Authors submitting to a special issue should review the thematic scope and follow IJOE submission standards. Special issues follow the same peer review and production workflow as regular submissions.

• Confirm scope fit with the special issue theme
• Prepare data and code availability statements
• Document exposure assessment and case definitions
• Ensure figures and tables are publication ready
• Prepare a cover letter referencing the special issue

Clearly indicate the special issue title in the cover letter and manuscript metadata. This helps editors route the submission to the correct guest editor team.

All special issue submissions undergo initial screening for scope fit, ethical compliance, and data transparency. Submissions that do not align with the theme may be redirected to the regular journal track.

• Align your abstract with the stated theme
• Highlight policy or workplace implications
• Provide clear exposure or hazard descriptions
• Include data availability details for rapid screening
• Define the occupational or environmental health gap the special issue addresses.
• Provide a rationale for guest editor expertise and topic coverage.
• Specify anticipated article types and approximate submission volume.
• Outline peer review timelines and editorial decision workflows.
• Describe outreach plans to occupational health societies or industry partners.
• Identify data reporting standards required for submissions.
• Clarify whether cross disciplinary submissions are in scope.
• List any planned invited contributions or consortium partners.
• Provide proposed metrics for impact or workplace relevance.
• Describe data harmonization requirements for multicenter submissions.
• Specify expected submission window and targeted publication date.
• Note any regulatory or policy considerations for topic areas.
• Specify how guest editors will manage conflicts of interest.
• Outline plans for an editorial introduction or synthesis article.
• Describe collaboration with regulatory agencies or safety organizations.
• Provide criteria for invited versus open submissions.
• Include data reporting checklists for exposure assessment studies.
• State plans for dissemination to workplace stakeholders.
• Provide anticipated geographic or industry coverage.
• Describe integration with ongoing surveillance programs or registries.
• Define expected peer reviewer pool and recruitment strategy.
• Describe data sharing expectations for special issue contributors.
• Specify interdisciplinary scope across occupational medicine, toxicology, and environmental science.
• Outline plan for worker privacy or ethics oversight in invited studies.
• Provide expected timeline for revisions and final acceptance.
• Define expected contributions from industry, unions, or regulatory partners.

IJOE is committed to rigorous, transparent publishing in occupational and environmental medicine. We emphasize reproducible exposure assessment, clear reporting of workplace and environmental context, and ethical compliance across all article types.

The editorial office supports authors, editors, and reviewers with clear guidance and responsive communication. For questions about scope or workflow, contact [email protected].

We encourage continuous improvement in reporting practices and share updates that help the community maintain high standards in worker health, environmental safety, and preventive medicine.