Occupational disease according to No. 2103 of the Annex to the Occupational Diseases Ordinance

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Occupational diseases according to No. 2103 of the Annex to the Occupational Diseases Ordinance (BK-2103) are diseases that arise from vibrations when working with compressed air tools or similarly acting tools or machines.

Pneumatic tools cause shocks and vibrations. These can be transferred from the machine's handles to the hand, arm and shoulder. Machines with low frequencies (between 5 and 50 Hz) pose a particular risk to certain joint sections on the hand and arm.

After a longer exposure time (usually over two years), osteoarthritis can develop in certain joints . The elbow joint is particularly often affected, the second most common being the distal pivot joint between the ulna and the radius of the wrist . The shoulder joint is less often affected.

In addition to these three joint sections, there are also three special forms:

  • A fracture of the scaphoid bone can also occur as part of BK 2103 . If the fracture does not heal, a navicular pseudarthrosis develops .
  • Another special case that is occasionally observed in the wrist is lunar bone death or lunar bone necrosis , which can also arise as part of an occupational disease according to No. 2103.
  • In the area of ​​the elbow, the vibrations can cause pieces of bone to loosen from their joint structure and get into the joint as a free joint body . Discomfort and sudden pinching in the joint are the result.

If you suspect an occupational disease according to No. 2103, the responsible accident insurance institution (usually the employers' liability insurance association ) should be informed. The professional association then initiates an examination of the question of connection. In such a so-called determination procedure, it is checked whether the work-related requirements and the medical requirements are met.

If the joint damage is recognized as an occupational disease according to No. 2103, the question arises whether the consequences of the occupational disease are also to be assessed with a reduction in the ability to work (MdE). If the reduction in earning capacity is 20 percent or more, the person injured by working with compressed air tools receives a pension payment.

Corresponding damage can occur even long after the stressful activity (e.g. working with jackhammers) has been discontinued and damage that has occurred (e.g. joint arthrosis) can worsen later.

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