SOP Bulletin No. 98

8 — th Floor, 259 Queen St, Brisbane — 1 — st Floor Blackburn House, 199 Grenfell St, Adelaide

Intranet site:  http://intranet/nat/comp/dp/Nop/dsu/dsudefault.htm

14 November 2005

THE FOLLOWING RMA SOPS ARE TO TAKE EFFECT ON 16 NOVEMBER, 2005

IMPORTANT OPERATIONAL FEATURES

All SOPs are now being issued in a new format.  The citation for each instrument is given in a new Clause 1.  The result of this is that all other clauses have been renumbered.  For example, the SOP factors are now in c — lause 6 (previously clause 5).

• These are new SOPs.  It is expected that these SOPs may be applicable to claims from workers involved in the deseal-reseal of aircraft tanks.
• The definition of the disease has a number of requirements, which are clearly set out in Clause 3(b), Parts (A) (1) & (2), (B) and (C).  In summary, global mental impairment and multiple cognitive deficits must be manifested by persistent neurovegetative symptoms (listed) and in neurobehavioural testing (requirements listed).  These deficits must cause significant impairment in social or occupational functioning and represent a decline from a previous level of functioning.  There must be evidence that the deficits are aetiologically related to the persisting effects of organic solvents, and not due to another condition.
• This diagnosis would usually be made by a neurologist and neurobehavioural testing would be required.
• Each SOP has three factors.  The first factor is for having drug dependence or abuse involving an inhalant, which includes petrol, butane or a specified volatile substance (defined). 
• The second factor requires fifty episodes of acute volatile substance intoxication in 2 years RH/1 year BOP, with onset time requirements.  This factor is expected to be used the most.
• The third factor requires inhaling, ingesting or having cutaneous contact in a unventilated or confined space, on more working days than not for 5 years RH/10 years BOP, with onset time requirements.
• These two factors relate to a specified volatile substance, but do not include petrol or butane.

• The factors for permanent ligamentous instability have been removed.
• For the hip or knee joint only, there is a new causal and worsening factor in both RH and BOP for ascending or descending stairs or rungs of a ladder, with quantity and time requirements.
• There are new causal and worsening factors in both RH and BOP for haemarthrosis (bleeding into the joint) of the affected joint.
• The frostbite factors now read frostbite involving the affected joint - previously it was frostbite to the skin overlying the affected joint.
• The lifting loads factors now apply to the ankle, as well as the hip or knee.  The obesity factors now apply to the hip, ankle or hand, as well as the knee.
• There are new inability to obtain appropriate clinical management factors.

• All the changes described here for cervical spondylosis have also been made for thoracic and lumbar spondylosis.  Further changes for thoracic and lumbar are detailed below.
• The factors for disordered joint mechanics and permanent ligamentous instability have been removed, and been replaced by new causal and worsening factors in both RH and BOP for a specified list of spinal conditions.  The conditions are scoliosis, spondylolisthesis, retrospondylolisthesis, a deformity of a vertebra, a deformity of a joint of a vertebra, and necrosis of bone.
• The separate factors for exposure to G forces have been removed.  The development of pain, tenderness and altered mobility or movement following exposure to positive G forces is now covered in the trauma to the spine factor.  The definition of trauma has been changed to include G forces.
• In the BOP SOP, there has been minor rewording of the factors dealing with carrying loads and, for cervical only, flying in high performance aircraft, without change in meaning.
• There are new inability to obtain appropriate clinical management factors.

• The following additional changes have been made for thoracic and lumbar spondylosis.
• The factors for repetitive or persistent flexion, extension or twisting, and flying in high performance aircraft for a cumulative total of hours have been removed.
• There has been minor rewording of the factors for lifting or carrying loads.  The requirement for “manually” lifting or carrying has been removed, and the weight bearing must now occur through the relevant spine.

Remember! If you are having any problems with SOPs, or SOPs in CCPS, talk to us!