Surveillance for key occupational diseases in Taiyuan, 2017

ObjectiveTo understand the distribution of key occupational hazards and the characteristics of occupational diseases in Taiyuan, Shanxi province, and provide scientific evidence for the prevention and control of occupational diseases.

MethodsThe occupational hazards information, occupational health surveillance data and incidence data of 10 key occupational diseases in Taiyaun from January 1 to December 31, 2017 were collected for a descriptive epidemiological analysis.

ResultsA total of 51 815 workers exposed to occupational hazards were discovered in 612 large state-owned enterprises of mining and manufacturing in Taiyuan. Coal dust and noise exposures were the most common occupational hazards, affecting 26 401 and 16 887 workers, respectively. A occupational health surveillance for 42 458 persons/times was conducted in 2017, and the surveillance rate was 72.07%. A total of 30 suspected occupational disease cases and 64 occupational contradiction cases were reported. In 2017, there were 100 new occupational disease cases reported, including 83 coal worker pneumoconiosis cases, 9 noise deafness cases, 7 silicosis cases and 1 welder pneumoconiosis case.

ConclusionA comparably high proportion of workers were exposed to coal dust and noise, and coal worker pneumoconiosis was the most common occupational disease in Taiyuan. So, the control of occupational hazards and occupational health management for exposed population should be strengthened in related enterprises.