Occupational Health Indicators

These indicators provide information about the health and safety of workers in Maryland.

What is an Occupational Health Indicator?

• An occupational health indicator is a measure of a work-related disease or injury, or a factor associated with occupational health, such as workplace exposures, hazards, or interventions, in a workforce population.
• These indicators are a set of 19 measures that are used to monitor the health of Maryland's workforce. Each indicator highlights a risk factor or category of injury or illness that can be tracked over time and compared to other states and the nation to highlight both successes and areas that may need additional exploration to protect the safety and health of Maryland's workers.

What are the Occupational Health Indicators Used For?

Roughly 3 million people work in Maryland, and in 2009 nearly 4 of every 100 workers experienced a work-related injury or illness and there were 65* work-related fatalities. Tracking these indicators allows Maryland to:

• Measure baseline health of worker populations
• Identify trends and patterns of work-related injury, illness, and death
• Identify problem areas that require attention
• Reduce preventable workplace injuries
• Increase consistency and availability of occupational disease and injury surveillance data

Work-related injuries, illnesses, and deaths are largely preventable. By tracking work-related incidents we are better able to understand the underlying issues leading to these outcomes. This will help guide efforts to prevent these incidents in the future and improve the health and safety of work places in Maryland.

Where does the data for the Occupational Health Indicators come from?

• These indicators are prepared using a number of different data sources, including US Census data, MD Hospitalization data, and Bureau of Labor Statistics data and other state and national data sources.
• Refer to the “More about this Indicator” section for information on the data source used for a particular indicator.

More about these Indicators

The occupational health indicators were created through a joint effort between the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists (CSTE) and the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).

For more information on the Occupational Health Indicators, or to view other states' data please visit the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists web page

The Occupational Health Indicators

Profile of Maryland Workers

Occupational illness and injuries combined

• Indicator 1: Non-fatal injuries and illness reported by employees
• Indicator 2: Work-related hospitalizations

Acute and Cumulative Occupational Injuries

• Indicator 3: Fatal work-related injuries
• Indicator 4: Amputations reported by employers
• Indicator 5: Amputations identified in state workers’ compensation systems (not available)
• Indicator 6: Hospitalizations for work-related burns
• Indicator 7: Musculoskeletal disorders reported by employers
• Indicator 8: Carpal tunnel syndrome cases identified in state workers’ compensation systems (not available)

Occupational Illnesses

• Indicator 9: Pneumoconiosis hospitalizations
• Indicator 10: Pneumoconiosis mortality
• Indicator 11: Acute work-related pesticide poisonings reported to poison control centers
• Indicator 12: Incidence of malignant mesothelioma

Occupational Exposures

• Indicator 13: Elevated blood lead levels among adults (not available)

Occupational Hazards

• Indicator 14: Workers employed in industries with high risk for occupational morbidity
• Indicator 15: Workers employed in occupations with high risk for occupational morbidity
• Indicator 16: Workers employed in industries and occupations with high risk for occupational mortality

Intervention Resources for Occupational Health

• Indicator 17: Occupational safety and health professionals
• Indicator 18: Occupational safety and health administration (OSHA) enforcement activities

Socioeconomic Impact of Occupational Illnesses and Injuries

• Indicator 19: Workers’ compensation awards

Cumulative Occupational Injury

• Indicator 20: Work-related low back disorder hospitalizations (not available)