Occupational health and safety focuses on the causes of work-related injuries, illnesses, deaths, and the reduction of those risks. Risks can be from physical, mechanical, biological or chemical hazards in the workplace. Work-related injuries, illnesses and deaths are often preventable. Workplace safety can be improved by following health and safety guidelines.
Occupational Health and Safety Program
The goals of the Occupational Health and Safety Program at the Florida Department of Health are to characterize work-related injuries and illnesses and to use this information to inform prevention activities that will improve the health and safety of Florida’s workforce. The program is funded by a grant from the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).
Our activities include
- Surveillance of work-related injuries and illnesses
- Sharing findings with workers, employers and health care providers
- Collaboration with stakeholders in occupational health on intervention and education efforts
conducts surveillance of
- Work-Related Hospitalizations
- Fatal Work Injuries
- Work-Related Amputations
- Work-Related Burns
- Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in Workers
- Work-Related Pesticide-Associated Illness and Injury
- Work-related Illnesses such as Mesothelioma and Pneumoconiosis
Reports and Fact Sheets
Occupational Health Indicators
A set of surveillance measures called occupational health indicators have been designed through a joint effort between the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists (CSTE) and the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). These occupational health indicators are a set of 19 measures by which states can monitor the health of their workforce. The purpose of the indicators is to allow uniform examination over time, comparison between individual states and the nation, and to highlight areas that may need additional exploration.
The occupational health indicators are available online through the Environmental Public Health Tracking Portal.
National occupational health indicators are available from the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologist.
Reports
- Falls Reported Among Minority Employees Construction Pilot Study Final Report
- Building Occupational Lessons in Toxic Silica Pilot Project Final Report
- Occupational Health Indicators Over-Time
- Occupational Hazard Data Report
- Comparison of Health and Safety Concerns of Union and Non-Union Warehouse Workers
- Comparison of Health and Safety Concerns of Union and Non-Union Construction Workers
Heat-related Illness
- Assessing the Relationship of Ambient Temperature and Heat-Related Illness in Florida: Pilot Study of Orlando and the Surrounding Areas
- Descriptive Analysis of Heat-related Illness Treated in Florida Hospitals and Emergency Departments
- Descriptive Analysis of Occupational Heat-related Illness Treated in Florida Hospitals and Emergency Department
Young Workers
- Young Workers in Florida – A report on young workers in Florida ages 16 to 24.
- Health of Young Workers – A report on young workers ages 18-24, from 2004-2010 using National Health Interview Survey data.
- Health of Young Workers in the U.S.: Transportation, Warehousing, and Utilities Sector – A report on young workers from 2004-2010 using National Health Interview Survey data focusing on the NORA Transportation, Warehousing, and Utilities Sector.
- Health of Young Workers in the U.S.: Construction Sector – Report on young workers from 2004-2010 using National Health Interview Survey data focusing on the NORA Construction Sector.
Fact Sheets
- An introduction to the Florida Occupational Health and Safety Program. Florida Occupational Health and Safety Program Fact Sheet
- Overview of Costs Associated with Occupational Injury/Illness Hospitalizations and Emergency Department Visits
- Florida Construction Fall Fatalities Fact Sheet
- An A-Z Index on occupational safety and health issues are provided by the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health
- Information on Asthma
- Adult blood lead fact sheets for work exposures: English | Spanish | Creole
- Adult blood lead fact sheets for hobby exposures: English | Spanish | Creole
Florida Occupational Health and Safety Coalition
The coalition is a statewide, voluntary partnership of organizations and individuals committed, through community and state-level actions, to improving the surveillance, prevention, and control of occupational illness and injury in Florida.
The mission of the coalition is to promote and improve the health and safety of Florida‘s workforce by:
- Building partnerships among stakeholders in occupational health and safety by working across government agencies, private industries, universities, professional associations, non-profit agencies, organizations of workers (trade groups, alliances, unions), and any other organization impacting worker safety and health
- Developing strategies for effective outreach and education to employers and employees to prevent workplace injuries and illnesses
- Identifying priorities in occupational health and safety by assessing available data
- Advocating for implementation of best practices that protect worker health and increase awareness of worksite safety issues
- Providing guidance to the Florida Department of Health Occupational Health and Safety Program as it seeks to improve surveillance and monitoring for occupational illness and injury
Meetings
Each year the Florida Occupational Coalition will convene at least one in person meeting for the purpose of networking, building partnerships, and learning about the work of other stakeholders in occupational health and safety. Join the coalition by calling 850-245-4984.
Other Information about Occupational Health
- ABLES program conducts adult blood lead surveillance. The majority of elevated blood lead levels among adults are occupationally related.
- Information on Florida’s Workers’ Compensation for employers, employees, insurers and providers.
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health is the federal agency responsible for conducting research and making recommendations for the prevention of work-related injury and illness.
- Southeastern States Occupational Network is a partnership between entities in the southern states that focuses on fostering and increasing capacity for surveillance of work-related injuries and illnesses at the state and regional level.
- Sunshine Education and Research Center promotes graduate training and research related to occupational health and safety.
- University of South Florida’s Safety Florida Program offers free on-site consultations to assist Florida businesses with identifying hazards and meeting Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requirements. This program is separate from the OSHA enforcement program. They can also assist with record keeping, education and training.