A delivery van driver employed by a lead-acid battery company develops lead poisoning after chronic exposure while loading batteries at customer sites away from the company premises. Which legislation provides for monetary compensation in this situation?

• A Factories Act 1948, since lead poisoning is a scheduled disease
• B Employees' State Insurance Act 1948 only, because he works outside the factory
• C Public Liability Insurance Act 1991
• D Employees' Compensation Act 1923 (renamed in 2010), since the disease arises out of employment irrespective of place ✓

Explanation

The Employees' Compensation Act 1923 (earlier the Workmen's Compensation Act, renamed in 2010) pays compensation for injury or occupational disease arising out of and in the course of employment, wherever it occurs. Lead poisoning is listed in its schedule of diseases. The Factories Act machinery for occupational disease notification applies to work within factory premises, so it does not fit this exposure occurring off-site.

Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 27th ed.

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