by the SPF’s board.
This insurance scheme forms part of the Social Protection Law, aiming to safeguard workers’ rights, enhance occupational safety standards, and strengthen partnership among employees, employers and the SPF.
SPF clarified that the provisions of the Work-Related Injuries and Occupational Diseases Insurance scheme apply mandatorily to all Omani workers including temporary contracts, trainees, and part-timers, in addition to retired working employees. The scheme will also apply to self-employed Omanis.
Regarding non-Omani workers, the SPF stated that coverage will be applied in accordance with categories and conditions to be specified by a Board decision. Employers are required to pay monthly contributions amounting to 1 per cent of insured contribution wage.
Shamsa bint Hamdan al Tamimi, Director of Medical Affairs at the SPF, said that a work-related injury is defined as any injury sustained during work or while performing job-related duties. Injuries resulting from work-related exhaustion or physical strain are likewise classified as work-related injuries under the regulation.

Al Tamimi clarified that the regulation distinguishes between work-related injuries and occupational diseases. While work-related injuries are typically caused by accidents and may result in disability or death, occupational diseases arise from prolonged and repeated exposure to hazardous factors in the workplace.
She cited prolonged exposure to high noise levels in industrial environments, which may lead to hearing impairment, as an example of an occupational disease.
She highlighted that the regulation takes into account psychological as well as physical health. Certain work-related psychological conditions resulting from excessive stress or exhaustion may be recognised as work-related injuries, subject to investigation and verification of a causal link between the condition, the work environment, and job performance. Such cases rely on certified medical reports and may include serious conditions such as heart or cerebral arterial blockages resulting from prolonged work-related stress and irregular working hours that contravene labour regulations.
With regard to reporting procedures, Al Tamimi said that employers are primarily responsible for reporting work-related injuries within five days of their occurrence. Occupational diseases must be reported within 14 days from the date the employer becomes aware of, or suspects, the disease.
She outlined four main benefits provided under the insurance scheme.
The first is the work-related interruption allowance, a daily benefit paid at 100 per cent of the insured's contribution wage during the first six months following the injury, and at 75 per cent thereafter if the interruption from work continues beyond six months.
In cases of occupational disability, the degree of disability is assessed by a medical committee. If the disability rate is less than 30 per cent, the insured is entitled to a lump sum compensation. If the disability reaches 30 per cent but does not amount to total disability, the insured becomes eligible for a permanent partial disability pension, with the right to combine it with earned wages. In the event of total disability, the insured shall be entitled to a monthly pension equivalent to 75 per cent of the relative average wage.