Notice2023-26080
Agency Forms Undergoing Paperwork Reduction Act Review
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
November 27, 2023
Issuing agencies
Health and Human Services DepartmentCenters for Disease Control and Prevention
Full Text
<html>
<head>
<title>Federal Register, Volume 88 Issue 226 (Monday, November 27, 2023)</title>
</head>
<body><pre>
[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 226 (Monday, November 27, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 82897-82898]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2023-26080]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
[30Day-24-0260]
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 ``Health Hazard Evaluations/Technical
Assistance and Emerging Problems'' 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 August 1, 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:
(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 <a href="http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain">www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain</a>. 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
Health Hazard Evaluations/Technical Assistance and Emerging
Problems (OMB Control No. 0920-0260, Exp. 3/31/2024)--Revision--
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Background and Brief Description
In accordance with its mandates under the Occupational Safety and
Health Act of 1970 and the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977,
NIOSH responds to requests for a Health Hazare Evaluation (HHE) to
identify chemical, biological or physical hazards in workplaces
throughout the United States. Each year, NIOSH receives approximately
250 such requests although that number has been lower in recent years
presumably due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Most HHE requests come from
workplaces in the following industrial sectors: services,
manufacturing, health and social services, transportation, and
construction.
A printed HHE request form is available in English and in Spanish.
The form is also available on the internet and differs from the printed
version only in format and in the fact that it can be submitted
directly from the website. The request form takes an estimated 12
minutes to complete. The form provides the mechanism for employees,
[[Page 82898]]
employers, and other authorized representatives to supply the
information required by the regulations governing the NIOSH HHE program
(42 CFR 85.3-1). NIOSH reviews the HHE request to determine if an on-
site evaluation is needed. The primary purpose of an on-site evaluation
is to help employers and employees identify and eliminate occupational
health hazards. For approximately 25% of the requests received NIOSH
determines an on-site evaluation is needed.
Using previous HHE program experience and data, approximately 73%
of on-site evaluations include employees that are interviewed in an
informal manner to help further define concerns. Interviews may take
approximately 15 minutes per respondent. The interview questions are
specific to each workplace and its suspected diseases and hazards.
However, interviews are based on standard medical practices. In
approximately 37% of on-site evaluations, questionnaires are
distributed or administered by NIOSH staff to employees. Questionnaires
may require approximately 30 minutes to complete. The survey questions
are specific to each workplace, and its suspected diseases and hazards;
however, items in the questionnaires are derived from standardized or
widely used medical and epidemiologic data collection instruments.
Approximately five (6%) of the on-site evaluations involve medical
tests or the collection of biological samples that would require
informed consent. The estimated time to complete the informed consent
process is 30 minutes. If 30 employees are monitored at each of the
five work sites, the burden from this activity is 75 hours.
Approximately 73% of the on-site evaluations involve employee
exposure monitoring in the workplace. Employees participating in on-
site evaluations by wearing a sampling or monitoring device to measure
personal workplace exposures are offered the opportunity to receive
notification of their exposure results. To indicate their preference
and, if interested, provide contact information, employees complete a
contact information post card or form. Completing the contact card or
form may take five minutes or less. The number of employees monitored
for workplace exposures per on-site evaluation is estimated to be 25
per site.
NIOSH distributes interim and final reports of HHEs, excluding
personal identifiers, to the following: requesters, employers, employee
representatives; the Department of Labor (Occupational Safety and
Health Administration or Mine Safety and Health Administration, as
appropriate); state health departments; and, as needed, other state and
federal agencies. NIOSH administers a followback program to assess the
effectiveness of its HHE program in reducing workplace hazards. This
program entails the distribution of followback surveys to employer and
employee representatives at all the workplaces where NIOSH conducted an
on-site evaluation. In a small number of instances, a followback on-
site evaluation may be completed. The first followback survey is sent
shortly after the first visit for an on-site evaluation and takes about
10 minutes to complete. A second followback survey is sent after the
final report is completed and requires about 20 minutes to complete. At
12 months, a third followback survey is sent, which takes about 15
minutes to complete. For requests where NIOSH does not conduct an on-
site evaluation, the requestor receives the first followback survey
after our response letter is sent and a second one 12 months after our
response. The first survey takes about 10 minutes to complete, and the
second survey takes about 15 minutes to complete.
Because of the number of investigations conducted each year, the
need to respond quickly to requests for assistance, the diverse and
unpredictable nature of these investigations, and its followback
program to assess evaluation effectiveness, NIOSH requests a
consolidated clearance for data collections performed within the domain
of its HHE program. The total estimated burden hours are 2267 hours.
There is no cost to respondents other than their time.
Estimated Annualized Burden Hours
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average
Number of Number of burden per
Type of respondents Form name respondents responses per response
respondent (in hours)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Employees and Representatives............ Health Hazard Evaluation 175 1 12/60
Request Form.
Employers \*\............................ Health Hazard Evaluation 75 1 12/60
Request Form.
Employees................................ Health Hazard Evaluation 1,710 1 15/60
Specific Interview Example.
Employees................................ Health Hazard Evaluation 2,900 1 30/60
Specific Questionnaire
Example.
Employees................................ HHE specific Informed 150 1 30/60
Consent Form.
Employees................................ Contact Information Post 1,425 1 5/60
Card.
Employees and Representatives; Employers-- First Followback Survey.... 140 1 10/60
Year 1 (on-site evaluation).
Employees and Representatives; Employers-- Second Followback Survey... 140 1 20/60
Year 1(on-site evaluation).
Employees and Representatives; Employers-- Third Followback Survey.... 140 1 15/60
Year 2 (on-site evaluation).
Employees and Representatives Year 1 First Followback Survey.... 94 1 10/60
(without on-site evaluation).
Employees and Representatives Year 2 Second Followback Survey... 94 1 15/60
(without on-site evaluation).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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. 2023-26080 Filed 11-24-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P
</pre></body>
</html>Indexed from Federal Register on November 27, 2023.
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.