[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 11 (Thursday, January 16, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 2369-2373]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-1030]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
[Announcement 713]
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health; Fatality
Surveillance and Field Investigations at the State Level Using the
NIOSH Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation Model
Introduction
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announces the
availability of fiscal year (FY) 1997 funds for cooperative agreements
to
[[Page 2370]]
build State capacity for conducting traumatic occupational fatality
surveillance, investigation, and intervention activities through the
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Fatality
Assessment and Control Evaluation (FACE) Model.
CDC is committed to achieving the health promotion and disease
prevention objectives of Healthy People 2000, a national activity to
reduce morbidity and mortality and improve the quality of life. This
announcement is related to the priority areas of Occupational Safety
and Health, and Surveillance and Data Systems. (To order a copy of
Healthy People 2000, see the section Where To Obtain Additional
Information.)
Authority
This program is authorized under section 20(a) of the Occupational
Safety and Health Act of 1970 (29 U.S.C. 669(a)) and sections 301 (42
U.S.C. 241) and 317 (42 U.S.C. 247b) of the Public Health Service Act,
as amended.
Smoke-Free Workplace
CDC strongly encourages all grant recipients to provide a smoke-
free workplace and to promote the nonuse of all tobacco products, and
Public Law 103-227, the Pro-Children Act of 1994, prohibits smoking in
certain facilities that receive Federal funds in which education,
library, day care, health care, and early childhood development
services are provided to children.
Eligible Applicants
Eligible applicants are State Departments of Health, Departments of
Labor, Departments of Industry, etc., located within any State or
territory of the United States. Program activities, however, may not be
carried out by departmental divisions that are responsible for
enforcement of occupational safety and health standards. Awards will be
limited to those organizations that can exercise public health
authority for intervention into occupational safety and health
problems. Only one application per State will be accepted under this
announcement.
Availability of Funds
Approximately $315,615 will be available in FY 1997 to fund three
to four awards. It is expected that the awards will range from $60,000
to $100,000 with an average award of $80,000. Individual awards may
vary by State, and will be based upon the scope and nature of traumatic
occupational fatalities documented by the respondent, and upon proposed
personnel, administrative, and associated costs. The awards will be
made on or about May 30, 1997, with 12-month budget periods within
project periods of up to 5 years. Funding estimates may vary and are
subject to change.
Continuation awards within the project period will be determined on
the basis of satisfactory progress and the availability of funds.
Background
Traumatic occupational fatalities represent a public health problem
of significant proportion. Based on data from the National Traumatic
Occupational Fatalities (NTOF) surveillance system, nearly 6500 workers
die each year in the U.S. from traumatic injuries sustained in the
workplace. The four highest risk industries for fatal injury are:
mining, construction, transportation/communication/public utilities,
and agriculture/ forestry/fishing. Each of these industrial sectors has
a traumatic fatality rate that is at least twice the overall civilian
workforce rate of 7.0 deaths per 100,000 workers. The leading causes of
death for all industries are motor vehicles, machinery, homicide,
falls, and electrocutions. These categories account for nearly 60
percent of the occupational fatalities each year. In order to
adequately develop and implement intervention strategies aimed at
reducing fatal injuries in the workplace, more specific data pertaining
to the interaction of the worker, the work environment, and work
processes are needed.
Purpose
The purpose of funding these cooperative agreements is to expand
the State-based FACE project and significantly strengthen the
occupational public health infrastructure. This will be accomplished by
integrating resources for occupational safety and health research and
public health prevention programs at the State and local levels. The
ultimate goal of the project is to reduce traumatic occupational
fatalities within the States.
Over the past eight years, State-level personnel have shown that
the NIOSH FACE model for investigation of occupational fatalities can
be successfully implemented in the States. The most immediate products
of the State-level FACE programs have been accurate and timely
surveillance systems for detecting traumatic occupational fatalities
occurring within the State, fatality investigations identifying causal
factors, and recommendations for prevention strategies. This program
will permit awardees to efficiently integrate resources for prevention
of occupational fatalities at the State and local level. Additionally,
States will be encouraged to target occupational traumatic injury
research and prevention programs based on specific State priority
areas. FACE data will be shared with all award recipients.
The specific objectives for this cooperative agreement are as
follows:
1. Develop a timely, comprehensive, multiple-source State-level
surveillance system for identifying and recording basic epidemiologic
data on all traumatic occupational fatalities occurring within the
State.
2. Conduct on-site investigations of specific traumatic
occupational fatalities using the NIOSH FACE investigative model.
3. Through case investigations, identify factors common to selected
types of traumatic occupational fatalities leading to development and
prioritization of prevention strategies.
4. Develop and disseminate prevention recommendations to reduce the
risk of fatal occupational injuries within the State.
5. Develop and implement prevention strategies and projects for
reducing State incidence of traumatic occupational injuries and
fatalities.
Program Requirements
In conducting activities to achieve the purpose of this program,
the recipient will be responsible for the activities under A.
(Recipient Activities), and CDC/NIOSH will be responsible for the
activities under B. (CDC/NIOSH Activities):
A. Recipient Activities
1. Develop a comprehensive multiple-source, State-level
surveillance system for prompt identification and reporting of
epidemiologic data on all traumatic occupational fatalities occurring
in the State.
2. Conduct in-depth site investigations of targeted occupational
fatalities as determined by NIOSH. Currently, falls from elevations and
machinery-related incidents are targeted fatality types. These are
among the leading causes of work-place fatalities, as identified by
national surveillance systems; however, they may change over the term
of the agreement. Greatest emphasis must be placed on the determined
targets; however, States may choose, in cooperation with NIOSH, to
conduct in-depth investigations of other fatality types identified.
[[Page 2371]]
3. In specified format, develop and submit to NIOSH a narrative
report of each in-depth fatality investigation which describes the
fatal incident and includes recommendations for preventing future
similar occurrences.
4. Submit first reports of fatalities, investigative narrative
reports, and supplementary investigative data electronically to NIOSH
through CDC's WONDER/PC system.
5. Evaluate surveillance data and investigative findings to
identify specific worker populations to which prevention programs
should be addressed. \1\
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\1\ A Framework for Assessing the Effectiveness of Disease and
Injury Prevention. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR),
March 27, 1992/Vol.41/Jn. The MMWR can be accessed through World-
Wide Web (http://www.cdc.gov/epo/mmwr/mmwr.html).
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6. Identify entities such as employers, unions, and trade
associations that can effect change in the workplace.
7. Communicate recommended preventions to those who can affect
change in the workplace and to those at risk through targeted
dissemination.
8. Prepare and submit periodic status reports of activities in
designated format and an annual report that summarizes the activities
and progress made by the State toward meeting the objectives for the
State FACE program.
9. Participate in annual NIOSH-conducted FACE project workshop/
conference in Morgantown, West Virginia, or other selected site.
B. CDC/NIOSH Activities
1. Provide formats for data reporting forms, coding formats,
computer software, and State personnel training for electronic
transmission of FACE surveillance and investigative data to the NIOSH
data base.
2. Provide assistance to awardee staff in establishing traumatic
occupational fatality notification networks.
3. Provide initial training in procedures and subsequent technical
assistance for conducting on-site fatality investigations using the
FACE investigative methodology (including the use of FACE investigative
data collection instruments).
4. Provide assistance in identifying sentinel events resulting from
industrial applications of new and emerging technologies.
5. Provide technical assistance in the dissemination of summary
reports and other published findings to State and local health and
labor officials, voluntary health groups, workers, unions, employers
and professional organizations.
6. Provide technical assistance in identifying and evaluating
effective intervention strategies.
7. CDC will provide funds to purchase one IBM-compatible, Pentium-
based personal computer, printer, telecommunications equipment, and
needed software for use on appropriate activities related to this
cooperative agreement, if necessary.
Technical Reporting Requirements
An original and two copies of a progress and Financial Status
Report (FSR) are required no later than 90 days after the end of each
budget period. A final progress report and FSR are due no later than 90
days after the end of the project period. Monthly electronically
transmitted CDC WONDER/PC FACE status reports are due to NIOSH no later
than the 10th of the following month. All other reports are submitted
to the Grants Management Branch, CDC.
Application
1. Preapplication Letter of Intent
Although not a prerequisite of application, a non-binding letter-
of-intent to apply is requested from potential applicants. The letter
should be submitted to the Grants Management Branch, CDC. (See
``Application Submission and Deadline'' Section for the address.) It
should be postmarked no later than February 15, 1997. The letter should
identify the announcement number, name of principal investigator, and
specify the priority area to be addressed by the proposed project. The
letter-of-intent does not influence review or funding decisions, but it
will enable CDC to plan the review more efficiently and will ensure
that each applicant receives timely and relevant information prior to
application submission.
2. Application Content
A. Abstract
A one-page, singled-spaced, typed abstract must be submitted with
the application. The heading should include the title of grant program,
project title, organization, name and address, project director and
telephone number. This abstract should be included in the APPLICATION
CONTENT Section of the application, under INTRODUCTION. This abstract
is not in lieu of (but in addition to) the INTRODUCTION Section.
B. Narrative
The narrative of the application should:
1. Document the applicant's understanding of the objectives of the
project and the proposed agreement.
2. Describe the scope and nature of occupational fatalities in the
applicant's State.
3. Describe the applicant's ability to provide qualified and
appropriate staff and other resources necessary to implement the
project. This may be supported by documentation of the applicant's
experience in conducting similar research efforts, including
surveillance activities.
4. Describe an implementation plan and provide a proposed schedule
for accomplishing each of the activities to be carried out in this
project including the implementation of the surveillance, field
investigations, dissemination, and prevention components, and a method
for evaluating the accomplishments.
5. Provide the names, qualifications, and time allocations of the
principal investigator, professional staff to be assigned to this
project; the support staff available for performance of this project;
and the facilities, space, and equipment available for performance of
this project.
6. Provide a detailed description of the proposed first year
activities, as well as a brief description of future year activities.
7. Not exceed 20 double-spaced typewritten pages exclusive of
budget and biographical information and addenda. Information that
should be part of the narrative will not be accepted if placed in the
appendices.
C. Budget
Completed budget forms should be placed at the beginning of the
application. The applicant should provide a detailed budget, with
accompanying justification of all operating expenses, that is
consistent with the stated objectives and planned activities of the
project. CDC may not approve or fund all proposed activities.
Applicants should be precise about the program purpose of each budget
item, providing anticipated costs for personnel, travel (including
travel expenses for annual NIOSH-conducted FACE project workshop/
conference in Morgantown, West Virginia, or other selected site),
communications, postage, equipment (see Item 7 under CDC/NIOSH
Activities), supplies, etc., and all sources of funds to meet those
needs.
For contracts described within the application budget, if known,
applicants should name the contractor; describe the service(s) to be
performed; provide an itemized breakdown and justification for the
estimated costs of the contract; the kinds of organizations or parties
to be selected; the period of performance; and the method of selection.
Budget
[[Page 2372]]
narrative pages showing, in detail, how funds in each object class will
be spent should be placed directly behind form 424A. Do not put these
pages in the body of the application.
The application pages must be clearly numbered, and a complete
index to the application and its appendices must be included. Please
begin each section of the application on a new page. The original and
each copy of the application set must be submitted UNSTAPLED and
UNBOUND. All material must be typewritten (observing same type size
throughout the application), double spaced on 8\1/2\'' by 11'' paper
with at least 1'' margins, heading and footers, and printed on one side
only. All graphics, maps, overlays, etc., should be in black and white
and meet the above criteria.
3. Application Submission and Deadline
The original and two copies of the application PHS Form 5161-1 (OMB
Number 0937-0189) must be submitted to Ron Van Duyne, Grants Management
Officer, Grants Management Branch, Procurement and Grants Office,
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Mailstop E-13, 255
East Paces Ferry Road, NE., Room 300, Atlanta, GA 30305, on or before
March 21, 1997.
Deadline: Applications will be considered as meeting the deadline
if they are either:
(a) Received on or before the deadline date, or
(b) Sent on or before the deadline date and received in time for
submission to the objective review group. (The applicants must request
a legibly dated U.S. Postal Service postmark or obtain a legibly dated
receipt from a commercial carrier or the U.S. Postal Service. Private
metered postmarks will not be acceptable as proof of timely mailing.)
Late Applications: Applications that do not meet the criteria in
1.(a) or 1.(b) above are considered late applications. Late
applications will not be considered and will be returned to the
applicants.
Evaluation Criteria
Evaluation of the applications will be based on the following
criteria:
1. Ability to communicate the scope and nature of traumatic
occupational fatalities in the State as evidenced by the quality of the
narrative and documented research and experience. (10%)
2. The qualifications and time commitment of proposed project staff
(principal investigator, field investigator (if already identified),
administrative and technical support staff). (30%--Total)
a. The existence of or potential for acquiring expertise in
investigation of occupational fatalities. There should be a full-time
field investigator dedicated to the project. (15%)
b. The existence of or potential for acquiring safety expertise
relevant to formulation of injury prevention strategies. (15%)
3. Applicant's collaborative relationships with various relevant
State or territorial agencies or organizations in addressing the
problem of traumatic occupational fatality surveillance, investigation,
and intervention.(30%--Total)
a. The existence of or potential for establishment of a multiple-
source network for identification and reporting of traumatic
occupational fatalities. (15%)
b. The existence of or potential for establishment of relationships
with public safety departments, safety compliance agencies, and other
entities that can provide background and supplementary data relating to
specific fatality cases. (15%)
4. Demonstrated ability to communicate recommended preventions to
those at risk through targeted dissemination. (25%)
5. Additional personnel/facilities/equipment already in place that
can contribute to successful implementation of the project. (5%)
6. Human Subjects (Not Scored)
Whether or not exempt from the DHHS regulations, are procedures
adequate for protection of human subjects? Recommendations on the
adequacy of protections include: (1) protections appear adequate, and
there are no comments to make or concerns to raise, (2) protections
appear adequate, but there are comments regarding the protocol, (3)
protections appear inadequate and the Objective Review Group has
concerns related to human subjects, or (4) disapproval of the
application is recommended because the research risks are sufficiently
serious and protection against the risks are inadequate as to make the
entire application unacceptable.
7. Budget Justification (Not Scored)
The budget will be evaluated to the extent that it is reasonable,
clearly justified, and consistent with the intended use of funds.
Executive Order 12372 Review
Applications are subject to the Intergovernmental Review of Federal
Programs as governed by Executive Order (E.O.) 12372. E.O. 12372 sets
up a system for State and local government review of proposed Federal
assistance applications. Applicants should contact their State Single
Point of Contact (SPOC) as early as possible to alert them to the
prospective applications and receive any necessary instructions on the
State process. For proposed projects serving more than one State, the
applicant is advised to contact the SPOC for each affected State. A
current list of SPOCs is included in the application kit.
If SPOCs have any State process recommendations on applications
submitted to CDC, they should forward them to Ron Van Duyne, Grants
Management Officer, Grants Management Branch, Procurement and Grants
Office, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Room 300, 255
East Paces Ferry Road, NE., Atlanta, GA 30305, no later than 60 days
after the application deadline date. The granting agency does not
guarantee to ``accommodate or explain'' State recommendations it
receives after that date.
Public Health System Reporting Requirements
This program is not subject to the Public Health System Reporting
Requirements.
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number
The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance for this program is
93.283.
Other Requirements
Paperwork Reduction Act
Projects funded through a cooperative agreement that involve
collection of information from ten or more individuals will be subject
to review and approval by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB)
under the Paperwork Reduction Act.
Human Subjects
If the proposed project involves research on human subjects, the
applicant must comply with the Department of Health and Human Services
Regulation, 45 CFR Part 46, regarding the protection of human subjects.
Assurance must be provided to demonstrate that the project will be
subject to initial and continuing review by an appropriate
institutional review committee. The applicant will be responsible for
providing assurance in accordance with the appropriate guidelines
provided in the application kit.
Where to Obtain Additional Information
A complete program description and information on application
procedures are contained in the application
[[Page 2373]]
package. Business management technical assistance may be obtained from
Victoria Sepe, Grants Management Specialist, Grants Management
Branch, Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC), Mailstop E-13, Room 321, 255 East Paces Ferry Road,
NE., Atlanta, GA, 30305, telephone (404) 842-6804, Internet:
vxw1@opspgo1.em.cdc.gov.
Programmatic technical assistance may be obtained from Ted A.
Pettit, State FACE Project Officer, Chief, Trauma Investigations
Section, Surveillance and Field Investigations Branch, Division of
Safety Research, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health,
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Mailstop 180P, 1095
Willowdale Road, Morgantown, WV, 26505-2888, telephone (304) 285-5972,
Internet: tap3@niosr1.em.cdc.gov or Dr. Nancy Stout, Acting Chief,
Surveillance and Field Investigations Branch (at the same address),
telephone (304) 285-5916.
Please refer to Announcement Number 713 when requesting information
and submitting an application.
Potential applicants may obtain a copy of Healthy People 2000 (Full
Report, Stock Number 017-001-00474-0) or Healthy People 2000 (Summary
Report, Stock Number 017-001-00473-1) referenced in the INTRODUCTION
through the Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office,
Washington, DC 20402-9325, telephone (202) 512-1800.
Dated: January 9, 1997.
Diane D. Porter,
Acting Director, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health,
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
[FR Doc. 97-1030 Filed 1-15-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-19-P
