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.

For more state-specific information, please see the Texas Occupational Health Indicators Report 2003-2012.

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 Work-Time
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

Power Point Presentations:

The Public Health Impact of Occupational Injury and Illness
Fatal Occupational Injuries 2006 - 2010

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

Occupational Surveillance Programs:

Pesticide Exposure  ─ Pesticide Exposure Surveillance in Texas (PEST)

Asbestosis

Silicosis

Occupational Health Hazards ─ On Focus:

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

Eriocite 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.*

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