[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 110 (Thursday, June 6, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 28875-28877]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-14171]



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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
[Announcement 624]


National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Work 
Organization Interventions To Prevent Work-Related Musculoskeletal 
Disorders in Office and Video Display Terminal Work

Introduction

    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announces the 
availability of fiscal year (FY) 1996 funds for a cooperative agreement 
program to develop work organization interventions to prevent 
musculoskeletal disorders in office and video display terminal (VDT) 
workers.
    The CDC is committed to achieving the health promotion and disease 
prevention objectives of Healthy People 2000, 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.)

Authority

    This program is authorized under Sections 20(a) and 22(e)(7) of the 
Occupational Safety and Health Act [29 U.S.C. 669(a) and 671(e)(7)].

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 health departments 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.

Availability of Funds

    Approximately $140,000 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 one year. The funding estimate is subject to change.
    Applications should be focused on the research priorities described 
in the section ``FUNDING PRIORITIES'' that includes new research 
priorities developed in a process which resulted in defining a National 
Occupational Research Agenda. Proposals in these areas will compete for 
the available funds as noted in the previous paragraph.

Purpose

    The purpose of this cooperative agreement is to utilize the special 
resources of the extramural research community to conduct studies. The 
funded project will focus on worksite primary prevention efforts, 
replicating and extending the CDC/NIOSH interventions described in the 
BACKGROUND Section of the Program Announcement. This could include: (a) 
replication/validation of CDC/NIOSH findings on work-rest schedules and 
task rotation, (b) extension of these interventions to other types of 
VDT and office tasks, and (c) examination of other types of work 
organization interventions.
    Prior studies have indicated that some types of VDT jobs may pose 
higher risk for stress and work-related musculoskeletal disorders 
(WRMD), particularly jobs involving highly repetitive and narrow tasks 
(e.g., data entry or teleoperator tasks). Such jobs are of particular 
interest for this project. Project results, in combination with NIOSH 
findings, will provide the basis for recommendations regarding 
effective work organization strategies for reducing WRMDs, and 
improving performance in repetitive VDT work. Project results will also 
improve our understanding of mechanisms mediating between work 
organization variables and musculoskeletal disorders in VDT work.

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 activities 
under B. (CDC/NIOSH Activities):

A. Recipient Activities

    1. Evaluate the effectiveness of work organization interventions in 
reducing WRMDs and in improving productivity among VDT workers. Both 
physical and psychological symptoms will be evaluated.
    2. Develop a study protocol that reviews the pertinent literature 
on VDT-related musculoskeletal disorders and work organization, 
describes the study methodology, the data to be collected, and the 
proposed analysis of the data. Present the protocol to a panel of peer 
reviewers and revise the protocol as required for final approval.
    3. Prepare necessary documentation for reviews and/or clearances 
required by CDC/NIOSH. (Depending on what is proposed, it may be 
necessary to obtain NIOSH peer review, Human Subjects Review Board, or 
OMB approvals on some protocols.)
    4. Perform data collection and management. Data is to include 
measures of worker symptomatology and performance and can additionally 
include records data on factors such as absenteeism, health care 
utilization, etc. Symptomatology can include musculoskeletal 
discomfort, upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders, and indicators 
of negative mental health (e.g., depression, anxiety, tension). 
Performance indicators can include measures such as keystrokes/hour, 
forms/hour, and errors.
    5. Prepare a final report summarizing the study methodology, 
results obtained, and conclusions reached. Develop recommendations 
regarding effective work organization interventions to reduce stress, 
fatigue, and WRMDs among VDT workers.
    6. Report study results to the scientific community via 
presentations at professional conferences and articles in peer-reviewed 
journals.

B. CDC/NIOSH Activities

    1. Provide scientific, epidemiologic, work organization, ergonomic, 
and medical collaboration for the successful completion of this 
project.
    2. Identify reviews and/or clearances that must be fulfilled by the 
recipient, and identify and convene a Peer Review Panel to review draft 
study protocol.
    3. Provide assistance in all stages of the study including study 
design, survey instrument design, collection, tabulation, and analysis 
of data, interpretation of the results and preparation of the written 
reports.
    4. Provide electromyograph (EMG) or other instrumentation and data 
collection assistance in investigating physiological mechanisms in VDT 
WRMDs.

[[Page 28876]]

Evaluation Criteria

    The application will be reviewed and evaluated according to the 
following criteria:
    1. Understanding of the Problem (25%)
    Responsiveness to the objective of the cooperative agreement 
including: (a) applicant's understanding of the general objectives of 
the proposed cooperative agreement, and (b) evidence of ability to 
understand the problem and to conceive/design effective interventions.
    2. Program Personnel (30%)
    (a) Applicant's technical experience (e.g., in the areas of work 
organization, WRMDs and office and VDT ergonomics), (b) the 
qualifications (e.g., in the areas of industrial engineering, 
psychology and occupational safety and health) and time allocation of 
the professional staff to be assigned to this project, and, (c) the 
applicant's ability to describe the approach to be used in carrying out 
the responsibilities of the applicant.
    3. Study Design (20%)
    Steps proposed in planning and implementing this project and the 
respective responsibilities of the applicant for carrying out those 
steps. Also, the adequacy of the applicant's evidence of access to 
study populations. 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 forstudy participants include the process of establishing 
partnerships with community(ies) and recognition of mutual benefits 
will be documented.
    4. Project Planning (15%)
    The applicant's schedule proposed for accomplishing the activities 
to be carried out in this project and for evaluating the 
accomplishments.
    5. Facilities and Resources (10%)
    The adequacy of the applicant's facilities, equipment, and other 
resources available for performance of this project.
    6. Human Subjects
    Whether or not exempt from the DHHS regulations, are procedures 
adequate for the protection of human subjects? Recommendations on the 
adequacy of protections include: (1) Protections appear adequate, and 
there are no comments to make or concerns to raise, (2) protections 
appear adequate, but there are comments regarding the protocol, (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. (NOT SCORED)
    7. Budget Justification
    The budget will be evaluated to the extent that it is reasonable, 
clearly justified, and consistent with the intended use of funds. (NOT 
SCORED)

Executive Order 12372 Review

    This program is not subject to the Executive Order 12372 review.

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 project 
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, Racial and Ethnic Minorities

    It is the policy of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 
(CDC) and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) 
to ensure that individuals of both sexes and the various racial and 
ethnic groups will be included in CDC/ATSDR-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. 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 in the Federal Register, Vol. 60, No. 179, pages 47947-
47951, and dated Friday, September 15, 1995.

Funding Priorities

    The NIOSH program priorities, listed below, were developed by NIOSH 
and its partners in the public and private sectors to provide a 
framework to guide occupational safety and health research in the next 
decade--not only for NIOSH but also for the entire occupational safety 
and health community. Approximately 500 organizations and individuals 
outside NIOSH provided input into the development of the National 
Occupational Research Agenda (NORA). This attempt to guide and 
coordinate research nationally is responsive to a broadly perceived 
need to address systematically those topics that are most pressing and 
most likely to yield gains to the worker and the nation. Fiscal 
constraints on occupational safety and health research are increasing, 
making even more compelling the need for a coordinated and focused 
research agenda. NIOSH intends to support projects that facilitate 
progress in understanding and preventing adverse effects among workers. 
The conditions or examples listed under each category are selected 
examples, not comprehensive definitions of the category. Investigators 
may also apply in other areas related to occupational safety and 
health, but the

[[Page 28877]]

rationale for the significance of the research to the field of 
occupational safety and health must be presented in the grant 
application.
    The Agenda identifies 21 research priorities. These priorities 
reflect a remarkable degree of concurrence among a large number of 
stakeholders. The NORA priority research areas are grouped into three 
categories: Disease and Injury, Work Environment and Workforce, and 
Research Tools and Approaches. The NORA document is available through 
the NIOSH Home Page; http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/nora.html.
NORA Priority Research Areas
Disease and Injury
    Allergic and Irritant Dermatitis
    Asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
    Fertility and Pregnancy Abnormalities
    Hearing Loss
    Infectious Diseases
    Low Back Disorders
    Musculoskeletal Disorders of the Upper Extremities
    Traumatic Injuries
Work Environment and Workforce
    Emerging Technologies
    Indoor Environment
    Mixed Exposures
    Organization of Work
    Special Populations at Risk
Research Tools and Approaches
    Cancer Research Methods
    Control Technology and Personal Protective Equipment
    Exposure Assessment Methods
    Health Services Research
    Intervention Effectiveness Research
    Risk Assessment Methods
    Social and Economic Consequences of Workplace Illness and Injury
    Surveillance Research Methods

Application Submission and Deadline

1. 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, at the 
address provided in this section. It should be postmarked no later than 
June 15, 1996. 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.
    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), 
Mailstop E-13, 255 East Paces Ferry Road, NE., Room 300, Atlanta, GA 
30305, on or before July 17, 1996.
    1. 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.)
    2. Late Applicants: Applications that 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 applicants.

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 624. You will receive a complete 
program description and information on application procedures and 
application forms. If you have questions after reviewing the contents 
of all the documents, 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; fax: (404) 
842-6513; Internet: [email protected].
    Programmatic technical assistance may be obtained from Naomi G. 
Swanson, Ph.D., Chief, Motivation and Stress Research Section, Applied 
Psychology and Ergonomics Branch, Division of Biomedical and Behavioral 
Science, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers 
for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Mailstop C-24, 4676 Columbia 
Parkway, Cincinnati, OH 45226-1998, telephone (513) 533-8165; fax: 
(513) 533-8596; Internet: [email protected].
    Please refer to Announcement 624 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.
    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.

    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. 96-14171 Filed 6-5-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-19-P