[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 98 (Wednesday, May 21, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 29195-29196]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-11782]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

[30Day-14-14GW]


Agency Forms Undergoing Paperwork Reduction Act Review

    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has submitted 
the following information collection request to the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval in accordance with 
the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The notice for the proposed 
information collection is published to obtain comments from the public 
and affected agencies.
    Written comments and suggestions from the public and affected 
agencies concerning the proposed collection of information are 
encouraged. Your comments should address any of the following: (a) 
Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is necessary 
for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including 
whether the information will have practical utility; (b) Evaluate the 
accuracy of the agencies estimate of the burden of the proposed 
collection of information, including the validity of the methodology 
and assumptions used; (c) Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of 
the information to be collected; (d) Minimize the burden of the 
collection of information on those who are to respond, including 
through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or 
other technological collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology, e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses; and 
(e) Assess information collection costs.
    To request additional information on the proposed project or to 
obtain a copy of the information collection plan and instruments, call 
(404) 639-7570 or send an email to [email protected]. Written comments and/or 
suggestions regarding the items contained in this notice should be 
directed to the Attention: CDC Desk Officer, Office of Management and 
Budget, Washington, DC 20503 or by fax to (202) 395-5806. Written 
comments should be received within 30 days of this notice.

Proposed Project

    Total Worker Health for Small Business--New--National Institute for 
Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention (CDC).

Background and Brief Description

    The mission of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and 
Health (NIOSH) is to promote safety and health at work for all people 
through research and prevention. In this capacity, NIOSH will 
administer in-depth interviews designed to assess perceptions and 
opinions among small business owners in the Cincinnati/Northern 
Kentucky area regarding the Total Worker Health concept. This 
information will guide the development of a model for diffusion of the 
Total Worker Health approach among small businesses by community 
organizations. Total Worker Health for Small Business is a four-year 
field study whose overall goal is to identify the perceived costs and 
benefits of offering integrated occupational safety and health (OSH) 
and workplace wellness services to employees among small businesses 
(SBs), and to inform methods that will successfully diffuse the use of 
a Total Worker Health approach among small businesses and the community 
organizations that serve them. The data gathered in this study 
regarding small businesses' specific training needs, motivational 
factors, and preferred information sources will be of significant 
practical value when designing and implementing future interventions.
    The proposed in-depth interviews described here for which Office of 
Management and Budget review and approval is being requested are a 
critical step toward the development of this TWH diffusion model. Phase 
1 of this project included interview development and revision. The 
primary goal of Phase 2 of this project is to gather key-informant 
perceptions and opinions among the target audience, small business 
owners in the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky area. Data gathered from in-
depth interviews will guide the development of efforts to diffuse the 
Total Worker Health approach among small businesses and the community 
organizations which serve them.
    About 90% of U.S. employer organizations have fewer than 20 
employees, and 62% have less than five. Eighteen percent of all U.S. 
employees work for businesses that have less than 20 employees. In 
addition, more than 21 million U.S. businesses have zero employees, 
meaning that, although they are not counted as employees, the owner is 
also the worker. Workers in smaller organizations endure a 
disproportionate share of the burden of occupational injuries, 
illnesses, and fatalities.
    There is no data available on the prevalence of TWH programs in 
smaller organizations. What is known about smaller organizations is 
divided into information about health protection and health promotion 
activities. Smaller organizations engage in fewer safety activities 
than larger organizations. The need for reaching this population with 
effective, affordable, and culturally appropriate training has been 
documented in publications and is increasingly becoming an 
institutional priority at NIOSH. Given the numerous obstacles which 
small business owners face in effectively managing occupational safety 
and health (e.g., financial and time constraints), there is a need for 
identifying the most crucial components of occupational safety and 
health and health promotion training.
    This interview will be administered to a sample of approximately 60 
owners of small businesses with 5-49 employees from the Cincinnati/
Northern Kentucky area. Each participant will be administered the 
survey two times, approximately one year apart to assess for changes in 
perceptions regarding health protection and health promotion 
activities. The sample size is based on recommendations related to 
qualitative interview methods and the research team's prior experience.
    Participants for this data collection will be recruited with the 
assistance of contractors who have successfully performed similar tasks 
for NIOSH in the past. Participants will be receive $50 as a token of 
appreciation for their time. The interview questionnaire will be 
administered verbally to participants in English.
    Once this study is complete, results will be made available via 
various means including print publications and the agency internet 
site. The information gathered by this project could be used by OSHA, 
state health department, occupational health providers to determine 
guidelines for the development of appropriate training materials for 
small businesses. The results of this project will benefit small 
business workers by developing recommendations for increasing the 
effectiveness of occupational safety and health outreach methods 
specifically targeted to small businesses. Although beyond the scope of 
this study, it is expected that improved use of TWH programs will lower 
rates of injuries and fatalities for workers. The total burden hours 
are 180.

[[Page 29196]]

    There is no cost to respondents other than their time.

                                        Estimated Annualized Burden Hours
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                   Number of      Average burden
         Type of respondents                 Form name            Number of      responses per     per response
                                                                 respondents       respondent       (in hours)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Small Business Owners...............  Interview Probes.......              60                2              1.5
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


LeRoy Richardson,
Chief, Information Collection Review Office, Office of Scientific 
Integrity, Office of the Associate Director for Science, Office of the 
Director, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
[FR Doc. 2014-11782 Filed 5-20-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P