Department of Health and Human Services

Occupational Disease and Injury Reporting

Reportable occupational diseases and injuries include:

• Silicosis (ICD9 code 501)
• Asbestosis (ICD9 code 502)
• Elevated blood lead levels (> 40 µg/dL) in adults age 18 and older
• Serious and preventable farm injuries caused by tractors, farm equipment, or farm machinery
• Acute Pesticide-Related Illness and Injury

Since January 1, 1994, physicians and laboratories must report, and medical facilities may report, the above-named conditions within 15 days of diagnosis to Occupational & Environmental Epidemiology (OEE), N.C. Department of Health and Human Services. Reports are made on surveillance forms (Report of Occupational Illness or Injury, OHSP-01 (pdf document)) provided by or approved by OEE Occupational Surveillance.

Reporting

When a physician or medical facility makes a report, the following information must be included:

• diagnosis
• patient’s name, address, telephone number, date of birth, Social Security number, race, gender, and job title
• employer’s name, address, telephone number, and type of business
• reporter’s (physician’s, laboratory’s, or medical facility’s) name, address, and telephone number

When a laboratory reports laboratory findings related to occupational disease or illness, the following information must be included:

• specimen collection date
• patient’s name, age, gender, race, and Social Security number
• submitting physician’s/employer’s name, address, and telephone number
• name, address, and telephone number of the laboratory

Where to send reports
Reports can be mailed (see address below) or faxed (919-870-4810) to Occupational Surveillance. Staff are gradually implementing electronic submission capability.

The mailing address is:
     Occupational Health Surveillance
     Occupational & Environmental Epidemiology
     NC Department of Health and Human Services
     1912 Mail Service Center
     Raleigh, NC 27699-1912

Confidentiality
Patients’ names are confidential and are not released without consent. Only aggregate information is provided to the public.

What Happens after a Case is Reported
In some cases, patients are interviewed to gather additional information about a worksite and assess potential hazards. Often, information is provided to patients and their health care provider about related health concerns and workplace protections. A worksite visit may be recommended to evaluate the work environment depending upon the number of reports, severity of the illness, extent of the hazard, wishes of the patient/worker, and guidance of the reporting physician.

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