14 October 2020
Jan MacPherson
[FYI request #13838 email]
Tēnā koe Jan
Your Official Information Act request, reference: GOV-006935
Thank you for your email of 18 September 2020, asking for the following information under the Official
Information Act 1982 (the Act):
I respectfully request information in relation to the number of covered claims for gradual process
work related carpal tunnel injuries
I seek this information in relation to those people employed in an administration type role who
are using a computer for long periods daily in their employment
Limitations to ACC’s data
The data set available to ACC is reliant on the information provided on an ACC45 injury claim form,
which is completed when a person seeks treatment for their injury. ACC collects two kinds of data to
identify what kind of work a client does when a claim is lodged for a work-related injury. The client is
asked to provide their occupation on the ACC45. This is self-reported and subjective, as two people who
have the same occupation may respond differently.
The client’s employer is identified as they are often involved in the client’s rehabilitation and the claim
may have an impact on the employer’s levies. In addition, ACC records the employer’s business activity
which applies to the employer regardless of the individual employees’ roles. This means, for example, an
administrator for a building company would be recorded under the employer’s classification unit of
‘
House construction’.
Accordingly, we are unable to determine from the client occupation, or employer business activity, if a
specific client’s role is administrative, or what level of computer use is involved.
To provide the information to level of detail you are seeking, if it is available, would require reviewing
hundreds of work-related carpal tunnel claims and involve substantial research or collation. Therefore,
we are refusing your request under section 18(f) of the Act. We did consider extending the time limits
for responding to your request under the Act. However, the amount of documentation to be looked at,
the time required, and the necessary diversion of resources would have unreasonably interfered with
ACC’s operations.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome statistics
While we are unable to provide the level of detail you are seeking, we are able to provide high level
data. The two tables below summarise claims for work-related gradual process for carpal tunnel
syndrome, by employer industry and client occupation. We trust that you find this of some interest. The
data was extracted on 28 September 2020 and may differ if extracted at a later date.
ACC takes privacy seriously
ACC does not routinely disclose low value claim numbers. Therefore, for some entries in the tables
provided we have used the value <4 and double dots (..) where the claim count is less than four or
GOV-006935
suppression is required. This limits the potential for particular individuals, or matters specific to certain
individuals, from being identified. This decision is made under section 9(2)(a) of the Act, to protect the
privacy of these individuals. In doing so, we have considered the public interest in making the
information available and have determined that it does not outweigh the need to protect the privacy of
these persons.
Table 1: Accepted claims for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome as work-related gradual process injury by
employer industry group and financial year of claim registration.
Employer industry group
2015/16
2016/17
2017/18
2018/19
2019/20
Agriculture, Forestry, and Fishing
60
49
37
28
32
Mining
<4
<4
<4
Manufacturing
76
70
44
67
59
Electricity, Gas, and Water Supply
<4
<4
<4
Construction
61
50
51
58
42
Wholesale Trade
9
5
6
6
<4
Retail Trade
28
19
14
12
14
Accommodation, Cafes, and Restaurants
4
5
<4
4
<4
Transport and Storage
<4
<4
<4
<4
<4
Finance and Insurance
<4
Property and Business Services
18
5
11
9
6
Government Administration and Defence
<4
<4
<4
Education
<4
<4
<4
Health and Community Services
<4
6
<4
<4
Cultural and Recreational Services
<4
5
<4
<4
<4
Personal and Other Services
5
8
8
7
9
Unknown
55
40
26
36
16
Total
326
260
211
234
195
Table 2: Accepted claims for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome as work-related gradual process injury by client
occupation high-level group and financial year of claim registration.
Client occupation high-level group
2015/16
2016/17
2017/18
2018/19
2019/20
Trades Workers
103
81
78
84
72
Plant and Machine Operators and Assemblers
66
63
49
56
49
Agriculture and Fishery Worker
..
..
43
40
35
Elementary Occupations
42
26
20
29
20
Service and Sales Workers
14
9
11
7
6
Professionals
9
5
<4
9
5
Associate Professionals and Technicians
7
5
<4
4
5
Legislators, Administrators and Managers
<4
5
<4
<4
<4
Clerks
<4
<4
<4
<4
Total
326
260
211
234
195
Accident Compensation Corporation
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GOV-006935
Who to contact
If you have any questions, you can email me at
[email address]. If you are not happy with this response, you have the right to make a complaint to the Ombudsman.
Information about how to do this is available at
www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or by phoning 0800
802 602.
Nāku iti noa, nā
Sasha Wood
Manager Official Information Act Services
Government Engagement & Support
Accident Compensation Corporation
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