[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 117 (Friday, June 17, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 36505-36507]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-13091]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

[30Day-22-21EX]


Agency Forms Undergoing Paperwork Reduction Act Review

    In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Centers 
for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has submitted the information 
collection request titled ``Baseline of Injury and Psychosocial Stress 
for Applied Behavior Analysis Workers'' to the Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB) for review and approval. CDC previously published a 
``Proposed Data Collection Submitted for Public Comment and 
Recommendations'' notice on May 7, 2021 to obtain comments from the 
public and affected

[[Page 36506]]

agencies. CDC did not receive comments related to the previous notice. 
This notice serves to allow an additional 30 days for public and 
affected agency comments.
    CDC will accept all comments for this proposed information 
collection project. 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. Comments and recommendations for the proposed 
information collection should be sent within 30 days of publication of 
this notice to www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain. Find this particular 
information collection by selecting ``Currently under 30-day Review--
Open for Public Comments'' or by using the search function. 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

    Baseline of Injury and Psychosocial Stress for Applied Behavior 
Analysis Workers--New--National Institute for Occupational Safety and 
Health (NIOSH), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Background and Brief Description

    As mandated in the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (Pub. 
L. 91-596), the mission of NIOSH is to conduct research and 
investigations on occupational safety and health. This project will 
focus on obtaining a better understanding of the injuries sustained and 
psychosocial stressors experienced by applied behavior analysis 
workers. Applied behavior analysis (ABA) is a principle intervention 
for increasing appropriate behaviors and decreasing inappropriate 
behaviors exhibited by children, adolescents, and adults with 
developmental disorders. As of August 2020, there were more than 
120,000 ABA workers credentialed by the Behavior Analysis Certification 
Board. ABA workers, which include Board Certified Behavior Analysts and 
Registered Behavior Technicians, are responsible for planning and 
implementing behavior-focused treatments in schools, clinics, homes, 
and hospitals.
    There is no current Standard Occupational Classification category 
for ABA workers. The absence of an occupational category means that 
estimates of injury among this group are based on statistics from 
existing occupational groups and anecdotal evidence from practitioners. 
ABA workers are in a variety of occupational categories, but they often 
have job duties that make many of their experiences in the workplace 
distinct from other types of workers in those occupational categories. 
Whereas other healthcare workers usually take steps to mitigate 
violence in their work, ABA workers are tasked with soliciting and then 
treating (i.e., confronting) disruptive behavior as part of behavioral 
treatments. In addition, ABA workers often spend more time with clients 
than other types of workers: 25-40 hours per week of direct-contact 
services is common for a client.
    Some ABA workers are often in dangerous working environments, in 
homes and clinics, with clients who may sometimes behave unpredictably 
or aggressively. Despite these hazards and risks and despite the 
growing number of ABA workers nationally, there are no data on 
frequency and severity of injuries among this population of workers, 
and the only evidence is anecdotal in nature. The goal of the study is 
to collect data on the burden of work-related injuries among ABA 
workers to begin to fill the gaps in the research and obtain a better 
understanding of the hazards and risks they encounter.
    This study consists of a one-time 10-minute survey targeted to 
credentialed ABA workers. Survey respondents will include individuals 
currently credentialed by the Behavior Analysis Certification Board. 
This includes registered behavior technicians, board certified 
assistant behavior analysts, board certified behavior analysts, and 
board-certified behavior analysts--doctoral. The survey consists of 
questions related to demographics, organizational safety climate, 
injuries, safety training, and burnout. A brief message and a link to 
complete the online survey will be sent by email. Based on previous 
research with internet surveys, we anticipate an approximate response 
rate of 10%. The etiologic approach will provide data to assess 
important characteristics of the population; guide control measures; 
serve as a quantitative basis to define objectives and specific 
priorities; and inform the designing, planning, and evaluation of 
future interventions.
    CDC requests OMB approval for an estimated 4,000 annual burden 
hours. There are no costs to respondents other than their time to 
participate.

                                        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)
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Board Certified Behavior Analysts    Survey.....................           8,640               1           10/60
 (BCBA, BCBA-D, and BCaBA).
Registered Behavior Technicians      Survey.....................          15,360               1           10/60
 (RBT).
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[[Page 36507]]

Jeffrey M. Zirger,
Lead, Information Collection Review Office, Office of Scientific 
Integrity, Office of Science, Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention.
[FR Doc. 2022-13091 Filed 6-16-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P