[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 234 (Wednesday, December 5, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 63244-63245]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-30041]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

[30 DAY-08-02]


Agency Forms Undergoing Paperwork Reduction Act Review

    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) publishes a 
list of information collection requests under review by the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) in compliance with the Paperwork Reduction 
Act (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35). To request a copy of these requests, call 
the CDC Reports Clearance Officer at (404) 639-7090. Send written 
comments to CDC, Desk Officer, Human Resources and Housing Branch, New 
Executive Office Building, Room 10235, Washington, DC 20503. Written 
comments should be received within 30 days of this notice.
    Proposed Project: Evaluating Toolbox Training Safety Program for 
Construction and Mining--NEW--National Institute for Occupational 
Safety and Health (NIOSH), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 
(CDC) proposes 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. The total annual burden for this data collection is 363 
hours.

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                                                                                     Number of      Avg. burden
                           Respondents                               Number of     responses per   per response
                                                                    respondents     respondent       (in hrs.)
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Worker Knowledge-Attitude Survey (Before Training)..............             640               1           15/60
Worker Knowledge-Attitude Survey (After Training)...............             640               1           15/60

[[Page 63245]]

 
Instructor Feedback Cards.......................................              64               8            5/60
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    Dated: November 28, 2001.
Nancy E. Cheal,
Acting Associate Director for Policy, Planning, and Evaluation, Centers 
for Disease Control and Prevention.
[FR Doc. 01-30041 Filed 12-4-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P