[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 144 (Tuesday, July 28, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 44964-44965]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-18455]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

[30Day-15-15GJ]


Agency Forms Undergoing Paperwork Reduction Act Review

    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has submitted 
the following information collection request to the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval in accordance with 
the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The notice for the proposed 
information collection is published to obtain comments from the public 
and affected agencies.
    Written comments and suggestions from the public and affected 
agencies concerning the proposed collection of information are 
encouraged. Your comments should address any of the following: (a) 
Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is necessary 
for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including 
whether the information will have practical utility; (b) Evaluate the 
accuracy of the agencies estimate of the burden of the proposed 
collection of information, including the validity of the methodology 
and assumptions used; (c) Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of 
the information to be collected; (d) Minimize the burden of the 
collection of information on those who are to respond, including 
through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or 
other technological collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology, e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses; and 
(e) Assess information collection costs.
    To request additional information on the proposed project or to 
obtain a copy of the information collection plan and instruments, call 
(404) 639-7570 or send an email to [email protected]. Direct written comments 
and/or suggestions regarding the items contained in this notice to the 
Attention: CDC Desk Officer, Office of Management and Budget, 
Washington, DC 20503 or by fax to (202) 395-5806. Written comments 
should be received within 30 days of this notice.

Proposed Project

    Investigating the Implementation and Evaluation of Top-ranked HSMS 
Elements--New--National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health 
(NIOSH), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Background and Brief Description

    NIOSH, under Public Law 91-596, sections 20 and 22 (section 20-22, 
Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1977) has the responsibility to 
conduct research relating to innovative methods, techniques, and 
approaches dealing with occupational safety and health problems.
    This project seeks to understand the best practices for developing, 
implementing, and maintaining a robust risk management system (i.e. 
health and safety management system [HSMS]). Researchers suggest that 
an HSMS requires considerable knowledge, skills, abilities, and 
competencies from all individuals within an organization as well as 
focused and purposeful coordination between them.
    Previous research considered the sheer number of possible choices 
to be a barrier to HSMS adoption. Therefore, NIOSH began to understand 
what the most fundamentally important elements were that support the 
development, implementation and maintenance of a comprehensive, 
effective risk-based HSMS. NIOSH surveyed practicing health and safety 
executives, managers, and professionals (9 total) from a variety of 
mining commodities to determine if they agreed on which HSMS elements 
and practices were most important. The results of this study suggested 
that the following areas require consistent focus and attention: 
Leadership Development; Accountability; Knowledge, Skills, and 
Abilities Development; System Coordination; Culture Enhancement; 
Behavior Optimization; and Risk Management. To date, little empirical 
research has been conducted to address practical research questions 
related to each.
    Therefore, the current research task is designed to investigate 
research questions related to the practical purpose, implementation, 
and evaluation of each element: (1) How is each of these HSMS elements 
best executed within mining organizations?; (2) how do you know an 
element has been successfully implemented within the organization?; and 
(3) what are the barriers to implementing these HSMS elements within 
mining organizations?
    This study employs a strictly qualitative approach to answer the 
research questions. A qualitative approach allows researchers to probe 
participants and learn about their specific experiences through in-
depth examples. A protocol that will be used during an interview and/or 
focus group was developed. The subject matter in the protocol is 
focused on implementing and evaluating specific elements within 
managers' HSMS and possible barriers to implementation and evaluation.
    NIOSH is seeking a three-year approval for this project which will 
target mine sites for participation by reaching out to organizational 
leaders/managers of health and safety at respective mines for their 
participation. Data collection, in the form of interviews and/or focus 
groups will occur to answer the questions for this study.
    Respondents targeted for this study include corporate or site mine 
managers (also referred to in some cases as leaders, executives, 
coordinators or supervisors). These individuals are responsible for the 
day-to-day administration and/or implementation of the HSMS. In some 
cases, more than one individual is responsible for certain aspects of 
the HSMS. Therefore, depending on how these responsibilities are 
designated at mine sites and how many of these leaders are interested 
at each mine site, researchers will either facilitate a single 
interview or a focus group with mine site leadership.
    Participants will be recruited through members of mine management 
using a mine recruitment script. It is estimated that a sample of up to 
100 individuals (approximately 34 per year) will agree to participate 
among a variety of mine sites. Participants will be between the ages of 
18 and 75, currently employed, and living in the United States. 
Participation will require no more than 60 minutes of workers' time. 
There is no cost to respondents other than their time.
    Upon collection of the data, researchers will analyze and determine 
the effect that each element has on a mine's ability to develop, 
implement or maintain an HSMS. With that said, lines of theoretical 
inquiry will be used to inform the thinking behind the practical 
guidance ultimately provided to mining organizations. Essentially, best 
practices can be provided that are applicable across an HSMS, not 
respective to just one aspect or element. Therefore, the findings will 
be used to make an HSMS more feasible and applicable for the mining 
industry.
    The total estimated burden hours are 32.

[[Page 44965]]



                                        Estimated Annualized Burden Hours
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                                                                                     Number of    Average burden
          Type of respondent                    Form name            Number of     responses per   per  response
                                                                    respondents     respondent      (in hours)
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Safety/health Mine Representative.....  Mine Manager Recruitment               8               1            5/60
                                         Script.
Safety/health Mine Manager............  HSMS Interview/Focus                  34               1           55/60
                                         Group Protocol.
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Leroy A. Richardson,
Chief, Information Collection Review Office, Office of Scientific 
Integrity, Office of the Associate Director for Science, Office of the 
Director, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
[FR Doc. 2015-18455 Filed 7-27-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4163-18-P