[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 30 (Tuesday, February 13, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10021-10022]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-3560]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

[60Day-01-20]


Proposed Data Collections Submitted for Public Comment and 
Recommendations

    In compliance with the requirement of section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 for opportunity for public comment on 
proposed data collection projects, the Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention (CDC) will publish periodic summaries of proposed projects. 
To request more information on the proposed projects or to obtain a 
copy of the data collection plans and instruments, call the CDC Reports 
Clearance Officer on (404) 639-7090.
    Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
the agency, including whether the information shall have practical 
utility; (b) the accuracy of the

[[Page 10022]]

agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of 
information; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of 
the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of 
the collection of information on respondents, including through the use 
of automated collection techniques for other forms of information 
technology. Send comments to Anne O'Connor, CDC Assistant Reports 
Clearance Officer, 1600 Clifton Road, MS-D24, Atlanta, GA 30333. 
Written comments should be received within 60 days of this notice.

Proposed Project

    Evaluating Toolbox Training Safety Program for Construction and 
Mining--NEW--Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National 
Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) is proposing to 
evaluate the effectiveness of various educational approaches utilizing 
``toolbox'' safety training materials targeted to construction and 
mining industries. The mission of the National Institute for 
Occupational Safety and Health is to promote safety and health at work 
for all people through research and prevention.
    In comparison to other industries, construction and mining, workers 
continue to have the highest rates of occupational fatalities and 
injuries. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimated for 1999 that while 
the construction industry comprises only 6% of the workforce, they 
account for 20% of the fatal occupational injuries across all industry 
types (BLS, 1999). Similarly, though the mining industry comprises less 
than .5% of the workforce, this industry reflects 2% of all fatal 
occupational injuries (BLS, 1999).
    Research on the effectiveness of safety and health training 
programs has revealed that training can lead to increases in worker 
knowledge and awareness of workplace safety practices. However, fewer 
evaluations of safety training effectiveness have investigated the 
relationship between various instructional approaches and the actual 
transfer of safety training information into workplace practices. 
Preliminary input from employees, managers, and union leaders 
representing construction and mining concerns revealed a desire in 
these industries for affordable safety training materials that can be 
effectively administered in short sessions on the job. Representatives 
from these industries reported that safety training sessions need to 
establish a closer connection between the safety recommendations and 
the background experiences and knowledge of the workers.
    An instructional approach that may address these needs is often 
called ``toolbox'' or ``tailgate'' training. This type of training is 
characterized by brief (15 minute) workplace safety lessons. Despite 
the popularity of toolbox safety talks, research is needed to identify 
the most effective format for this medium. NIOSH will investigate the 
impact of using a narrative, case-study instructional approach versus a 
more typical, didactic ``learn the facts'' approach. Comparative 
analyses will examine differences in knowledge gain, safety attitudes 
and beliefs, and workplace behaviors. Findings from this research will 
help identify the conditions critical to effective toolbox safety 
training for mining and construction. The materials developed and 
evaluated during this study will be made available to the public at the 
conclusion of the evaluation.
    Construction and mining companies who participate in the study will 
be randomly assigned to receive eight weekly toolbox safety training 
sessions that use either a case-study narrative or conventional 
instructional approach. The training sessions are designed to last 
fifteen minutes. The impact of these materials will be evaluated 
through the examination of changes in employee knowledge gains, 
attitudes toward safety practices, and the use of safety behaviors 
prior to and following their participation in the safety training 
program. Trainers will complete brief response cards each week. A 
sample of trainers will participate in structured interviews.
    Findings of the study will be reported to participants and in the 
literature. There are no costs associated with participation in this 
study.

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                                                                                    Avg. burden
            Respondents               No. of respondents    Number of responses    per response    Total burden
                                                               per respondent        (in hrs.)      (in Hours)
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Employees.........................  400..................  2 (pretest and post-            15/60             200
                                                            test surveys).
Trainers..........................  40...................  8 (weekly customer               5/60              27
                                                            feedback cards).
Trainers..........................  10 (drawn from the 40  1 (structured                   60/60              10
                                     above).                interviews).
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    Total.........................  .....................  .....................  ..............             237
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    Dated: February 6, 2001.
Nancy Cheal,
Acting Associate Director for Policy, Planning, and Evaluation Centers 
for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
[FR Doc. 01-3560 Filed 2-12-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P