Objective To analyze the situation of key occupational diseases in Lanzhou, Gansu Province, China, from 2015 to 2017.

Methods The surveillance data of key occupational diseases in Lanzhou from 2015 to 2017 were described and analyzed.

Results During 2015 to 2017, reported cases of key occupational diseases accounted for 89.92% of the total cases of occupational diseases. The number of jobs monitored for hazardous factors for key occupational diseases in 2017 was higher than that in 2015 and 2016. The over-proof rate was decreased for coal dust (coal-silica dust)-related jobs, silica dust-related jobs, and noise-related posts, while it was increased for benzene-related jobs. There were significant differences in the collection rate of case cards between 2015, 2016, and 2017 (P < 0.05). The detection rate of occupational contraindications was higher in 2015 than in 2016 and 2017 (P < 0.05). The detection rate of suspected occupational diseases was lower in 2017 than in 2015 and 2016 (P < 0.05). Significant differences were observed between 2015, 2016, and 2017 in the detection rates of suspected occupational diseases, occupational contraindications, and specific indicators among workers exposed to benzene and noise (P < 0.05), as well as in the detection rates of suspected occupational diseases and specific indicators among workers exposed to coal dust (coal-silica dust) or silica dust (P < 0.05). The collection rates of total length of service and the blood routine indices of workers exposed to benzene were low. Only 37.21% of workers diagnosed with occupational diseases benefited from occupational injury insurance in Lanzhou during 2015 to 2017.

Conclusion There has been improvement in the surveillance of key occupational diseases in Lanzhou from 2015 to 2017, but the scope of surveillance needs to be expanded, and the system of the service needs to be further improved.