[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 48 (Thursday, March 11, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 11624-11625]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-5516]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

[60Day-04-30]


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) 498-1210.
    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 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 or other 
forms of information technology. Send comments to Seleda Perryman, CDC 
Assistant Reports Clearance Officer, 1600 Clifton Road, MS-E11, 
Atlanta, GA 30333. Written comments should be received within 60 days 
of this notice.
    Proposed Project: Health Hazard Evaluations/Technical Assistance 
and Emerging Problems, OMB No. 0920-0260-EXTENSION-National Institute 
for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), Centers for Disease Control 
and Prevention (CDC).

Background

    In accordance with the mandates of the Occupational Safety and 
Health Act of 1970 and the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977, 
the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) 
responds to requests for health hazard evaluations to identify 
chemical, biological or physical hazards in workplaces throughout the 
United States.
    To comprehensively evaluate hazards in response to a request for a 
health hazard evaluation, NIOSH frequently conducts an on-site 
evaluation. The main purpose of an on-site evaluation is to help 
employers and employees identify and eliminate occupational health 
hazards. The interview and questionnaires are specific to each 
workplace and its suspected disease(s) and hazards. The questionnaires 
are composed of items that were developed from standard medical and 
epidemiologic techniques.
    NIOSH distributes interim and final reports of health hazard 
evaluations (excluding personal identifiers) to requesters, employers, 
employee representatives, the Department of Labor; and as appropriate 
to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration or Mine Safety and 
Health Administration, and other state and federal agencies.
    NIOSH administers a followback program to assess the effectiveness 
of its health hazard evaluation program in reducing workplace hazards. 
This program entails the mailing of followback questionnaires to 
employer and employee representatives in the workplace and, in some 
instances, to a followback on-site evaluation. Due to the large number 
of investigations conducted each year, as well as the diverse and 
unpredictable nature of these investigations, and the need to respond 
quickly to requests for assistance, NIOSH requests consolidated 
clearance for data collection of its health hazard evaluations. There 
is no cost to respondents.

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                                                                     Number of    Average burden/
                   Respondents                       Number of      responses/     response  (in   Total burden
                                                    respondents     respondent         hrs)            hours
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Employees (interview)...........................            4000               1           15/60            1000
Employees (questionnaire).......................            4000               1           30/60            2000
Employees (followback)..........................             300               2           30/60             300
Employers (followback)..........................             300               2           30/60             300
                                                 -----------------
    Total.......................................  ..............  ..............  ..............            3600
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[[Page 11625]]

    Dated: March 4, 2004.
Alvin Hall,
Director, Management Analysis and Services Office, Centers for Disease 
Control and Prevention.
[FR Doc. 04-5516 Filed 3-10-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P