Georgia Occupational Health Surveillance Program

Project Summary
The Georgia Department of Public Health Occupational Safety and Health Surveillance Program
(GA-OHS) proposes to strengthen its current occupational safety and health surveillance and
build upon its capacity by establishing a Fundamental-Plus Program. GA-OHS will continue to
systematically collect, analyze, interpret, and disseminate data on the state employment profile
and the 24 OHIs that have been recommended by the National Institute for Occupational Safety
and Health (NIOSH) and the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists (CSTE).
Additionally, the GA-BRFSS, will be analyzed annually to obtain data for two identified state-
specific OHIs: workplace secondhand smoke exposure and arthritis among employees. Georgia
Violent Death Reporting System (GA-VDRS) data will also be analyzed annually for a new
state-specific indicator on work-related violent deaths to determine the magnitude of workplace
and work-related homicides and suicides in Georgia.
GA-OHS will conduct in-depth analyses and surveillance of OHIs with rates that have increased
over time in Georgia, OHIs that have rates above the national average, and those identified as
emerging issues. These priority OHIs and emerging conditions include work-related
transportation incidents, work-related pesticide associated illness and injury, and work-related
COVID-19. In collaboration with the DPH Environmental Health Section, GA-OHS will
implement follow-back investigations of resident incident cases age 16 years and older with
elevated BLLs of ≥ 25 µg/dL.
GA-OHS proposes to maintain and build upon its current capacity to conduct Fundamental OH
Surveillance by establishing two new in-depth surveillance activities (Fundamental-Plus
projects). For Project One, GA-OHS will conduct in-depth assessment and follow-back activities
for work-related and workplace suicides. Follow-back activities will be conducted with employers
who would like to receive mental health trainings or resources available for their employees. For
Project Two, GA-OHS will work in collaboration with the Georgia Council on Respiratory Health
Promotion and DPH Asthma Control and Prevention Program to create a policy and intervention
program for work-related asthma.
GA-OHS will maintain an Advisory Committee including representatives of key partners and
stakeholder organizations and agencies. We will also participate fully in CDC/NIOSH- and
recipient-convened meetings or conference calls of grantees and collaborate with other state
surveillance programs and key organizations on topics of mutual interest. GA-OHS will use
results from data analyses and surveillance findings to inform the development of new
partnerships and facilitate implementation of intervention and/or prevention activities. Expected
project outputs and outcomes include, but are not limited to:
• Occupational health surveillance reports, data summaries, and scientific journal articles
• Increased awareness and development of resources for work-related transportation
incidents, work-related pesticide injuries/illnesses, and work-related COVID-19
• Development and dissemination of lead exposure educational materials, guidance, and
training resources for workers and employers to help reduce occupational lead
exposures
• Increased awareness of workplace and work-related suicides in Georgia
• Development and dissemination of resources to increase mental health awareness in
workplaces
• Development and dissemination of work-related asthma educational materials for health
care providers, employers, and workers
• A policy for surveillance and intervention of work-related asthma.

Grant Number: 5U60OH010908-11
NIH Institute/Center: ALLCDC
Principal Investigator: A. Bayakly