[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 123 (Tuesday, June 28, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 38408-38409]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-13723]



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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

[Docket Number CDC-2022-0078, NIOSH-345-A]


Draft--American Indian and Alaska Native Worker Safety and Health 
Strategic Plan

AGENCY: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

ACTION: Request for information and comment.

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SUMMARY: The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health 
(NIOSH) in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an 
Operating Division of the Department of Health and Human Services 
(HHS), announces the availability of a draft strategic plan for public 
comment entitled Revised Draft of American Indian and Alaska Native 
Worker Safety and Health Strategic Plan (Revised Draft Strategic Plan).

DATES: Electronic or written comments must be received by August 29, 
2022.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by CDC-2022-0078 and 
docket number NIOSH-345-A, by either of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     Mail: National Institute for Occupational Safety and 
Health, NIOSH Docket Office, 1090 Tusculum Avenue, MS C-34, Cincinnati, 
Ohio 45226-1998.
    Instructions: All information received in response to this notice 
must include the agency name and docket number [CDC-2022-0078; NIOSH-
345-A]. Comments will be posted on https://www.regulations.gov. 
Therefore, do not include any information in your comment or supporting 
materials that you consider confidential or inappropriate for public 
disclosure. CDC will review all submissions and may choose to redact, 
or withhold, submissions containing private or proprietary information 
such as Social Security numbers, medical information, inappropriate 
language, or duplicate/near duplicate examples of a mass-mail campaign. 
Do not submit comments by email. CDC does not accept comments by email. 
For access to the docket to read background documents or comments 
received, go to https://www.regulations.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Elizabeth Dalsey, NIOSH Western States 
Division, P.O. Box 25226, Denver, Colorado 80225-0226; Telephone: 
(303)236-5955; Email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Background: On November 30, 2021, the National Institute for 
Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), within the Centers for Disease 
Control and Prevention (CDC), published a notice of meeting and request 
for testimony in the Federal Register [Federal Register Number 2021-
26016] [86 FR 67949]. The Federal Register notice announced a CDC 
Tribal Consultation Session that was held on February 3, 2022. CDC/
NIOSH hosted American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) federally 
recognized tribes for a virtual tribal consultation session on the 
NIOSH draft strategic plan entitled American Indian and Alaska Native 
Worker Safety and Health Strategic Plan. NIOSH accepted written tribal 
testimony until February 24, 2022. The consultation session was held in 
accordance with Presidential Executive Order No. 13175, November 6, 
2000, and the Presidential Memorandum of November 5, 2009, and 
September 23, 2004, Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal 
Government, and CDC/ATSDR's Tribal Consultation Policy which can be 
found at https://www.cdc.gov/tribal/documents/consultation/policy475.pdf. NIOSH carefully considered the oral comments from the 
Tribal Consultation Session and the written comments submitted to the 
Tribal Consultation Session docket, https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docket/archive/docket345/default.html. Based on the pertinent comments 
received, NIOSH has developed the Revised Draft Strategic Plan on which 
public comment is now being requested.
    NIOSH guided the development of this strategic plan and hopes the 
strategic plan will serve as a blueprint to enhance the health, safety, 
and well-being of AI/AN workers across the United States. NIOSH, 
tribes, tribal-serving organizations, and other interested partners can 
work collaboratively to accomplish the objectives outlined in the 
strategic plan.
    AI/AN workers account for 2.7 million or 1.8% of the total U.S. 
workforce.\1\ These workers are employed in a wide variety of 
occupations, with the highest numbers in office and administrative 
support, sales and related occupations, management, transportation, and 
material moving, and food preparation and serving. Many AI/AN workers 
are also employed through tribal enterprises such as medical care, 
housing, manufactured products, food production, livestock, and 
tourism. Tribes are often the largest employer on tribal lands.
    National data on occupational injuries, illnesses, and fatalities 
among AI/AN workers are scarce, and there is limited research on worker 
safety, health, and well-being in tribal communities. Given the lack of 
data, the true numbers are likely much higher.
    NIOSH requests input on this strategic plan for research and 
outreach to enhance worker safety and health in tribal communities.
    Information Needs: Additional data and information are needed to 
ensure the Revised Draft Strategic Plan addresses research and outreach 
that is most critical for understanding and reducing work-related 
injuries, illnesses, and fatalities among AI/AN workers. NIOSH seeks 
comments on the following:
    1. Does the Revised Draft Strategic Plan address the most pressing 
occupational safety and health concerns for the AI/AN workforce? If 
not, what would you suggest be included or removed, and why? Please 
provide details on other health concerns considered pressing (e.g., 
type, prevalence, economic burden), including the reasoning for the 
suggestion that the health and safety concern be included or excluded 
from the Revised Draft Strategic Plan.
    2. What recommendations do you have for NIOSH for partnering with 
tribal nations to conduct the activities described in this plan? Please 
explain the basis for your suggestion(s), such as past experiences, 
subject matter expertise, or collaborations on other efforts.
    3. What other organizations may have an interest in collaborating 
with NIOSH to improve occupational safety and health for AI/AN workers? 
Please explain the basis of your suggestion(s) such as past 
experiences, subject matter expertise, or a shared mission or vision.
    4. How might NIOSH improve communication with tribal nations 
regarding worker safety and health issues? Please include examples of 
the type of communication material and channel.
    5. What support may be needed to address occupational safety and 
health concerns for the AI/AN workforce? Please provide details 
explaining how

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the support will benefit the AI/AN workforce.

John J. Howard,
Director, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Centers 
for Disease Control and Prevention.
[FR Doc. 2022-13723 Filed 6-27-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P