[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 179 (Monday, September 18, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 43546-43547]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-19744]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
[30Day-17-0260]
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. CDC previously published a
``Proposed Data Collection Submitted for Public Comment and
Recommendations'' notice on May 31, 2017 to obtain comments from the
public and affected agencies. CDC did not receive comments related to
the previous notice. The purpose of this notice is to allow an
additional 30 days for public comments.
Written comments and suggestions from the public and affected
agencies concerning the proposed collection of information are
encouraged. The Office of Management and Budget is particularly
interested in comments that:
(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]. Direct written comments
and/or suggestions regarding the items contained in this notice to the
Attention: CDC Desk Officer, Office of Management and Budget, 725 17th
Street NW., Washington, DC 20503 or by fax to (202) 395-5806. Provide
written comments within 30 days of notice publication.
Proposed Project
Health Hazard Evaluation and Technical Assistance--Requests and
Emerging Problems (OMB Control No. 0920-0260, Expiration Date 11/30/
2017)--Revision--National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
(NIOSH), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Background and Brief Description
The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 and the Federal Mine
Safety and Health Act of 1977, mandates the National Institute for
Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) respond to requests for health
hazard evaluations (HHE) to identify chemical, biological or physical
hazards in workplaces throughout the United States. Each year, NIOSH
receives approximately 290 such requests. Most HHE requests come from
the following types of companies: Service, manufacturing, health and
social services, transportation, construction, agriculture, mining,
skilled trade and construction.
A printed HHE request form is available in English and in Spanish.
The form is also available on the Internet and differs from the printed
version only in format and in the fact that it can be submitted
directly from the Web site. The request form takes an estimated 12
minutes to complete. The form provides the mechanism for employees,
employers, and other authorized representatives to supply the
information required by the regulations governing the NIOSH HHE program
(42 CFR 85.3-1). The information provided is used by NIOSH to determine
whether there is reasonable cause to justify conducting an
investigation and provides a mechanism to respond to the requestor.
NIOSH reviews the HHE request to determine if an on-site evaluation
is needed. The primary purpose of an on-site evaluation is to help
employers and employees identify and eliminate occupational health
hazards. For 40% of the requests received NIOSH determines an on-site
evaluation is needed.
In about 70% of on-site evaluations, employees are interviewed to
help further define concerns. Interviews may take approximately 15
minutes per respondent. The interview questions are specific to each
workplace and its suspected diseases and hazards.
In approximately 30% of on-site evaluations (presently estimated to
be 37 facilities), questionnaires are distributed to the employees
(averaging about 100 employees per site). Questionnaires may require
approximately 30 minutes to complete. The survey questions are specific
to each workplace and its suspected diseases and hazards, however,
items in the questionnaires are derived from standardized or widely
used medical and epidemiologic data collection instruments.
NIOSH administers a follow-back program to assess the effectiveness
of its HHE program in reducing workplace hazards. The first follow-back
questionnaire is sent shortly after the first visit for an on-site
evaluation and takes about 10 minutes to complete. A second follow-back
questionnaire is sent a month after the final report and requires about
20 minutes to complete. At 24 months, a third follow-back questionnaire
is sent which takes about 15 minutes to complete. The first and third
follow-back questionnaires have had minor re-wording of questions to
improve the ease of responding with no change in information requested
or estimated time to complete. The second follow-back questionnaire has
added new questions regarding final report content and format. This
accounts for the additional 5 minute increase in estimated completion
time from the 2014 revision of the second follow-back questionnaire.
For requests where NIOSH does not conduct an on-site evaluation,
the requestor receives the first follow-back questionnaire 1 month
after our report and a second one 12 months after our response. The
first questionnaire takes about 10 minutes to complete and the second
questionnaire takes about 15 minutes to complete. No changes other that
for some minor re-wording of questions have been made. No additional
information is collected and the time estimates for completion remain
unchanged.
Minimal changes have been made to the request form for Health
Hazard Evaluations. The revisions made in this package are minor re-
wording of questions contained in four of the five follow-back
questionnaires to improve the ease of responding by the questionnaire
recipients.
There is no cost to respondents other than their time. The total
estimated annual burden hours are 2,959. This is 61 hours less than the
3,020 hours
[[Page 43547]]
approved for the 2014 revision. This reflects both a slight decrease in
the anticipated number of Health Hazard Evaluation requests (300 to
290) as well as changes in the response requirements of requests
received based upon recent program experience.
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Number of Average burden
Type of respondent Form Number of responses per per response
respondents respondent (in hours)
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Employees/employee representatives/or Health Hazard Evaluation 290 1 12/60
employers. Request Form.
Employees............................. Health Hazard Evaluation 2,580 1 15/60
specific interview
example.
Employees............................. Health Hazard Evaluation 3,700 1 30/60
specific question naire
example.
Employees............................. Employee Contact 2,150 1 5/60
Postcard.
Follow-back for onsite evaluations-- Initial Site Visit 244 1 10/60
employer & employee representative Followback Survey form.
Year 1.
Employer & employee representative Closeout for Health 244 1 20/60
Year 1. Hazard Evaluation
Followback Survey with
site visit.
Employer & employee representative 1 Year Later for Health 244 1 15/60
Year 2. Hazard Evaluation
Followback Survey with
site visit.
Follow-back for evaluations without Closeout for Health 98 1 10/60
onsite--employer & employee Hazard Evaluation
representative Year 1. without site visit.
Employer & employee representative 1 Year Later for Health 98 1 15/60
Year 2. Hazard Evaluation
without site visit.
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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. 2017-19744 Filed 9-15-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P