New Mexico Occupational Health Surveillance Program

Project Summary The New Mexico Occupational Health Surveillance Program (NMOHSP) has been in existence for over 17 years. The program collects, compiles and analyzes data from many sources and uses them to identify and address areas of concern for worker safety and health. NMOHSP was instrumental in the addition of occupational illnesses and injury to the list of notifiable conditions in the state of New Mexico. NMOHSP collects, generates and interprets 24 Occupational Health Indicators, receives and analyzes workers' compensation and hospital discharge data, and has ensured that industry and occupation questions are a part of the state's Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System every year. NMOHSP staff carry out in-depth case investigations for occupational exposure to toxins reported to New Mexico Poison and Drug Information Center, elevated blood lead levels in adults, and deaths or injuries in the workplace reported in the media. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, NMOHSP has aided the Infectious Disease Epidemiology Bureau (IDEB) with the collection and analysis of occupational data on COVID-19 cases, and the New Mexico Occupational Health and Safety Administration (NM OSHA) in identifying workplaces with multiple COVID-19 cases to allow for quick intervention. In the current Fundamental Plus application, NMOHSP proposes to continue fundamental activities with a specific focus on standardizing protocols and providing clear documentation and planning that will allow the program to increase capacity and effectiveness. NMOHSP has a growing role and impact and meeting full potential can best be achieved with careful planning, organization and evaluation. In addition, NMOHSP will analyze the COVID-19 case data on occupational and industry and use the findings to release a public report, including a priority list of industries and occupations who appear to be at elevated risk. In close partnership with NM OSHA, this report will be used to develop industry/occupation specific guidance on prevention of respiratory infectious disease spread in the workplace. This guidance is greatly needed, not only for current COVID-19 efforts, but for future pandemics, and even to decrease the impact of seasonal influenza. Lastly, NMOHSP will work with the New Mexico Department of Health's Office of the Tribal Liaison on a comprehensive long-term plan for effective communication and partnership with the state's indigenous sovereign nations.