Objective To analyze the incidence and occurrence regularities of occupational diseases in Zibo City, in order to provide local government with the orientation for prevention and treatment of occupational diseases.

Methods This study applied the descriptive method to analyze the occupational disease cases reported from 2008 to 2017 in Zibo City.

Results There were 2 201 occupational disease cases reported in Zibo City, involved in 40 types in 7 classes of legal occupational diseases. The top 3 cases were occupational pneumoconiosis, occupational otorhinolaryngologic and nonnasality diseases, and occupational chemical poisoning, and the number of these cases were 1 846 (83.9%), 199 (9.04%) and 117 (5.3%), respectively. The numbers of occupational cases in coal mining and washing, refractory ceramics and materials manufacturing, and non-metallic mining and products were the top three. Most cases (1 048) were employed in the state-owned economic enterprises, accounting for 47.6%, and 733 cases were employed in the individual economy enterprise, accounting for 33.3%. Most cases (699) were employed in the large-sized enterprise, accounting for 31.8%, and 513 cases were employed in the medium-sized economy enterprise, accounting for 23.3%.

Conclusion In general, the reported cases of occupational diseases from 2008 to 2017 in Zibo City was rising. The prevention and treatment of occupational diseases is still a tough work. The government should make a scientific plan and strengthen supervision to protect the health of the workers.