[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 105 (Tuesday, June 2, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 31382-31383]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-13383]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
[30Day-15-15LB]
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
Enhancing Dialogue and Execution of Dust Reduction Behaviors
through Workgroup Communication--New--National Institute for
Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC).
Background and Brief Description
NIOSH, under Public Law 91-596, Sections 20 and 22 (Section 20-22,
Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1977) has the responsibility to
conduct research relating to innovative methods, techniques, and
approaches dealing with occupational safety and health problems.
This project focuses on mineworkers' overexposure to respirable
coal dust and how using the Continuous Personal Dust Monitor (CPDM), as
an educational tool, can help provide information to mineworkers and
their respective workgroups and shift leaders (i.e., frontline
supervisors, shift foremen, etc), about ways to reduce respirable coal
dust exposure in their work environment. NIOSH proposes a three-year
approval for a project that seeks to understand what group
communication practices are important for mineworker H&S and how those
practices can be developed, implemented, and maintained over time. The
following questions guide this study: What impact does a communication/
technology intervention model that was designed and implemented have
on: (1) Workers' health/safety behaviors, including those that lower
exposure to dust; (2) workers' perceptions of their organizations'
health and safety values; and (3) the types of health and safety
management practices identified and utilized by mine site leaders to
support workers' health/safety behaviors?
To answer the above questions, NIOSH researchers developed an
intervention that focuses on workers' communication about and
subsequent actions taken to reduce respirable dust exposure over time,
using information provided by their Continuous Personal Dust Monitor
(CPDM). The intervention will inform how workgroups communicate with
each other and their shift supervisor about health and how this
communication impacts individual behavior such as corrective dust
actions taken by workers.
A new rule (CFR part 70) that passed May 1, 2014, requires mine
operators to use CPDMs by February 1, 2016, for designated occupations.
Continuous Personal Dust Monitors are wearable devices that provide
miners with near real-time feedback about their level of respirable
coal dust exposure. However, they do not ensure that miners will use
the information to reduce their level of exposure. With the stricter
regulations that just passed the opportunity to proactively improve
communication around the CPDM and identify appropriate corrective
actions, as required by the Mine Health and Safety Administration, is
favorable.
In response, an intervention was designed to involve workers in the
interpretation of CPDM feedback and discuss, with their coworkers/
workgroups and respective shift leaders, potential changes to work
practices that can decrease exposure to respirable coal mine dust. Data
is collected no more than three times throughout a six-week study
period (i.e., pre, mid, and post assessments). Data collection includes
a pre/post survey and focus groups with workers and site leaders. These
focus groups function as ``safety circles.'' Safety circles are used to
communicate and encourage specific behavior changes. A typical circle
includes a facilitator or leader (who directs the meetings), 7-10
members, and one-hour weekly meetings that take place during the
workday.
NIOSH proposes this intervention design at no less than three but
no more than five coal mine sites. Coal mine sites will be recruited
who have inquired interest in learning how to improve utility of the
CPDM on their site and/or interest in improving their employees'
communication efforts. Only a small sample of workers will participate
at each mine site because of the time required for completion and to
ensure the longitudinal data can be adequately collected over the six
weeks. In other words, we would rather collect data multiple times with
the same worker and have fewer participants than collect data from more
workers but not have the ability to appropriately follow-up during the
subsequent visits.
Data collection will take place over three years. The respondents
targeted for this study include any active mine worker and any active
site leader at a coal mine site. It is estimated that a sample of up to
150 mine workers will participate, which includes
[[Page 31383]]
participating in three focus groups (in the form of safety circle
workgroup meetings) that will take approximately 60 minutes. The 60
minutes includes a 30 minute discussion and the completion of a focus
group worksheet and at one point, a dust control worksheet. The focus
groups will debrief general CPDM data so participants can dialogue
about ways to lower their exposure levels. In addition, workers will be
asked to complete a pre and post survey (~15 minutes). It also is
estimated that a sample of up to nine mine site leaders will
participate in the form of interviews/focus groups about HSMS practices
at the same mining operations which have agreed to participate, and
complete a dust assessment form. The interviews/focus groups also will
occur two to three times during each of the NIOSH field visits and will
take no more than 45 minutes each. All participants will be between the
ages of 18 and 75, currently employed, and living in the United States.
Participation will require no more than 3 hours of workers' time over
the six-week intervention and no more than 2.5 hours of site leaders'
time over the six-week intervention period.
There is no cost to respondents other than their time. The total
burden in time is an estimated 64 burden hours.
Estimated Annualized Burden Hours
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Average
Number of Number burden per
Type of respondent Form name respondents responses per response (in
respondent hours)
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Mine & Health Safety Managers/ Mine Recruitment and 3 1 5/60
Leaders. Participation Script.
Worksite Leadership 3 3 45/60
Interview/Focus Group
Guide.
Controls to Reduce 3 1 15/60
Respirable Dust Exposure
Assessment Worksheet for
Workers and Management.
Individual Mine Workers............ Mine Worker Recruitment 50 1 5/60
Script.
Pre/Post Mine Worker Survey 50 2 15/60
Mine Worker CPDM Focus 50 3 30/60
Group Guide.
Controls to Reduce 50 1 15/60
Respirable Dust Exposure
Assessment Worksheet for
Workers and Management.
Mine Worker Focus Group 50 3 15/60
Worksheet.
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Leroy A. 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. 2015-13383 Filed 6-1-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P