[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 82 (Friday, April 28, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 20994-20997]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-10454]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
[Announcement 528]
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health;
Cooperative Agreement Program for Prevention Center for Occupational
Safety and Health in the Construction Industry
Introduction
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), announces the
availability of fiscal year (FY) 1995 funds for a cooperative agreement
to support a prevention center for occupational safety and health in
the construction industry. The Public Health Service (PHS) is committed
to achieving the health promotion and disease prevention objectives of
Healthy People 2000, a PHS-led national activity to reduce morbidity
and mortality and improve the quality of life. This announcement is
related to the priority area of Occupational Safety and Health. (For
ordering a copy of Healthy People 2000, see the Section Where to Obtain
Additional Information.)
Authority
This program is authorized under Section 20 of the Occupational
Safety and Health Act of 1970 (29 U.S.C. 669). Applicable program
regulations are found in 42 CFR Part 87--National Institute for
Occupational Research and Demonstration Grants.
Smoke-Free Workplace
The PHS strongly encourages all grant recipients to provide a
smoke-free workplace and 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. [[Page 20995]]
Eligible Applicants
Applications may be submitted by public and private non-profit and
for-profit organizations and governments and their agencies. Thus
universities, colleges, research institutions, hospitals, other public
and private organizations, State and local governments or their bona
fide agents, federally recognized Indian tribal governments, Indian
tribes or Indian tribal organizations, and small, minority- andor
women-owned businesses are eligible to apply.
Applicants must have ongoing national activities related to
construction workers and must have established linkages to labor unions
and employers in construction as demonstrated in operating programs.
The applicant organization may subcontract to address certain
``Recipient Activities'' under the Program Requirements section for
which the applicant organization does not have expertise or resources.
Collaboration in submitting a joint application is strongly encouraged
among the different organizations.
Availability of Funds
Approximately $3,300,000 is available in FY 1995 to fund one award.
The award is expected to begin on or about August 1, 1995 for a 12-
month budget period within a project period of up to five years.
Funding estimates may vary and are subject to change.
Continuation awards within the project period will be made on the
basis of satisfactory progress and the availability of funds.
If requested, Federal personnel may be assigned to a project in
lieu of a portion of the financial assistance.
Purpose
The purpose of this cooperative agreement is to support a center
that demonstrates effective surveillance mechanisms and prevention
processes that are efficacious and effective in preventing injuries,
disabilities, and diseases associated with work in the construction
industry. At least one-third to one-half of the overall effort should
be directed at the prevention of work-related musculoskeletal
disorders.
Program Requirements
In the area of prevention, there is specific interest in research
that evaluates the effectiveness of interventions in preventing
construction-related injuries and diseases or reducing their impact.
This research might evaluate different approaches to implementing a
specific intervention strategy. In addition, there is a need to examine
intervention strategies for which evidence of effectiveness is either
sparse or unknown. Interventions chosen for evaluation should have a
significant potential for reduction in morbidity, mortality,
disability, or cost related to construction work. Surveillance is an
integral part of prevention effectiveness studies.
Also of interest is research that more accurately defines the cost
of construction injuries and diseases as well as the cost or prevention
effectiveness of interventions. Cost analysis should be included in the
plans, where appropriate, to evaluate an intervention(s). A more
complete discussion of methodologies for assessing cost analysis is
presented in A Framework for Assessing the Effectiveness of Disease and
Injury Prevention (CDC, Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, March
27, 1992, Volume 41, Number RR-3, pages 5-11). (To receive information
on these reports see the section Where to Obtain Additional
Information.)
In conducting activities to achieve the purposes of this program,
the recipient will be responsible for the activities under A.
(Recipient Activities), and CDC/NIOSH will be responsible for the
activities listed under B. (CDC/NIOSH Activities).
A. Recipient Activities
1. Develop surveillance programs of injuries and diseases (through
analysis of medical claims data, workers' compensation data, etc.)
among the building trades from which priorities for etiologic research
and intervention studies can be determined. Surveillance should be
applied to both health and safety status and to associated risk factors
and must address unionized, non-unionized, and self-employed
construction workers. Particular attention should be given to hazard
identification and exposure assessment methodologies for construction
workers.
2. Develop and conduct studies to determine long-term health,
social and economic consequences of work-related exposures, injuries,
musculoskeletal disorders, and related conditions. Prior to conducting
a full study, assure that feasibility studies are critically evaluated
by an independent review panel with no ties to the awardee. (Methods
for these studies may include existing records systems such as case
registries.) These studies may be integrated with longitudinal studies
of work-related musculoskeletal disorders and should not involve more
than 25 percent of the overall effort.
3. Develop and validate prevention effectiveness techniques in
reducing or eliminating risk factors in the construction industry and
integrating these techniques into continuous improvement and worker
participation strategies within the construction process. (Evaluations
of the effectiveness of interventions that have proven or obvious
efficacy are encouraged.)
4. Provide innovative methods, techniques, and approaches for
improving occupational safety and health in construction.
5. Develop and validate exposure assessment tools effective in
evaluating exposures of construction workers to hazardous chemicals and
substances.
6. Using appropriate exposure assessment methodologies, undertake
projects to quantify the extent and magnitude of exposures of
construction workers to potentially hazardous substances and chemicals
prevalent on construction sites. High priority substances include lead,
diesel fumes, particulates and dusts and other prevalent substances.
7. Develop and validate methods to enhance information
dissemination of hazards, risk abatement and other health information
specific to groups associated with the construction industry. Methods
may include innovative training programs/ methods, educational
materials, user-friendly software and computerized data, workshops and
other relevant methods. Methods should be generalizable to workers in
most trades.
8. Develop and validate innovative intervention programs to reduce
and prevent occupational noise-induced hearing loss among construction
workers. This program may include research to assess barriers to use of
hearing protection; demonstration projects to enhance the use of
appropriate hearing protection; collaborative studies with tool
manufacturers, hearing protection manufacturers, etc.; assessments of
the extent of hearing loss among the construction worker community;
development/implementation of educational programs, etc.
9. Develop and validate methods to assess the overall impact of
lead abatement programs on the health of construction workers.
10. Publish and disseminate findings of studies and projects listed
under Program Requirements to individuals involved or interested in the
construction industry including, but not limited to, construction
workers, labor and management groups, architects, project and design
engineers, researchers, etc. [[Page 20996]]
11. Establish collaborative activities with appropriate
organizations and agencies, and collaborate with CDC/NIOSH in
undertaking surveillance, field, and research investigations in support
of the program requirements.
12. Integrate the prevention program within the operational
framework of the parent organization.
13. Review technical and scientific merits of proposed intramural
projects, including their potential to achieve the stated objectives
and the extent to which the plans are consistent with the purpose of
the program.
14. Evaluate the extent to which the overall theme and objectives
are achieved in regard to progress, efficacy, and effectiveness.
Implement a plan for continuously improving the surveillance process
that is used for evaluating progress. Meet at least quarterly with CDC/
NIOSH to exchange information on activities and collaboration. (These
meetings should include the principal investigators of each study
conducted under this agreement.)
B. CDC/NIOSH Activities
1. Provide technical assistance through site visits and
correspondence in the areas of program development, implementation,
maintenance, and priority-setting.
2. Provide for collaborative efforts for appropriate aspects of the
program as requested by the grantee.
3. Assist in the reporting of project results to the scientific,
public health, labor and industrial communities via presentations,
publications in peer-reviewed and technical journals and newsletters,
and through other forms of communication.
Evaluation Criteria
Applications will be reviewed and evaluated according to the
following criteria:
1. Background and Need (15%)
The extent to which the applicant presents data justifying need for
the program in terms of magnitude of the related injury and disease
problem and identifies suitable target populations. The extent to which
a description of related current and previous experiences show:
a. Performance in achieving the purpose of cooperative agreements
that preceded this announcement.
b. Efficiency of resources and uniqueness of program including the
efficient use of existing and proposed personnel with assurances of a
major time commitment of the project director to the program and the
novelty of the program approach.
c. Training and experience of the program director and staff to
accomplish satisfactorily the proposed program.
2. Goals and Objectives (10%)
The extent to which the applicant has included goals and objectives
that are relevant to the purpose of the proposal and are achievable
during the budget and project periods and the extent to which these are
specific and measurable.
3. Methods (30%)
The extent to which the applicant provides a detailed description
of proposed activities that are likely to achieve each objective and
overall program goals. The extent to which the applicant provides a
reasonable and complete schedule for implementing all activities. The
extent to which roles of each unit, organization, or agency are
described, and coordination and supervision of staff, organizations and
agencies involved in activities are delineated.
4. Evaluation (30%)
The extent to which the proposed evaluation system is detailed and
will document program process, effectiveness, impact, and outcome and,
if applicable, measure surveillance system sensitivity, timeliness,
representativeness, predictive value, and ability to detect the impact
of specific interventions on morbidity, mortality, severity,
disability, and cost of related diseases and injuries. The extent to
which the applicant demonstrates potential data sources for evaluation
purposes, and documents staff availability, expertise, and capacity to
perform the evaluation. The extent to which a feasible plan for
reporting evaluation results and using evaluation information for
programmatic decisions is described.
5. Collaboration (15%)
The extent to which relationships between the program and other
organizations are described. If applicable, the extent to which
collaborative efforts (if any) and roles are clear and appropriate.
6. Budget and Justification (Not Scored)
The extent to which the applicant provides a detailed budget and
narrative justification consistent with stated objectives and planned
program activities.
Executive Order 12372 Review
This program is not subject to review by Executive Order 12372.
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 number is 93.262.
Other Requirements
Paperwork Reduction Act
Projects that involve the collection of information from 10 or more
individuals and funded by this cooperative agreement will be subject to
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
applicants must comply with the Department of Health and Human Services
Regulations, 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.
In addition to other applicable committees, Indian Health Service
(IHS) institutional review committees also must review the project if
any component of IHS will be involved or will support the research. If
any American Indian community is involved, its tribal government must
also approve that portion of the project applicable to it.
The applicants will be responsible for providing assurance in
accordance with the appropriate guidelines and forms provided in the
application kit.
Application Submission and Deadline
The original and two copies of the application PHS Form 5161-1 (OMB
Number 0937-0189) must be submitted to Henry S. Cassell, III, 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 June 26, 1995.
1. Deadline: Applications shall 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
[[Page 20997]] 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 shall not be acceptable as
proof of timely mailing.)
2. Late Applicants: Applications that do not meet the criteria in
1.(a) or 1.(b) above are considered late applications. Late
applications will not be considered in the current competition and will
be returned to the applicants.
Where to Obtain Additional Information
To receive additional written information call (404) 332-4561. You
will be asked to leave your name, address, and telephone number and
will need to refer to Announcement 528. You will be receive a complete
program description, information on application procedures, and
application forms.
If you have questions after reviewing the contents of all the
documents, business management technical assistance may be obtained
from Oppie M. Byrd, Grants Management Specialist, Grants Management
Branch, Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC), 255 East Paces Ferry Road, NE., Room 300, Mailstop E-
13, Atlanta, GA 30305, telephone (404) 842-6546. Programmatic technical
assistance may be obtained from Marie Haring Sweeney, Ph.D., National
Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Division of Surveillance,
Hazard Evaluation and Field Studies, Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC), Mailstop R-13, Robert A. Taft Laboratories, 4676
Columbia Parkway, Cincinnati, OH 45226-1049, telephone (513) 841-4207.
Potential applicants may obtain a copy of Healthy People 2000 (Full
Report, Stock No. 017-001-00474-0) or Healthy People 2000 (Summary
Report, Stock No. 017-001-00473-1) referenced in the INTRODUCTION
through the Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office,
Washington, DC 20402-9325, telephone (202) 512-1800.
Copies of A Framework for Assessing the Effectiveness of Disease
and Injury Prevention (CDC, Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report,
March 27, 1992, Volume 41, Number RR-3, pages 5-11) may be obtained by
calling (404) 488-4334.
Dated: April 21, 1995.
Diane D. Porter,
Acting Director, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health,
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
[FR Doc. 95-10454 Filed 4-27-95; 8:45 am]
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