[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 197 (Friday, October 13, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 47737-47738]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-22198]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

[30Day-17-0138]


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. CDC previously published a 
``Proposed Data Collection Submitted for Public Comment and 
Recommendations'' notice on March 2, 2017 to obtain comments from the 
public and affected agencies. CDC did not receive comments related to 
the notice. The purpose of this notice is to allow an additional 30 
days for public comments.
    Written comments and suggestions from the public and affected 
agencies concerning the proposed collection of information are 
encouraged. The Office of Management and Budget is particularly 
interested in comments that:
    (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, 725 17th 
Street NW., Washington, DC 20503 or by fax to (202) 395-5806. Provide 
written comments within 30 days of notice publication.

Proposed Project

    Pulmonary Function Testing Course Approval Program (OMB Control 
Number 0920-0138, Expired 4/30/2017)--Reinstatement with Change--
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), Centers 
for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Background and Brief Description

    NIOSH has the responsibility under the Occupational Safety and 
Health Administration's Cotton Dust Standard, 29 CFR 1920.1043, for 
approving courses to train technicians to perform pulmonary function 
testing in the cotton industry. Successful completion of a NIOSH-
approved course is mandatory under this Standard. In addition, 
regulations at 42 CFR 37.95(a) specify that persons administering 
spirometry tests for the national Coal Workers' Health Surveillance 
Program must successfully complete a NIOSH-approved spirometry training 
course and maintain a valid certificate by periodically completing 
NIOSH-approved spirometry refresher training courses. Also, 29 CFR 
1910.1053(i)(2)(iv), 29 CFR 1910.1053(i)(3), 29 CFR 1926.1153(h)(2)(iv) 
and 29 CFR 1926.1153(h)(3) specify that pulmonary function tests for 
initial and periodic examinations in general industry and construction, 
performed under the respirable crystalline silica standard should be 
administered by a spirometry technician with a current certificate from 
a NIOSH-approved spirometry course. NIOSH is requesting a three-year 
approval.
    To carry out its responsibility, NIOSH maintains a Pulmonary 
Function Training Course Approval Program. The program consists of an 
application submitted by potential sponsors (universities, hospitals, 
and private consulting firms) who seek NIOSH approval to conduct 
courses, and if approved, notification to NIOSH of any course or 
faculty changes during the approval period, which is limited to five 
years. The primary focus of this program is to verify that each course 
sponsor maintains faculty expertise and curriculum content that 
supports the training of technicians to perform spirometry testing 
under current professional clinical-practice guidelines.
    NIOSH reviews the application form and added materials, including 
an agenda, curriculum vitae, and course materials to determine if the 
applicant has developed a program that adheres to the criteria required 
in the Standard.

[[Page 47738]]

Following approval, course sponsors submit any subsequent changes to 
the course via letter or email. In addition, NIOSH staff review 
subsequent changes to assure that the changes in faculty or course 
content continue to meet course requirements. Course sponsors also 
voluntarily submit an annual report to inform NIOSH of their class 
activity level and any faculty changes.
    Sponsors who elect to have their approval renewed for an additional 
five-year period submit a renewal application and supporting 
documentation for review by NIOSH staff to ensure the course curriculum 
meets all current standard requirements. Approved courses that elect to 
offer NIOSH-Approved Spirometry Refresher Courses must submit a 
separate application and supporting documents for review by NIOSH 
staff. Institutions and organizations throughout the country 
voluntarily submit applications and materials to become course sponsors 
and carry out training. Submissions are required for NIOSH to evaluate 
a course and determine whether the course meets the Standard's criteria 
and whether technicians meet the training requirements.
    NIOSH will disseminate a one-time customer satisfaction survey to 
course directors and sponsor representatives to evaluate our service to 
courses, the effectiveness of the program changes implemented since 
2005, and the usefulness of potential Program enhancements. The 
annualized figures slightly overestimate the actual burden, due to 
rounding of the number of respondents for even allocation over the 
three-year clearance period.
    The respondent burden hours have decreased from 201 burden hours to 
147 burden hours. Over the last three-year period, there are fewer 
sponsors, fewer refresher course applications, and all collection 
instruments are now available in electronic submittal formats.
    There will be no cost to respondents.

                                        Estimated Annualized Burden Hours
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                                                                                     Number of    Average burden
        Type of respondents                   Form name              Number of     responses per   per response
                                                                    respondents     respondent      (in hours)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Potential Sponsors.................  Initial Application........               3               1             3.5
                                     Annual Report..............              30               1           30/60
                                     Report for Course Changes..              24               1           30/60
                                     Renewal Application........              13               1               6
                                     Refresher Course                          3               1               8
                                      Application.
                                     One-time Customer                        32               1           12/60
                                      Satisfaction Survey.
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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. 2017-22198 Filed 10-12-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4163-18-P