The Epidemiology and Surveillance section of the NIOH is involved in:

• Conducting independent and commissioned research.
• Research projects, including policy development projects.
• Monitoring trends in occupational health.
• Identification and quantification of occupational health problems.
• Collaborative field surveys.
• Teaching of Occupational Epidemiology.
• Consulting on research in disease and hazards in the workplace.
• Advisory services to support occupational health practice.
• Research in occupational health indicators.
• Using open software in database development and descriptive analysis of data.
• Dissemination of research findings and other occupational health information.

• Development of occupational health indicators for South Africa.
• Publication of occupational health indicators reports.
• Identification of Research Questions in Occupational Health in South Africa.
• Research into reproductive health effects of occupational exposures using time-to-pregnancy tool (the first African studies to do so).
• Study on long-term asbestos exposure and disease in Prieska.
• Quantification and determination of prevalence of TB in healthcare workers.
• Fatalities in the construction industry.
• Health hazard evaluations in various industries.
• Occurrence and causes of occupational respiratory diseases.
• Occupational health among women workers.
• Development of method of attribution of lung cancer to asbestos exposure in autopsied miners, using pathologic and microscopic evidence, for compensation purposes.
• Occupational health service provision in industry.
• Collaborative projects:
  • Global elimination of silicosis programme – Identification of main silica exposed industries and occupations in SA.
  • Workplace programmes supporting healthcare workers affected and infected by HIV/AIDS.
  • Determination of reference values of trace elements in a Witwatersrand (Gauteng, SA) workforce.