[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 94 (Friday, May 15, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 27087-27089]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-12935]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
[Program Announcement 98066]


A Model Hearing Conservation Program for Coal Miners; Notice of 
Availability of Funds

A. Purpose

    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announces the 
availability of fiscal year (FY) 1998 funds for a cooperative agreement 
program for A Model Hearing Conservation Program for Coal Miners. This 
program addresses the ``Healthy People 2000'' priority area of 
Occupational Safety and Health.
    The purpose of the program is to demonstrate the effectiveness of a 
model hearing conservation program (HCP) in the prevention of 
occupational noise-induced hearing loss among coal miners.
    When the Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969, the predecessor 
to the present Federal Mine Health and Safety Act, was enacted, it was 
already recognized that the high noise levels generated by mining 
machines posed a serious threat to the health of miners. In 1976, NIOSH 
published the results of a cross-sectional survey of hearing levels 
which confirmed the severity of hearing loss among coal miners. The 
study found that over 70 percent of coal miners had a hearing 
impairment by the time they retired. In recognition of the extensive 
hearing loss among miners, regulations were adopted to limit the 
overexposure of miners to harmful noise, and a program of research to 
develop engineering controls to reduce the noise levels of mining 
equipment was initiated. A recent analysis of a large audiometric data 
base on coal miners has revealed that the majority of coal miners are 
still losing their hearing. Over 90 percent of the miners who retired 
around 1990 had experienced a high frequency hearing loss. This finding 
can only be explained by the failure of the mining community to pursue 
a systematic plan of intervention over the last 20 years; such a plan 
would also have included a mechanism to continuously evaluate the 
impact of the intervention activities.
    The Mine Safety and Health Administration is addressing this 
situation through new rulemaking. The proposed regulations would 
require that operators use engineering and administrative controls and 
provide audiometric tests when a miner's noise exposure exceeds the 
Permissible Exposure Limit. Although these new regulations can have a 
positive impact, the elimination of hearing loss as a disease among 
coal miners can only be realized through the collaborative efforts of 
labor, management, and government in adopting and supporting 
comprehensive HCP's.
    This program is focused on designing a model HCP for coal miners 
which incorporates the best practices of well-run programs in other 
industries, implementing the program at a cooperating underground coal 
mine, and evaluating it over a 5-year period to demonstrate its 
efficacy in preventing hearing loss. An effective HCP should include 
the following critical elements: measurement of worker noise exposure 
and noise sources, intervention strategies to reduce noise exposures, 
periodic audiometric evaluations, educational and motivational 
programs, record keeping, and monitoring to assess effectiveness of 
program elements. Project results, in combination with other research, 
will support the implementation of HCP's by providing workshops and 
recommendations to the mining industry and preparing publications and 
recommendations to the scientific community.

B. Eligible Applicants

    Applications may be submitted by public and private nonprofit and 
for-profit organizations and by governments and their agencies; that 
is, universities, colleges, research institutions, hospitals, other 
public and private nonprofit and for-profit organizations, State and 
local governments or their bona fide agents, and federally recognized 
Indian tribal

[[Page 27088]]

governments, Indian tribes, or Indian tribal organizations.

    Note: Public Law 104-65 states that an organization described in 
section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 that engages 
in lobbying activities is not eligible to receive Federal funds 
constituting an award, grant, cooperative agreement, contract, loan, 
or any other form.

C. Availability of Funds

    Approximately $275,000 is available in FY 1998 to fund one award. 
It is expected that the award will begin on or about September 30, 
1998, and will be made for a 12-month budget period within a project 
period of up to five years. Funding estimates may change.
    Continuation awards within an approved project period will be made 
on the basis of satisfactory progress as evidenced by required reports 
and the availability of funds.

D. 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).

A. Recipient Activities

    1. Prepare study protocol and obtain required approvals. The 
protocol should include the methodology to be used in developing and 
evaluating the HCP, technical activities to implement the HCP, data to 
be collected, and proposed analyses of the data. Present the protocol 
to a panel of scientific reviewers (if required) and revise the 
protocol as required for final approval.
    2. Implement and manage the HCP with the cooperation of the mine 
operator and employees.
    3. Schedule and conduct worker noise exposure measurements, 
audiometric testing, and engineering noise control work.
    4. Evaluate the effectiveness of the overall HCP, as well as, 
individual elements of the program, in reducing worker noise exposure 
levels and preventing hearing loss.
    5. Prepare a report summarizing the study methodology, the results 
of all analyses, and conclusions reached. Report study results in the 
scientific community via presentations at professional conferences and 
articles in peer-reviewed journals.
    6. Conduct one industry-wide workshop to share the results of this 
study with the mining industry and to promote the adoption of HCP's by 
other mines.

B. CDC/NIOSH Activities

    1. Provide scientific and technical collaboration for the 
successful completion of the project.
    2. Assist, if necessary, in the measurement, analysis, and 
evaluation of both worker noise exposures and hearing 
levels(audiometric data).
    3. Assist, if necessary, in the identification of intervention 
strategies to reduce worker noise exposure levels.
    4. Review the results of the study and collaborate, where 
appropriate, in the preparation and publication of results in peer-
reviewed journals.

E. Application Content

Competing Applications

    Use the information in the Program Requirements, Other 
Requirements, and Evaluation Criteria sections to develop the 
application content. Your application will be evaluated on the criteria 
listed, so it is important to follow them in laying out your program 
plan. The narrative should be no more than 25 double-spaced pages, 
printed on one side, with one inch margins, and unreduced font.

F. Submission and Deadline

Letter of Intent

    Your letter of intent (LOI) should include the following 
information. The LOI must be submitted on or before June 1, 1998, to: 
Victoria Sepe, Grants Management Specialist, Grants Management Branch, 
Procurement and Grants Office, Announcement 98066, Centers for Disease 
Control and Prevention (CDC), Room 300, 255 East Paces Ferry Road, NE., 
M/S E-13, Atlanta, Georgia 30305-2209.

Application

    Submit the original and two copies of PHS 5161-1 (OMB Number 0937-
0189). Forms are in the application kit. On or before July 1, 1998, 
submit the application to: Victoria Sepe, Grants Management Specialist, 
Grants Management Branch, Procurement and Grants Office, Announcement 
98066, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Room 300, 255 
East Paces Ferry Road, NE., M/S E-13, Atlanta, Georgia 30305-2209.
    If your application does not arrive in time for submission to the 
independent review group, it will not be considered in the current 
competition unless you can provide proof that you mailed it on or 
before the deadline (i.e., receipt from U.S. Postal Service or a 
commercial carrier; private metered postmarks are not acceptable).

G. Evaluation Criteria

    Each application will be evaluated individually against the 
following criteria by an independent review group appointed by CDC.

1. Plan (35%)

    The applicant's overall research plan should reflect a 
comprehensive understanding of all aspects of the cooperative 
agreement, including the resources and time required for accomplishing 
the project. The plan should include a commitment from the 
participating mine, as evidenced by a written agreement, for the mine 
operator to work collaboratively with labor and government in support 
of achieving the objectives of the cooperative agreement.

2. Objectives (25%)

    a. The applicant should demonstrate a clear and complete 
understanding of the objectives of the cooperative agreement. This 
should reflect the applicant's understanding of the problem to be 
addressed and the purpose of the project. The objectives should be 
timelined and measurable.
    b. 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:
    1. The proposed plan for the inclusion of both sexes and racial and 
ethnic minority populations for appropriate representation.
    2. The proposed justification when representation is limited or 
absent.
    3. A statement as to whether the design of the study is adequate to 
measure differences when warranted.
    4. 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.

3. Methods (25%)

    The study design and methodology for accomplishing the stated 
objectives should be thorough and sound. The applicant's proposed 
methodology should demonstrate an understanding of the pertinent 
literature on hearing conservation programs, including the need for an 
on-going process to evaluate the impact of the intervention activities 
to reduce worker noise exposure levels and prevent any significant 
hearing loss.

4. Evaluation (15%)

    The applicant's proposed plans to ensure project activities are 
carried out on schedule and to evaluate project accomplishments should 
be identified.

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5. Budget (Not Scored)

    The budget will be evaluated to the extent that it is reasonable, 
clearly justified, and consistent with the intended use of funds.

6. Human Subjects (Not Scored)

    Does the application adequately address the requirements of Title 
45 CFR Part 46 for the protection of human subjects?

____YES     ____NO

Comments:--------------------------------------------------------------

H. Other Requirements

    Technical Reporting Requirements
    Provide CDC with original plus two copies of:
    1. progress reports (annual);
    2. financial status report, no more than 90 days after the end of 
the budget period; and
    3. final financial and performance reports, no more than 90 days 
after the end of the project period.
    Send all reports to: Victoria Sepe, Grants Management Specialist, 
Grants Management Branch, Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for 
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Room 300, 255 East Paces Ferry 
Road, NE., M/S E-13, Atlanta, GA 30305-2209.
    The following additional requirements are applicable to this 
program. For a complete description of each, see Attachment I (in the 
application kit).

AR98-1--Human Subjects Requirements
AR98-2--Requirements for Inclusion of Women and Racial and Ethnic 
Minorities in Research
AR98-7--Executive Order 12372 Review
AR98-9--Paperwork Reduction Act Requirements
AR98-10--Smoke-Free Workplace Requirements
AR98-11--Healthy People 2000
AR98-12--Lobbying Restrictions
AR98-14--Accounting System Requirements

I. Authority and Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number

    This program is authorized under the Public Health Service Act, 
Sections 301(a) and 311, [42 U.S.C. 241(a) and 243], as amended, and 
Section 21, [29 U.S.C. 670] of the Occupational Safety and Health Act 
of 1970. The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance number is 93.262 
for the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) 
in CDC.

J. Where To Obtain Additional Information

    To receive additional written information and to request an 
application kit, call 1-888-GRANTS4 (1-888 472-6874). You will be asked 
to leave your name and address and will be instructed to identify the 
Announcement number of interest.
    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, Announcement [98066], Centers 
for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Room 300, 255 East Paces 
Ferry Road, NE., M/S E-13, Atlanta, GA 30305-2209, telephone (404) 842-
6804, Email address [email protected].
    For program technical assistance, contact J. Alton Burks, Sc.D., 
Hearing Loss Prevention Branch, Pittsburgh Research Laboratory, 
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for 
Disease Control and Prevention(CDC), P.O. Box 18070, Pittsburgh, PA 
15236, Telephone (412) 892-6484, Internet: [email protected].
    Also, the CDC home page on the Internet: http://www.cdc.gov is 
available for copies of this Announcement and funding documents.

    Dated: May 8, 1998.
Diane D. Porter,
Acting Director, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 
Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
[FR Doc. 98-12935 Filed 5-14-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-19-P