[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 28 (Wednesday, February 11, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 6941-6945]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-3406]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
[Announcement 98015]
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health; Fatality
Surveillance and Field Investigations at the State Level Using the
NIOSH Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation Model; Notice of
Availability of Funds for Fiscal Year 1998
Introduction
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announces the
availability of fiscal year (FY) 1998 funds for cooperative agreements
to build State capacity for conducting traumatic occupational fatality
surveillance, investigation, and intervention activities through the
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Fatality
Assessment and Control Evaluation (FACE) Model.
CDC is committed to achieving the health promotion and disease
prevention objectives of Healthy People 2000, a national activity to
reduce morbidity and mortality and improve the quality of life. This
announcement is related to the priority areas of Occupational Safety
and Health, and Surveillance and Data Systems. (To order a copy of
Healthy People 2000, see the section WHERE TO OBTAIN ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION.)
Authority
This program is authorized under the Public Health Service Act, as
amended, Section 301(a) [42 U.S.C. 241(a)]; the Occupational Safety and
Health Act of 1970, Section 20(a) [29 U.S.C. 669(a)]. The applicable
program regulation is 42 CFR Part 52.
Smoke-Free Workplace
CDC strongly encourages all grant recipients to provide a smoke-
free workplace and to promote the nonuse of all tobacco products, and
Public Law 103-227, the Pro-Children Act of 1994, prohibits smoking in
certain facilities that receive Federal funds in which education,
library, day care, health care, and early childhood development
services are provided to children.
Eligible Applicants
Eligible applicants are State Departments of Health, Departments of
Labor, and Departments of Industry located within any State or
territory of the United States. Program activities, however, may not be
carried out by departmental divisions that are responsible for
enforcement of occupational safety and health standards. Awards will be
limited to those organizations that can exercise public health
authority for intervention into occupational safety and health
problems.
Only one application per State will be accepted under this
announcement.
Note: An organization described in section 501(c)(4) of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 which engages in lobbying activities
shall not be eligible to receive Federal funds constituting an
award, a grant, contract, loan, or any other form.
Availability of Funds
Approximately $190,000 will be available in FY 1998 to fund two or
three awards. It is expected that the awards will range from $60,000 to
$100,000. Individual awards may vary by State, and will be based upon
the scope and nature of traumatic occupational fatalities documented by
the respondent, and upon proposed personnel, administrative, and
associated costs. The awards will be made on or about July 1, 1998,
with 12-month budget periods within project periods of up to 5 years.
Funding estimates may vary and are subject to change.
Continuation awards within the project period will be determined on
the basis of satisfactory progress and the availability of funds.
Use of Funds
Restrictions on Lobbying
Applicants should be aware of restrictions on the use of HHS funds
for lobbying of Federal or State legislative bodies. Under the
provisions of 31 U.S.C. Section 1352 (which has been in effect since
December 23, 1989), recipients (and their subtier contractors) are
prohibited from using appropriated Federal funds (other than profits
from a Federal contract) for lobbying Congress or any Federal agency in
connection with the award of a particular contract, grant, cooperative
agreement, or loan. This includes grants/cooperative agreements that,
in whole or in part, involve conferences for which federal
[[Page 6942]]
funds cannot be used directly or indirectly to encourage participants
to lobby or to instruct participants on how to lobby.
In addition, the current HHS Appropriations Act expressly prohibits
the use of appropriated funds for indirect or ``grass roots'' lobbying
efforts that are designed to support or defeat legislation pending
before state legislatures. Section 503 of the law provides as follows:
Sec. 503(a) No part of any appropriation contained in this Act
shall be used, other than for normal and recognized executive-
legislative relationships, for publicity or propaganda purposes, for
the preparation, distribution, or use of any kit, pamphlet, booklet,
publication, radio, television, or video presentation designed to
support or defeat legislation pending before the Congress, or any State
legislature, except in presentation to the Congress or any State
legislative body itself.
(b) No part of any appropriation contained in this Act shall be
used to pay the salary or expenses of any grant or contract recipient,
or agent acting for such recipient, related to any activity designed to
influence legislation or appropriations pending before the Congress or
any State legislature.
Department of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and
Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1997, as enacted by the Omnibus
Consolidated Appropriations Act, 1997, Division A, Title I, Section
101(e), Public Law No. 104-208 (September 30, 1996).
Background
Traumatic occupational fatalities represent a public health problem
of significant proportion. Based on data from the National Traumatic
Occupational Fatalities (NTOF) surveillance system, nearly 6500 workers
die each year in the U.S. from traumatic injuries sustained in the
workplace. The four highest risk industries for fatal injury are:
mining, construction, transportation/communication/public utilities,
and agriculture/ forestry/fishing. Each of these industrial sectors has
a traumatic fatality rate that is at least twice the overall civilian
workforce rate of 7.0 deaths per 100,000 workers. The leading causes of
death for all industries are motor vehicles, machinery, homicide,
falls, and electrocutions. These categories account for nearly 60
percent of the occupational fatalities each year. In order to
adequately develop and implement intervention strategies aimed at
reducing fatal injuries in the workplace, more specific data pertaining
to the interaction of the worker, the work environment, and work
processes are needed.
Purpose
The purpose of funding these cooperative agreements is to expand
the State-based FACE project and significantly strengthen the
occupational public health infrastructure. This will be accomplished by
integrating resources for occupational safety and health research and
public health prevention programs at the State and local levels. The
ultimate goal of the project is to reduce traumatic occupational
fatalities within the States.
Over the past eight years, State-level personnel have shown that
the NIOSH FACE model for investigation of occupational fatalities can
be successfully implemented in the States. The most immediate products
of the State-level FACE programs have been accurate and timely
surveillance systems for detecting traumatic occupational fatalities
occurring within the State, fatality investigations identifying causal
factors, and recommendations for prevention strategies. This program
will permit awardees to efficiently integrate resources for prevention
of occupational fatalities at the State and local level. Additionally,
States will be encouraged to target occupational traumatic injury
research and prevention programs based on specific State priority
areas. FACE data will be shared with all award recipients. The specific
objectives for this cooperative agreement are as follows:
A. Develop a timely, comprehensive, multiple-source State-level
surveillance system for identifying and recording basic epidemiologic
data on all traumatic occupational fatalities occurring within the
State.
B. Conduct on-site investigations of specific traumatic
occupational fatalities using the NIOSH FACE investigative model.
C. Through case investigations, identify factors common to selected
types of traumatic occupational fatalities leading to development and
prioritization of prevention strategies.
D. Develop and disseminate prevention recommendations to reduce the
risk of fatal occupational injuries within the State.
E. Develop and implement prevention strategies and projects for
reducing State incidence of traumatic occupational injuries and
fatalities.
Program Requirements
In conducting activities to achieve the purpose of this program,
the recipient will be responsible for the activities under A.
(Recipient Activities), and CDC/NIOSH will be responsible for the
activities under B. (CDC/NIOSH Activities).
A. Recipient Activities
1. Develop a comprehensive multiple-source, State-level
surveillance system for prompt identification and reporting of
epidemiologic data on all traumatic occupational fatalities occurring
in the State.
2. Conduct in-depth site investigations of targeted occupational
fatalities as determined by NIOSH. Currently, falls from elevations and
machinery-related incidents are targeted fatality types. These are
among the leading causes of work-place fatalities, as identified by
national surveillance systems; however, they may change over the term
of the agreement. Greatest emphasis must be placed on the determined
targets; however, States may choose, in cooperation with NIOSH, to
conduct in-depth investigations of other fatality types identified.
3. In specified format, develop and submit to NIOSH a narrative
report of each in-depth fatality investigation which describes the
fatal incident and includes recommendations for preventing future
similar occurrences.
4. Submit first reports of fatalities, investigative narrative
reports, and supplementary investigative data electronically to NIOSH
through CDC's WONDER/PC system.
5. Evaluate surveillance data and investigative findings to
identify specific worker populations to which prevention programs
should be addressed.1
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ A Framework for Assessing the Effectiveness of Disease and
Injury Prevention. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR),
March 27, 1992/Vol.41/Jn. The MMWR can be accessed through World-
Wide Web (http://www.cdc.gov/epo/mmwr/mmwr.html).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
6. Identify entities such as employers, unions, and trade
associations that can effect change in the workplace.
7. Communicate recommended preventions to those who can effect
change in the workplace and to those at risk through targeted
dissemination.
8. Prepare and submit periodic status reports of activities in
designated format and an annual report that summarizes the activities
and progress made by the State toward meeting the objectives for the
State FACE program.
9. Participate in annual NIOSH-conducted FACE project workshop/
[[Page 6943]]
conference in Morgantown, West Virginia, or other selected site.
B. CDC/NIOSH Activities
1. Provide formats for data reporting forms, coding formats,
computer software, and State personnel training for electronic
transmission of FACE surveillance and investigative data to the NIOSH
data base.
2. Provide assistance to awardee staff in establishing traumatic
occupational fatality notification networks.
3. Provide initial training in procedures and subsequent technical
assistance for conducting on-site fatality investigations using the
FACE investigative methodology (including the use of FACE investigative
data collection instruments).
4. Provide assistance in identifying sentinel events resulting from
industrial applications of new and emerging technologies.
5. Provide technical assistance in the dissemination of summary
reports and other published findings to State and local health and
labor officials, voluntary health groups, workers, unions, employers
and professional organizations.
6. Provide technical assistance in identifying and evaluating
effective intervention strategies.
7. CDC will provide funds to purchase one IBM-compatible, Pentium-
based personal computer, printer, telecommunications equipment, and
needed software for use on appropriate activities related to this
cooperative agreement, if necessary.
Technical Reporting Requirements
An original and two copies of an ANNUAL progress report are due no
later that 30 days after the end of each budget period. A Financial
Status Report (FSR) is required no later than 90 days after the end of
each budget period. FINAL progress report and FSR are due no later than
90 days after the end of the project period (October 31, 2003). Monthly
electronically transmitted CDC WONDER/PC FACE status reports are due to
NIOSH no later than the 10th of the following month. All other reports
are submitted to the Grants Management Branch, CDC.
Annual progress report should include:
A. A brief program description.
B. A listing of program goals and objectives accompanied by a
comparison of the actual accomplishments related to the goals and
objectives established for the period.
C. If established goals and objectives to be accomplished were
delayed, describe both the reason for the deviation and anticipated
corrective action or deletion of the activity from the project.
Application
A. Preapplication Letter of Intent
Although not a prerequisite of application, a non-binding letter-
of-intent to apply is requested from potential applicants. The letter
should be submitted to the Grants Management Branch, CDC. (See
``Application Submission and Deadline'' section for the address.) It
should be postmarked no later than February 25, 1998. The letter should
identify the announcement number, name of principal investigator, and
specify the priority area to be addressed by the proposed project. The
letter-of-intent does not influence review or funding decisions, but it
will enable CDC to plan the review more efficiently and will ensure
that each applicant receives timely and relevant information prior to
application submission.
B. Application Content
The entire application, including appendices, should not exceed 40
pages and the Proposal Narrative section contained therein should not
exceed 25 double-spaced pages. Pages should be clearly numbered and a
complete index to the application and any appendices included. The
original and each copy of the application must be submitted unstapled
and unbound. All materials must be typewritten, double-spaced, with
unreduced type (font size 12 point) on 8\1/2\'' by 11'' paper, with at
least 1'' margins, headers, and footers, and printed on one side only.
Do not include any spiral or bound materials or pamphlets. All
graphics, maps, overlaps, etc. should be in black and white and meet
the above criteria.
C. Title Page
The heading should include the title of grant program, project
title, organization, name and address, project director's name address
and telephone number.
D. Abstract
A one-page, singled-spaced, typed abstract must be submitted with
the application. The heading should include the title of grant program,
project title, organization, name and address, project director and
telephone number. This abstract should be included in the APPLICATION
CONTENT section of the application, under INTRODUCTION. This abstract
is not in lieu of (but in addition to) the INTRODUCTION section.
E. Narrative
The narrative of the application should:
1. Document the applicant's understanding of the objectives of the
project and the proposed agreement and the goals over the 5-year period
of the agreement.
2. Describe the scope and nature of occupational fatalities in the
applicant's State.
3. Describe the applicant's ability to provide qualified and
appropriate staff and other resources necessary to implement the
project. This may be supported by documentation of the applicant's
experience in conducting similar research efforts, including
surveillance activities.
4. Describe an implementation plan and provide a proposed schedule
for accomplishing each of the activities to be carried out in this
project including the implementation of the surveillance, field
investigations, dissemination and prevention components, and a method
for evaluating the accomplishments.
5. Provide the names, qualifications, and time allocations of: the
principal investigator; professional staff to be assigned to this
project; the support staff available for performance of this project;
and the facilities, space, and equipment available for performance of
this project.
6. Provide a detailed description of the proposed first-year
activities, as well as a brief description of future year activities.
7. Provide letters of support or other documentation demonstrating
collaboration of the applicant's ability to work with diverse groups,
establish linkages, and facilitate awareness information.
F. Budget
Completed budget forms should be placed at the beginning of the
application. The applicant should provide a detailed budget, with
accompanying justification of all operating expenses, that is
consistent with the stated objectives and planned activities of the
project. CDC may not approve or fund all proposed activities.
Applicants should be precise about the program purpose of each budget
item, providing anticipated costs for personnel, travel (including
travel expenses for annual NIOSH-conducted FACE project workshop/
conference in Morgantown, West Virginia, or other selected site),
communications, postage, equipment (see Item 7 under CDC/NIOSH
Activities), supplies, etc., and all sources of funds to meet those
needs.
For contracts described within the application budget, if known,
applicants
[[Page 6944]]
should name the contractor; describe the service(s) to be performed;
provide an itemized breakdown and justification for the estimated costs
of the contract; the kinds of organizations or parties to be selected;
the period of performance; and the method of selection. Budget
narrative pages showing, in detail, how funds in each object class will
be spent should be placed directly behind form 424A. Do not put these
pages in the body of the application.
Evaluation Criteria
Evaluation of the applications will be based on the following
criteria:
A. Goals and Objectives
Ability to communicate the scope and nature of traumatic
occupational fatalities in the State as evidenced by the quality of the
narrative and documented research and experience. (15%)
B. The qualifications and time commitment of proposed project staff
(principal investigator, field investigator (if already identified),
administrative and technical support staff). (25%-Total)
1. The existence of or potential for acquiring expertise in
investigation of occupational fatalities. There should be a full-time
field investigator dedicated to the project. (15%)
2. The existence of or potential for acquiring safety expertise
relevant to formulation of injury prevention strategies. (10%)
C. Applicant's collaborative relationships with various relevant
State or territorial agencies or organizations in addressing the
problem of traumatic occupational fatality surveillance, investigation,
and intervention. (30%-Total)
1. The existence of or potential for establishment of a multiple-
source network for identification and reporting of traumatic
occupational fatalities. (15%)
2. The existence of or potential for establishment of relationships
with public safety departments, safety compliance agencies, and other
entities that can provide background and supplementary data relating to
specific fatality cases. (15%)
D. Demonstrated ability to communicate recommended preventions to
those at risk through targeted dissemination. (25%)
E. Additional personnel/facilities/equipment already in place that
can contribute to successful implementation of the project. (5%)
F. Budget Justification (Not Scored)
The budget will be evaluated to the extent that it is reasonable,
clearly justified, and consistent with the intended use of funds.
Executive Order 12372 Review
Applications are subject to the Intergovernmental Review of Federal
Programs as governed by Executive Order (E.O.) 12372. E.O. 12372 sets
up a system for State and local government review of proposed Federal
assistance applications. Applicants should contact their State Single
Point of Contact (SPOC) as early as possible to alert them to the
prospective applications and receive any necessary instructions on the
State process. For proposed projects serving more than one State, the
applicant is advised to contact the SPOC for each affected State. A
current list of SPOCs is included in the application kit.
If SPOCs have any State process recommendations on applications
submitted to CDC, they should forward them to Ron Van Duyne, Grants
Management Officer, Grants Management Branch, Procurement and Grants
Office, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Room 300, 255
East Paces Ferry Road, NE., Atlanta, GA 30305, ATTN: Victoria Sepe no
later than 60 days after the application deadline date. The program
announcement number 98015 and program title FACE should be referenced
on the document. The granting agency does not guarantee to
``accommodate or explain'' State recommendations it receives after that
date.
Public Health System Reporting Requirements
This program is not subject to the Public Health System Reporting
Requirements.
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number
The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance for this program is
93.283.
Other Requirements
Paperwork Reduction Act
Projects funded through a cooperative agreement that involve
collection of information from ten or more individuals will be subject
to review and approval by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB)
under the Paperwork Reduction Act.
Application Submission and Deadline
The original and two copies of the application PHS Form 5161-1 (OMB
Number 0937-0189) must be submitted to Victoria Sepe, Grants Management
Specialist, Grants Management Branch, Procurement and Grants Office,
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Mailstop E-13, 255
East Paces Ferry Road, NE., Room 300, Atlanta, GA 30305, on or before
March 31, 1998.
Deadline: Applications will be considered as meeting the deadline
if they are either:
A. Received on or before the deadline date, or
B. Sent on or before the deadline date and received in time for
submission to the objective review group. (The applicants must request
a legibly dated U.S. Postal Service postmark or obtain a legibly dated
receipt from a commercial carrier or the U.S. Postal Service. Private
metered postmarks will not be acceptable as proof of timely mailing.)
Late Applications: Applications that do not meet the criteria in A.
or B. above are considered late applications. Late applications will
not be considered and will be returned to the applicants.
Where to Obtain Additional Information
Application Packet
To receive additional written information call 1-888-GRANTS4. You
will be asked to leave your name, address, and phone number and will
need to refer to NIOSH Announcement 98015. You will receive a complete
program description, information on application procedures, and
application forms. CDC will not send application kits by facsimile or
express mail. PLEASE REFER TO NIOSH ANNOUNCEMENT NUMBER 98015 WHEN
REQUESTING INFORMATION AND SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION.
Internet
This and other CDC announcements are available through the CDC
homepage on the Internet. The address for the CDC homepage is: http://
www.cdc.gov. For your convenience, you may be able to retrieve a copy
of the PHS Form 5161-1 (OMB Number 0937-0189) from http://
mercury.psc.dhhs.gov.
Business Management Technical Assistance
If you have questions after reviewing the contents of all the
documents, business management technical assistance may be obtained
from Victoria Sepe, Grants Management Specialist, Grants Management
Branch, Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC), Mailstop E-13, Room 321, 255 East Paces Ferry Road,
NE., Atlanta, GA 30305, telephone (404) 842-6804, Internet:
[email protected].
Programmatic Technical Assistance
If you have programmatic technical assistance questions you may
obtain
[[Page 6945]]
information from Paul H. Moore, State FACE Project Officer, telephone
(304) 285-6016, Internet: [email protected]; Stephanie G. Pratt, State FACE
Technical Officer, telephone (304) 285-5992, Internet: [email protected],
Trauma Investigations Section, Surveillance and Field Investigations
Branch, Division of Safety Research, National Institute for
Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC), 1095 Willowdale Road, Mailstop 180P, Morgantown, WV
26505-2888, or Nancy A. Stout, Ed.D., Director, telephone (304) 285-
5894, Division of Safety Research, National Institute for Occupational
Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC),
1095 Willowdale Road, Mailstop 1172, Morgantown, WV 26505-2888.
Potential applicants may obtain a copy of Healthy People 2000 (Full
Report, Stock Number 017-001-00474-0) or Healthy People 2000 (Summary
Report, Stock Number 017-001-00473-1) referenced in the INTRODUCTION
through the Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office,
Washington, DC 20402-9325, telephone (202) 512-1800.
Dated: January 5, 1998.
Diane Porter,
Acting Director, National Institute For Occupational Safety and Health
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
[FR Doc. 98-3406 Filed 2-10-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-19-P