[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 110 (Thursday, June 6, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 28872-28875]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-14170]



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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
[Announcement 649]


National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health; Prevention 
of Silicosis in Surface Miners

Introduction

    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announces the 
availability of fiscal year (FY) 1996 funds for a cooperative agreement 
program for prevention of silicosis in surface miners. The 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 area of Occupational Safety and 
Health. (For ordering a copy of Healthy People 2000, see the Section 
Where to Obtain Additional Information.)

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Authority

    This program is authorized under Section 22(e)(7) of the 
Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (29 U.S.C. 671(e)(7)) and 
Section 501(g) of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act (30 U.S.C. 
951(g)).

Smoke-Free Workplace

    The CDC strongly encourages all grant recipients to provide a 
smoke-free workplace and 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

    Applications may be submitted by public and private, non-profit and 
for-profit organizations and governments and their agencies. Thus, 
universities, colleges, research institutions, hospitals, other public 
and private organizations, State and local governments or their bona 
fide agents, federally recognized Indian tribal governments, Indian 
tribes or Indian tribal organizations, and small, minority- and/or 
women-owned businesses are eligible to apply.

    Note: Organizations described in Section 501(c)(4) of the 
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 which engage in lobbying activities 
are not eligible for the receipt of Federal grants or cooperative 
agreements.

Availability of Funds

    Approximately $85,000 is available in FY 1996 to fund one award. It 
is expected that the award will begin on or about September 30, 1996, 
and will be made for a 12-month budget period within a project period 
of up to three years. The funding estimate may vary and is subject to 
change.
    Continuation awards within the project period will be made on the 
basis of satisfactory progress and the availability of funds.

Purpose

    The purpose of this project is to contribute to silicosis 
prevention efforts through:
    1. Identification of high silicosis-risk populations in both the 
metal/nonmetal and coal surface mining communities;
    2. Identification and assessment of effectiveness of interventions 
to limit or prevent silica exposure that have been implemented in the 
mines with high silicosis risk (e.g.worker training programs, changes 
in work practices, modifications of maintenance practices, engineering 
controls, etc.) ; and
    3. Development of recommendations for modifications of existing 
interventions and/or innovative new interventions to prevent silica 
exposure, with a plan for evaluating intervention effectiveness.

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 listed under B. (CDC/NIOSH Activities).

A. Recipient Activities

    1. Conduct a study to identify high silicosis-risk populations of 
metal/nonmetal and surface miners; including small and large employers, 
contractors, unionized and nonunionized operations.
    2. Evaluate current work practices and exposure conditions at 
targeted operations where silicosis risk is high. This evaluation 
should include an assessment of the effectiveness of current training 
efforts, maintenance programs, engineering controls and work practices.
    3. Recommend new or modified training efforts, maintenance 
programs, engineering controls or driller work practices which will 
reduce worker exposures to silica.
    4. Evaluate the effectiveness of new interventions.
    5. Publish results of the study.

B. CDC/NIOSH Activities

    1. Provide scientific, epidemiologic, engineering, environmental, 
and clinical technical assistance (as needed) to the recipient for 
successful completion of this project.
    2. Assist in the development of the overall plan or study design 
for this project.
    3. Collaborate with the recipient on the methods for collection, 
tabulation, analysis, and publication of data related to the project.
    4. In consultation with Mine Safety and Health Administration 
(MSHA) obtain and provide available, relevant information on MSHA 
sampling results, survey data, training videos, etc.
    5. Assist in development of recommendations for interventions.

Evaluation Criteria

    Applications will be reviewed and evaluated according to the 
following criteria:
    1. The qualifications and efficient use of current and proposed 
project personnel, with assurance of a major time commitment of the 
program director to the program. Technical qualifications of importance 
include, but are not limited to, experience in conducting 
investigations of the mining industry, knowledge of the technical 
aspects of drilling, and experience with worker education and training 
(to include evaluations of worker training program effectiveness). 
(35%)
    2. The adequacy of the applicant's facilities and resources for 
purposes of evaluating surface mine driller training. Important 
qualifications include program/facility history of developing and 
implementing worker training programs. (10%)
    3. The adequacy of the project plan or methodology. The proposed 
plan and methods should demonstrate a clear understanding and 
application of the goals and objectives for this program. Novel 
approaches and ideas that contribute to attainment of the program's 
goals and objectives are encouraged. Important components include the 
method of identification of high silicosis-risk surface mine drilling 
operations, identification of case study subjects, the plan for 
assessment of effectiveness of the intervention strategies being used 
and how closely the project's objectives fit the objectives for which 
applications were invited. (40%)
    The degree to which the applicant has met the CDC policy 
requirements regarding the inclusion of women, ethnic, and racial 
groups in the proposed research. This includes:
    a. The proposed plan for the inclusion of both sexes and racial and 
ethnic minority populations for appropriate representation.
    b. The proposed justification when representation is limited or 
absent.
    c. A statement as to whether the design of the study is adequate to 
measure differences when warranted.
    d. A statement as to whether the plans for recruitment and outreach 
for study participants include the process of establishing partnerships 
with community(ies) and recognition of mutual benefits will be 
documented.
    4. Efficient use of resources and uniqueness of program. Evidence 
of collaboration with outside organizations (e.g., labor, universities, 
government agencies) using shared resources towards common goals and 
the demonstrated ability to solicit and receive financial resources 
from outside the organization. (15%)
    5. Human Subjects (Not Scored)
    Whether or not exempt from the Department of Health and Human 
Services (DHHS) regulations, are procedures adequate for protection of 
human subjects? Recommendations on

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the adequacy of protections include: (1) Protections appear adequate, 
and there are no comments to make or concerns to raise, or (2) 
protections appear adequate, but there are comments regarding the 
protocol, or (3) protections appear inadequate and the Objective Review 
Group has concerns related to human subjects; or (4) disapproval of the 
application is recommended because the research risks are sufficiently 
serious and protection against the risks are inadequate as to make the 
entire application unacceptable.
    6. Budget and Justification. (Not Scored)
    The budget will be evaluated to the extent that it is reasonable, 
clearly justified, and consistent with the intended use of the funds.

Executive Order 12372 Review

    This program is not subject to the Executive Order 12372, 
Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs.

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 Number for this program 
is 93.283.

Other Requirements

Paperwork Reduction Act

    Projects that involve the collection of information from ten or 
more individuals and funded by this cooperative agreement will be 
subject to review and approval by the Office of Management and Budget 
(OMB) under the Paperwork Reduction Act.

Human Subjects

    If the proposed project involves research on human subjects, the 
applicant must comply with the Department of Health and Human Services 
Regulations, 45 CFR Part 46, regarding the protection of human 
subjects. Assurance must be provided to demonstrate the project will be 
subject to initial and continuing review by an appropriate 
institutional review committee. The applicant will be responsible for 
providing assurance in accordance with the appropriate guidelines and 
form provided in the application kit.
    In addition to other applicable committees, Indian Health Service 
(IHS) institutional review committees also must review the project if 
any component of IHS will be involved or will support the research. If 
any American Indian community is involved, its tribal government must 
also approve that portion of the project applicable to it.

Women and Minority Inclusion Policy

    It is the policy of the CDC to ensure that women and racial and 
ethnic groups will be included in CDC supported research projects 
involving human subjects, whenever feasible and appropriate. Racial and 
ethnic groups are those defined in OMB Directive No. 15 and include 
American Indian, Alaskan Native, Asian, Pacific Islander, Black and 
Hispanic. Applicants shall ensure that women, racial and ethnic 
minority populations are appropriately represented in applications for 
research involving human subjects. Where clear and compelling rationale 
exist that inclusion is inappropriate or not feasible, this situation 
must be explained as part of the application. In conducting the review 
of applications for scientific merit, review groups will evaluate 
proposed plans for inclusion of minorities and both sexes as part of 
the scientific assessment and assigned score. This policy does not 
apply to research studies when the investigator cannot control the 
race, ethnicity and/or sex of subjects. Further guidance to this policy 
is contained the Federal Register, Vol. 60, No. 179, Friday, September 
15, 1995, pages 47947-47951.

Application Submission and Deadline

    The original and two copies of the application PHS Form 5161-1 
(Revised 7/92, OMB Number 0937-0189) must be submitted to Ron Van 
Duyne, Grants Management Officer, Grants Management Branch, Procurement 
and Grants Office, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 
255 East Paces Ferry Road, NE., Room 300, Mailstop E-13, Atlanta, GA 
30305, on or before July 26, 1996.
    1. Deadline: Applications shall 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. (Applicants must request a 
legibly dated U.S. Postal Service postmark or obtain a legibly dated 
receipt from a commercial carrier or U.S. Postal Service. Private 
metered postmarks shall not be acceptable as proof of timely mailing.)
    2. Late Applications: Applications which do not meet the criteria 
in 1.(a) or 1.(b) above are considered late applications. Late 
applications will not be considered in the current competition and will 
be returned to the applicant.

Where To Obtain Additional Information

    To receive additional written information call (404) 332-4561. You 
will be asked to leave your name, address, and telephone number and 
will need to refer to Announcement 649. You will receive a complete 
program description and information on application procedures and 
application forms. If you have questions after reviewing the contents 
of the package, business management technical assistance may be 
obtained from Oppie Byrd, Grants Management Specialist, Grants 
Management Branch, Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for Disease 
Control and Prevention (CDC), 255 East Paces Ferry Road, NE., Room 300, 
Mailstop E-13, Atlanta, GA 30305, telephone (404) 842-6546, Internet: 
[email protected], fax (404) 842-6513.
    Programmatic technical assistance may be obtained from Joseph 
Cocalis, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers 
for Disease and Control Prevention (CDC), 1095 Willowdale Road, 
Mailstop H-120, Morgantown, WV 26505-2888, telephone (304) 285-5754, 
Internet: [email protected], fax (304) 285-5820.
    Please refer to Announcement 649 when requesting information and 
submitting an application.
    There may be delays in mail delivery as well as difficulty in 
reaching the CDC Atlanta offices during the 1996 Summer Olympics (July 
19--August 4). Therefore, CDC suggests the following to get more timely 
responses to any questions: use Internet/email, follow all instructions 
in this announcement, and leave messages on the contact person's voice 
mail.
    Copies of the NIOSH Alert, Preventing Silicosis and Deaths in Rock 
Drillers, can be obtained by contacting the NIOSH Publications 
Dissemination Office, 4676 Columbia Parkway, Cincinnati, Ohio 45226, 
telephone (513) 533-8287.
    Potential applicants may obtain a copy of Healthy People 2000 (Full 
Report, Stock No. 017-001-00474-0) or Healthy People 2000 (Summary 
Report, Stock No. 017-001-00473-1) referenced in the Introduction 
Section through the Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing 
Office, Washington, DC 20402-9325, telephone (202) 512-1800.


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    Dated: May 30, 1996.
Diane D. Porter,
Acting Director, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
[FR Doc. 96-14170 Filed 6-5-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-19-P