[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 229 (Wednesday, November 26, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 72054-72055]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-28152]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention


Notice of Public Meeting

AGENCY: The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health 
(NIOSH) of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

ACTION: Notice of public meeting.

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SUMMARY: The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health 
(NIOSH) of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) 
announces the following public meeting: ``Partnerships to Advance the 
National Occupational Research Agenda (NORA).''
    Public Meeting Time and Date: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. EST, January 22, 2009.
    Place: Patriots Plaza, 395 E Street, SW., Conference Room 9000, 
Washington, DC 20201.
    Purpose of Meeting: The National Occupational Research Agenda 
(NORA) has been structured to engage partners with each other and/or 
with NIOSH to advance NORA priorities. The NORA Liaison Committee 
continues to be an opportunity for representatives from organizations 
with national scope to learn about NORA progress and to suggest 
possible partnerships based on their organization's mission and 
contacts. This opportunity is now structured as a public meeting via 
the internet to attract participation by a larger number of 
organizations and to further enhance the success of NORA. Some of the 
types of organizations of national scope that are especially

[[Page 72055]]

encouraged to participate are employers, unions, trade associations, 
labor associations, professional associations, and foundations. Others 
are welcome.
    This meeting will include updates from NIOSH leadership on NORA as 
well as updates from approximately half of the Sector Councils on their 
progress, priorities, and implementation plans to date, including the 
Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing Sector; Healthcare and Social 
Assistance Sector; Mining Sector; Mining--Oil and Gas Extraction Sub-
Sector; and Transportation, Warehousing and Utilities Sector. After 
each update, there will be time to discuss partnership opportunities.
    Status: The meeting is open to the public, limited only by the 
capacities of the conference call and conference room facilities. There 
is limited space available in the meeting room (capacity 34). 
Therefore, information to allow participation in the meeting through 
the internet (to see the slides) and a teleconference call (capacity 
50) will be provided to registered participants. Participants are 
encouraged to consider attending by this method. Each participant is 
requested to register for the free meeting by sending an e-mail to 
[email protected] containing the participant's name, organization 
name, contact telephone number on the day of the meeting, and 
preference for participation by Web meeting (requirements include: 
computer, internet connection, and telephone, preferably with ``mute'' 
capability) or in person. An e-mail confirming registration will 
include the details needed to participate in the Web meeting. Non-US 
citizens are encouraged to participate in the Web meeting. Non-US 
citizens registering to attend in person after January 8 will not have 
time to comply with security procedures.
    Background: NORA is a partnership program to stimulate innovative 
research in occupational safety and health leading to improved 
workplace practices. Unveiled in 1996, NORA has become a research 
framework for the nation. Diverse parties collaborate to identify the 
most critical issues in workplace safety and health. Partners then work 
together to develop goals and objectives for addressing those needs and 
to move the research results into practice. The NIOSH role is 
facilitator of the process. For more information about NORA, see http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/nora/about.html.
    Since 2006, NORA has been structured according to industrial 
sectors. Eight sector groups have been defined using the North American 
Industrial Classification System (NAICS). After receiving public input 
through the Web and town hall meetings, NORA Sector Councils have been 
working to define sector-specific strategic plans for conducting 
research and moving the results into widespread practice. During 2008, 
most of these Councils have posted draft strategic plans for public 
comment. One has posted its finalized National Sector Agenda after 
considering comments on its draft. For more information, see the link 
above and choose ``Sector-based Approach,'' ``NORA Sector Councils,'' 
``Sector Agendas'' and ``Comment on Draft Sector Agendas'' from the 
right-side menu.
    Contact Person for Technical Information: Sidney C. Soderholm, 
Ph.D., NORA Coordinator, e-mail [email protected], telephone 
(202) 245-0665.

    Dated: November 19, 2008.
James D. Seligman,
Chief Information Officer, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
[FR Doc. E8-28152 Filed 11-25-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-19-P