Although occupational injuries, illnesses, and fatalities are largely preventable through efforts such as occupational health surveillance, enforcement, outreach, training, and education, they continue to be significant public health issues. There were more than 950 fatal work-related injuries in New Jersey from 2010-2020 which represent a fraction of the total work-related injuries over time. Using multiple data sources to track workplace injury and illness, the NJDOH Occupational Health Surveillance Unit develops intervention strategies and practical solutions in an effort to reduce hazards in New Jersey workplaces. There has been a decrease in asbestosis hospitalizations and deaths resulting in a slight decrease in total pneumoconiosis deaths. Also, with a decrease in manufacturing, the closing of a large lead acid battery manufacturing facility, and the implementation of more efficient electronic reporting there has been a downward trend in elevated adult blood lead level cases. It should be noted that 2020 data were likely influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic as businesses were closed, essential workers may have been ill, or individuals lost their jobs. 

2018-2023

Policies

• N.J.A.C. 8:58-1.4, 1.6, 1.7: The administrator of any hospital in which any person has been diagnosed with reportable occupational diseases, injuries, or poisonings shall report such disease or poisoning to NJDOH.
• N.J.A.C. 8:58-1.5, 1.6, 1.7: The health care provider attending any person who is ill or diagnosed with any reportable occupational diseases, injuries, or poisonings shall, within 30 days after diagnosis or treatment, report such conditions to NJDOH.
• N.J.A.C. 8:44-2.11: Laboratory supervisors shall report the results of laboratory examinations for hazardous substances (lead, mercury, arsenic, and cadmium) in blood and urine to NJDOH within 48 hours of the completion of the analysis.

Outreach

• Infographic: “Health Alert! Stone Countertop Fabrication Workers at Risk for an Incurable Lung Disease”  In 2019, some states had started to see an increase in silicosis cases among younger workers involved in stone countertop fabrication, which initiated a larger campaign for education and outreach in this industry. Therefore, an infographic was published and distributed in response.
• Infographic: “Lead Poisoning in New Jersey Firing Ranges” This infographic was published after over 30 indoor firing range workers presented with blood lead levels considered unsafe for adults.
• Infographic: “Tree Work is Dangerous: Don’t get hurt, get trained!” Work-related fatalities that occur because of natural and man-made disasters are a serious public health concern. As a direct result of the effects of Hurricane Sandy, three tree care workers were fatally injured, which resulted in increased surveillance and outreach to this occupation group.
• Infographic: “Don’t Take Lead Dust Home From Work“ This infographic aims to raise awareness about exposing family members at home to lead dust brought from the workplace and provides information on how to get family members tested for lead. This can be found on the NJDOH Occupational Health Surveillance page in both English and Spanish. 

Grants received by NJDOH

• CDC National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Occupational Health Surveillance Fundamental Plus 5-year grant

Assets/resources

• NJDOH partners with the New Jersey Poison and Information System (NJPIES) to increase surveillance of work-related chemical exposures in the state.
• NJDOH partners with The Committee for the Advancement of Arboriculture to promote and facilitate education and outreach to tree care workers in New Jersey.
• New Jersey regional Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) offices and the NJDOH Public Employees Occupational Health and Safety (PEOSH) are able to investigate and provide enforcement in workplaces when occupational health events are identified through surveillance of occupational illnesses and injuries.
• NJDOH helps to promote and facilitate important occupational health surveillance and education and outreach through its partnerships with Rutgers School of Public Health.
• The NJLINCS Health Alert Network has proven to be an efficient and effective way to quickly disseminate emergency and routine information to members of the New Jersey public health community.

Challenges

• New Jersey has a very diverse, multi-lingual working population. It can be difficult to reach undocumented workers, day laborers, and temporary workers to educate them about occupational exposures and risks.

Disparities/inequities

• Over 90 percent of fatal occupational injuries are among men because they are more likely to work in high-risk occupations.
• Hispanics are at higher risk of occupational injury and illness due to:
  • Disproportionate employment in higher risk occupations
  • Higher proportionate work in hazardous industries
  • Language and cultural barriers which may result in lack of training and sometimes personal protective equipment or being unaware of safety regulations.

Final Assessment

Three of the four Occupational Safety and Health targets were achieved by 2020.

• Targets were achieved for:
  • Construction-related fatalies
  • Pneumoconiosis deaths
  • Occupational lead exposure
• The target was not achieved for overall (all industries) work-related fatalities.

For more information, please refer to these resources:

• NJDOH Occupational Health Surveillance 
• NJLWD Public Safety and Occupational Safety and Health
• NJ Workers' Compensation 
• NJ Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses  
• NJ Fatal Occupational Injuries Surveillance
• National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
• Healthy People 2030