Notice2024-08596
Proposed Data Collection Submitted for Public Comment and Recommendations
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
April 23, 2024
Issuing agencies
Health and Human Services DepartmentCenters for Disease Control and Prevention
Abstract
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as part of its continuing effort to reduce public burden and maximize the utility of government information, invites the general public and other Federal agencies the opportunity to comment on a proposed information collection, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. This notice invites comment on a proposed information collection project titled Direct Reading Methodologies, Sensors, and Robotics Technology Assessment in Lab/Simulator-based Settings. The proposed data collection will allow NIOSH to assess the safety and health considerations of these rapidly changing direct reading methods, sensor, and robotics technologies.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 89 Issue 79 (Tuesday, April 23, 2024)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 79 (Tuesday, April 23, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 30372-30374]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2024-08596]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
[60Day-24-24ER; Docket No. CDC-2024-0029]
Proposed Data Collection Submitted for Public Comment and
Recommendations
AGENCY: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Department of
Health and Human Services (HHS).
ACTION: Notice with comment period.
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SUMMARY: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as part
of its continuing effort to reduce public burden and maximize the
utility of government information, invites the general public and other
Federal agencies the opportunity to comment on a proposed information
collection, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. This
notice invites comment on a proposed information collection project
titled Direct Reading Methodologies, Sensors, and Robotics Technology
Assessment in Lab/Simulator-based Settings. The proposed data
collection will allow NIOSH to assess the safety and health
considerations of these rapidly changing direct reading methods,
sensor, and robotics technologies.
DATES: CDC must receive written comments on or before June 24, 2024.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by Docket No. CDC-2024-
0029 by either of the following methods:
<bullet> Federal eRulemaking Portal: <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">www.regulations.gov</a>. Follow
the instructions for submitting comments.
<bullet> Mail: Jeffrey M. Zirger, Information Collection Review
Office, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road
NE, MS H21-8, Atlanta, Georgia 30329.
Instructions: All submissions received must include the agency name
and Docket Number. CDC will post, without change, all relevant comments
to <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">www.regulations.gov</a>.
Please note: Submit all comments through the Federal eRulemaking
portal (<a href="http://www.regulations.gov">www.regulations.gov</a>) or by U.S. mail to the address listed
above.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: To request more information on the
proposed project or to obtain a copy of the information collection plan
and instruments, contact Jeffrey M. Zirger, Information Collection
Review Office, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton
Road NE, MS H21-8, Atlanta, Georgia 30329; Telephone: 404-639-7570;
Email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#b0dfddd2f0d3d4d39ed7dfc6"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="2a4547486a494e49044d455c">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995
(PRA) (44 U.S.C. 3501-3520), Federal agencies must obtain approval from
the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for each collection of
information they conduct or sponsor. In addition, the PRA also requires
Federal agencies to provide a 60-day notice in the Federal Register
concerning each proposed collection of information, including each new
proposed collection, each proposed extension of existing collection of
information, and each reinstatement of previously approved information
collection before submitting the collection to the OMB for approval. To
comply with this requirement, we are publishing this notice of a
proposed data collection as described below.
The OMB is particularly interested in comments that will help:
1. 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;
2. Evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of
the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the
methodology and assumptions used;
3. Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to
be collected;
4. 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
submissions of responses; and
5. Assess information collection costs.
Proposed Project
Direct Reading, Sensor, and Robotics Technology Assessment in Lab/
Simulator-based Settings--New--National Institute for Occupational
Safety and Health (NIOSH), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC).
Background and Brief Description
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National
Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), is requesting
approval of a new Generic information collection for a period of three
years under the project titled, Direct Reading Methodologies, Sensor
Technologies, and Robotics Technology Assessment in Lab/Simulator-based
Settings. NIOSH is a Federal institute that operates within the CDC
specifically dedicated to generating new knowledge in the field of
occupational safety and health and responsible for transferring that
knowledge into practice for the betterment of workers. Given NIOSH's
mission to develop new knowledge, the Institute is uniquely positioned
to evaluate potential benefits and risks relative to occupational
safety and health issues of the 21st century workplace, work, and
workforce--also discussed as the Future of Work (FOW). Areas requiring
detailed attention and advancement include research and development in
artificial intelligence, robotics, and sensor technologies. NIOSH has
established alliances and partnerships with other Federal agencies and
external partners to collaborate and share technical knowledge to
improve awareness around workplace hazards and appropriate safeguards
as it relates to technology. Consequently, NIOSH created two Centers
charged with leading and coordinating these FOW efforts, with a focus
on technology assessment and integration in the workplace that revolves
around emerging recommendations and standards in advancing automation.
First, in 2014, the NIOSH Center for Direct Reading and Sensor
Technologies (CDRST) was established to research and develop
recommendations on the use of 21st century technologies in occupational
safety and health. Both direct-reading methodologies and sensors are
used to detect and monitor hazardous conditions, to assess and document
intervention strategies, and especially to immediately trigger alarms
in the event of unsafe conditions. Examples of direct reading and
sensor technologies include real-time personal monitoring, wearable
monitors, and exoskeletons including wearable robots.
Second, in 2017, NIOSH established the Center for Occupational
Robotics Research (CORR) to study the nature of robots in the
workplace, conduct workplace interventions to prevent robot-related
worker injuries, and develop guidance for safe interactions between
humans and robots. There are several common types of robots used in
occupational environments--traditional industrial robots; professional
or service robots; collaborative robots; and mobile
[[Page 30373]]
robots (e.g., drones and powered exoskeletons). In most cases, NIOSH
laboratories including virtual reality (VR) facilities, are used to
conduct this research in a safe and controlled environment. Within
these studies, human factors, safety engineering, and test strategies
are utilized to provide feedback about the utility of various robotics
technology in the workplace to inform design, as well as possible
standards.
Direct reading methodologies, sensor technologies, and robotics
technology play important roles in advancing automation to keep many
workers within various industries safe while performing their
professional duties but rapidly evolve and change in scope and use.
NIOSH requests a Generic information collection package for assessing
the safety and health considerations of these rapidly changing direct
reading methods, sensor, and robotics technologies.
Different types of data will be collected around these technologies
including: (1) body function assessments to identify the validity and
reliability of direct reading, sensor, and robotic technologies; (2)
physiological assessments to identify the impact of direct reading,
sensor, and robotic technologies on worker outputs; (3) perceived
knowledge, attitudes, skills, and other personal attributes to assess
risks associated with the use and integration of direct reading,
sensor, and robotics technologies among workers; and (4) barriers that
workers face while using or interacting with direct reading
methodologies, sensor technologies, and robotic technologies to prevent
unintended safety and health consequences--including adoption and
maintenance challenges. Collectively, this information will be used to
inform research, development, and integration recommendations to
advance the nation's FOW needs. These data collection efforts will most
often occur in controlled laboratory space, including virtual reality
space that simulates these technologies. In some cases (e.g., survey or
follow-up interview administration) data collection may occur
electronically.
Respondents are expected to be reflective of the full spectrum of
the U.S. workforce and from industries that rely heavily on direct
reading methodologies, sensor technologies, and robotics technologies
to protect workers (e.g., public safety and emergency response,
manufacturing, retail and trade, construction, mining, and oil and
gas). Expected respondents include any worker who has experience with,
is required to use, or willing to use and provide feedback on any sort
of direct reading method, sensor, or robotics technology in the
workplace--these could be wearable or non-wearable. Common job roles
that wear or interact with such technology include construction
workers, manufacturing workers, oil gas and extraction workers,
mineworkers, retail workers, maintenance workers, manufacturing
workers, fire chiefs/firefighters, law enforcement officers, and any
industrial hygiene or occupational safety and health professional who
oversees the integration and use of new technologies in the workplace.
Recruitment for laboratory studies includes individuals from the
general working population that represent high-hazard industries (e.g.,
construction, manufacturing). These individuals are also all adults
between the ages of 18 and 65 years.
CDC requests OMB approval for an estimated 205,002 total burden
hours with an estimated annual burden of 68,334 hours. There is 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 Total burden
respondents respondent (in hours) (in hours)
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Members of the general public who represent a Informed Consent....................... 4,000 1 5/60 334
variety of industrial sectors \1\.
Pre-Screening Health Questionnaire: 4,000 2 15/60 2,000
Standardized form with decision logic
allowing some questions to be omitted.
Demographics Questionnaire: 4,000 1 15/60 1,000
Standardized form with decision logic
allowing some questions to be omitted.
Job Survey: Occupational tasks, 4,000 1 15/60 1,000
postures used, duration of exposure,
etc.
Pre- and Post-Assessments: Determine 4,000 2 15/60 2,000
changes in knowledge, skills, and
abilities as it related to efficacy,
confidence, and perceived competence
in technology assessment/intervention
(this could be strictly quantitative
or semi-structured).
Anthropometric Measurements: Calipers/ 4,000 12 5/60 4,000
digital measuring of facial and body
dimensions with and without gear
(e.g., chest depth; foot breadth with
and without proper personal protective
equipment) to assess functional
integration of wearables and other
sensors.
[[Page 30374]]
Physiological Measurements: 4,000 4 60/60 16,000
Measurements recorded using chest worn
heart rate monitor strap, blood
pressure cuff/strap, COSMED Kb5 or
similar, SQ2020-1F8 temperature
logger, TOSCA 500 pulse oximeter,
Koken breathing waveform recording
mask, MOXY muscle oxygenation strap
sensor, neurophysiological measures
including Electroencephalography
(EEG), and Functional near-infrared
spectroscopy (fNIRS), etc.
Perceived Rate of Exertion: using 3,000 12 5/60 3,000
validated perceived exertion scales
(e.g., Borg Ratings).
Body Function Assessments: Measurements 3,000 6 30/60 9,000
taken (e.g., on the low back, neck,
shoulder, arm, etc.) to conduct
strength testing, range of motion
testing, reference or maximum
voluntary exertions, endurance testing
with different direct reading,
wearable sensor, and robotics
technologies.
Motion Measurement Cameras: Camera with 2,000 12 15/60 6,000
motion amplification technology (e.g.,
Iris M, Moasure One, etc.) that can
measure deflection, displacement,
movement, and vibration not visible to
the human eye using biomechanical
markers for motion capture.
Perceived Usability Assessments: Close- 4,000 6 10/60 4,000
and open-ended questions to determine
system usability including usability
scales, mental workload, body part
discomfort, and contact stress
experiences of new direct reading,
sensor, and robotics technologies (lab-
and virtual reality-based).
Self-Perception Surveys and other 4,000 6 10/60 4,000
Structured Questions: Perceived
comfort level with technology,
perceived safety and trust level with
technology, perceived fatigue while
interacting with technology, etc.
Biomechanics measurements: Force plate, 2,000 4 30/60 4,000
strain gauges, stopwatch,
accelerometers (including
dataloggers), electromyography sensors
human/equipment interaction forces,
whole-body motion, Electromyography
(EMG) for muscle activity, Near-
infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) for
muscle oxygenation, etc.
Task Performance Measures: Measures 2,000 12 15/60 6,000
recorded using various virtual reality
systems (e.g., Vive, Meta quest) and
components (e.g., controllers) that
quantify the subjects' performance
such as time to complete, errors,
movement path, and omissions.
Eye Tracking Measures: Recorded using 2,000 12 15/60 6,000
various virtual reality glasses (e.g.,
Ergoneers) to assess eyes-off-task
time and recognition in response to
simulated environments designed to
assess integration of new robotic
technologies and design set-up.
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....................................... .............. .............. .............. 68,334
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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. 2024-08596 Filed 4-22-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P
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