[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 33 (Friday, February 16, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 12348-12350]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-03239]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

[30Day-24-0138]


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 ``Pulmonary Function Testing Course Approval 
Program'' 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 October 
30, 2023 to obtain comments from the public and affected 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:

[[Page 12349]]

    (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

    Pulmonary Function Testing Course Approval Program. (OMB Control 
No. 0920-0138, Exp. 3/31/2024)--Extension--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. To carry out its responsibility, 
NIOSH maintains a Pulmonary Function Testing 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. NIOSH is requesting a three-year approval.
    The application form and added materials, including an agenda, 
curriculum vitae, and course materials are reviewed by NIOSH to 
determine if the applicant has developed a program which adheres to the 
criteria required in the Standard. Following approval, any subsequent 
changes to the course are submitted by course sponsors via letter or 
email and reviewed by NIOSH staff 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 it meets the criteria in the Standard 
and whether technicians will be adequately trained as mandated under 
the Standard.
    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. Application form contains no changes. The 
estimated annual burden to respondents is 178 hours. There will be no 
cost 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)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Potential Sponsors....................  Initial Application.....               3               1              10
                                        Annual Report...........              34               1           30/60
                                        Report for Course                     24               1           30/60
                                         Changes.
                                        Renewal Application.....              13               1               6
                                        Refresher Course                       3               1               8
                                         Application.
                                        One-Time Customer                     34               1           30/60
                                         Satisfaction Survey.
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[[Page 12350]]

Jeffrey M. Zirger,
Lead, Information Collection Review Office, Office of Public Health 
Ethics and Regulations, Office of Science, Centers for Disease Control 
and Prevention.
[FR Doc. 2024-03239 Filed 2-15-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P