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Occupational Health Indicators

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occupational indicators 
Thanks to the New Jersey Department of Health & Senior Services Silicosis Surveillance & Intervention Program for contributing photos to this website

Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologist (CSTE) Occupational Health Indicators 

In 2006, the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) was awarded a cooperative agreement from the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) to implement and state-based occupational condition surveillance system. Since then, DSHS has used methods specified by the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists' (CSTE) to systematically collect occupational health indicator data.  

An occupational health indicator is a specific measurement of a work-related disease or injury. OHIs allow a state to monitor trends over time, identify high-risk groups, and develop targeted interventions to reduce worker morbidity and mortality. 

OHIs have been generated by participating states and compiled to track state and national trends. Data for all participating states can be viewed on CSTE's OHI website

Health Conditions of the Occupational Health Indicators: 

Demographics 
Profile: Employment Demographics 

Occupational Injuries and Illnesses Combined
Indicator # 1: Non-fatal Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses Reported by Employers 
Indicator # 2: Work-Related Hospitalization 

Acute and Cumulative Occupational Injuries 
Indicator # 3: Fatal Work-Related Injuries 
Indicator # 4: Work-Related Amputations with Days Away from Work Reported by Employers 
Indicator # 5: State Workers' Compensation Claims for Amputations with Lost Worktime 
Indicator # 6: Hospitalization for Work-Related Burns 
Indicator # 7: Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders with Days Away from Work Reported by Employers 
Indicator # 8: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Cases Filed with the State Workers' Compensation System 

Occupational Illnesses
Indicator # 9: Hospitalization from or with Pneumoconiosis 
Indicator # 10: Mortality from or with Pneumoconiosis 
Indicator # 11: Acute Work-Related Pesticide-Associated Illness and Injury Reported to Poison Control Centers 
Indicator # 12: Incidence of Malignant Mesothelioma 

Occupational Exposures
Indicator # 13: Elevated Blood Lead Levels Among Adults 

High Risk for Occupational Morbidity / Mortality 
Indicator # 14: Percentage of Workers Employed in Industries at High Risk for Occupational Morbidity 
Indicator # 15: Percentage of Workers Employed in Occupations at High Risk for Occupational Morbidity 
Indicator # 16: Percentage of Workers Employed in Industries and Occupations at High Risk for Occupational Mortality 

Other Health Conditions
Indicator # 17: Occupational Safety and Health Professionals 
Indicator # 18: OSHA Enforcement Activities 
Indicator # 19: Workers' Compensation Awards 
Indicator # 20: Low Back Disorders Hospitalizations 
Indicator # 21: Asthma Among Adults Caused or Made Worse by Work 


Occupational Indicators Educational Materials

PowerPoint Presentations:  

Texas Poison Center Network and Occupational Pesticide Exposure Surveillance - TPCN, a key component of the infrastructure. 

Occupational Surveillance Programs: 


Occupational Health Hazards ─ On Focus

Dangers of Bathtub Refinishing - Methylene chloride as the main active ingredient. 

Erionite Associated with Lung Disease -  A Zeolite that can cause mesothelioma similar to asbestosis. 

OSHA Fall Prevention Campaign - Invaluable information on construction fall prevention by OSHA. 

OSHA, NIOSH, and CPWR Construction Fall Prevention Campaign - webpage for construction fall prevention campaign by OSHA and collaborating federal agencies. 

Fall Prevention in Construction -  Fact sheets on fall prevention. 

Prevención de Caídas en Construcción  -  Hojas informativas sobre caídas en español. 

Preventing Silicosis and Death in Construction Workers - Risks of respirable silica in various industries. 

Best Practices for Dust Control in Coal Mining - Informational material also applicable to silicosis. 

Hospital Mercury Exposure Concerns LHC - Investigation of suspected mercury contamination of healthcare providers in Texas hospital. 

National Occupational Health and Safety Resources

Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists Occupational Health 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health 

NIOSH State-based Occupational Health Surveillance Clearinghouse - Showcasing participating states' reports. 
NIOSH Science Blog - Select and emerging occupational health issues. 
The National Occupational Research Agenda (NORA) and NORA Sectors 

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) ─   A brief introduction to OSHA   ─   Newsletter, Subscribe! 

The U.S. Chemical Safety Board 

National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences - National Clearinghouse for Worker Safety and Health Training 


* External links to other sites are intended to be informational and do not have the endorsements of the Texas Department of State Health Services. These sites may also not be accessible to people with disabilities. *