Occupational Health Surveillance
The Occupational Health Surveillance (OHS) program in the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) conducts activities to monitor occupational illness and injury among the Texas workforce and recommends preventive interventions to improve worker health and safety. Since 1986, DSHS has conducted surveillance of reportable occupational conditions, including acute pesticide-related illness and injury, elevated blood lead levels, asbestosis, silicosis, and other occupational illnesses and injuries. For the last 14 years, DSHS has received funding from the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) to conduct additional health and safety surveillance, including tracking a set of Occupational Health Indicators (OHIs) defined by the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists.
Mission
Improving worker health and safety in Texas by providing recommendations to prevent work-related injuries, illnesses, and hazardous exposures.
News and Updates
During 2007–2015, 10 states identified 3,222 illnesses related to “bug bomb” use. Learn more in the recent MMWR article, "Acute Illness and Injuries Related to Total Release Foggers- 10 States, 2007-2015"
Programs and Activities
- Pesticide Exposure Surveillance in Texas (PEST) Program
- Asbestosis and Silicosis Surveillance
- Occupational Health Indicators
- Adult Blood Lead Epidemiology and Surveillance (ABLES)