[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 94 (Friday, May 15, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 27087-27089]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-12935]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
[Program Announcement 98066]
A Model Hearing Conservation Program for Coal Miners; Notice of
Availability of Funds
A. Purpose
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announces the
availability of fiscal year (FY) 1998 funds for a cooperative agreement
program for A Model Hearing Conservation Program for Coal Miners. This
program addresses the ``Healthy People 2000'' priority area of
Occupational Safety and Health.
The purpose of the program is to demonstrate the effectiveness of a
model hearing conservation program (HCP) in the prevention of
occupational noise-induced hearing loss among coal miners.
When the Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969, the predecessor
to the present Federal Mine Health and Safety Act, was enacted, it was
already recognized that the high noise levels generated by mining
machines posed a serious threat to the health of miners. In 1976, NIOSH
published the results of a cross-sectional survey of hearing levels
which confirmed the severity of hearing loss among coal miners. The
study found that over 70 percent of coal miners had a hearing
impairment by the time they retired. In recognition of the extensive
hearing loss among miners, regulations were adopted to limit the
overexposure of miners to harmful noise, and a program of research to
develop engineering controls to reduce the noise levels of mining
equipment was initiated. A recent analysis of a large audiometric data
base on coal miners has revealed that the majority of coal miners are
still losing their hearing. Over 90 percent of the miners who retired
around 1990 had experienced a high frequency hearing loss. This finding
can only be explained by the failure of the mining community to pursue
a systematic plan of intervention over the last 20 years; such a plan
would also have included a mechanism to continuously evaluate the
impact of the intervention activities.
The Mine Safety and Health Administration is addressing this
situation through new rulemaking. The proposed regulations would
require that operators use engineering and administrative controls and
provide audiometric tests when a miner's noise exposure exceeds the
Permissible Exposure Limit. Although these new regulations can have a
positive impact, the elimination of hearing loss as a disease among
coal miners can only be realized through the collaborative efforts of
labor, management, and government in adopting and supporting
comprehensive HCP's.
This program is focused on designing a model HCP for coal miners
which incorporates the best practices of well-run programs in other
industries, implementing the program at a cooperating underground coal
mine, and evaluating it over a 5-year period to demonstrate its
efficacy in preventing hearing loss. An effective HCP should include
the following critical elements: measurement of worker noise exposure
and noise sources, intervention strategies to reduce noise exposures,
periodic audiometric evaluations, educational and motivational
programs, record keeping, and monitoring to assess effectiveness of
program elements. Project results, in combination with other research,
will support the implementation of HCP's by providing workshops and
recommendations to the mining industry and preparing publications and
recommendations to the scientific community.
B. Eligible Applicants
Applications may be submitted by public and private nonprofit and
for-profit organizations and by governments and their agencies; that
is, universities, colleges, research institutions, hospitals, other
public and private nonprofit and for-profit organizations, State and
local governments or their bona fide agents, and federally recognized
Indian tribal
[[Page 27088]]
governments, Indian tribes, or Indian tribal organizations.
Note: Public Law 104-65 states that an organization described in
section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 that engages
in lobbying activities is not eligible to receive Federal funds
constituting an award, grant, cooperative agreement, contract, loan,
or any other form.
C. Availability of Funds
Approximately $275,000 is available in FY 1998 to fund one award.
It is expected that the award will begin on or about September 30,
1998, and will be made for a 12-month budget period within a project
period of up to five years. Funding estimates may change.
Continuation awards within an approved project period will be made
on the basis of satisfactory progress as evidenced by required reports
and the availability of funds.
D. 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).
A. Recipient Activities
1. Prepare study protocol and obtain required approvals. The
protocol should include the methodology to be used in developing and
evaluating the HCP, technical activities to implement the HCP, data to
be collected, and proposed analyses of the data. Present the protocol
to a panel of scientific reviewers (if required) and revise the
protocol as required for final approval.
2. Implement and manage the HCP with the cooperation of the mine
operator and employees.
3. Schedule and conduct worker noise exposure measurements,
audiometric testing, and engineering noise control work.
4. Evaluate the effectiveness of the overall HCP, as well as,
individual elements of the program, in reducing worker noise exposure
levels and preventing hearing loss.
5. Prepare a report summarizing the study methodology, the results
of all analyses, and conclusions reached. Report study results in the
scientific community via presentations at professional conferences and
articles in peer-reviewed journals.
6. Conduct one industry-wide workshop to share the results of this
study with the mining industry and to promote the adoption of HCP's by
other mines.
B. CDC/NIOSH Activities
1. Provide scientific and technical collaboration for the
successful completion of the project.
2. Assist, if necessary, in the measurement, analysis, and
evaluation of both worker noise exposures and hearing
levels(audiometric data).
3. Assist, if necessary, in the identification of intervention
strategies to reduce worker noise exposure levels.
4. Review the results of the study and collaborate, where
appropriate, in the preparation and publication of results in peer-
reviewed journals.
E. Application Content
Competing Applications
Use the information in the Program Requirements, Other
Requirements, and Evaluation Criteria sections to develop the
application content. Your application will be evaluated on the criteria
listed, so it is important to follow them in laying out your program
plan. The narrative should be no more than 25 double-spaced pages,
printed on one side, with one inch margins, and unreduced font.
F. Submission and Deadline
Letter of Intent
Your letter of intent (LOI) should include the following
information. The LOI must be submitted on or before June 1, 1998, to:
Victoria Sepe, Grants Management Specialist, Grants Management Branch,
Procurement and Grants Office, Announcement 98066, Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC), Room 300, 255 East Paces Ferry Road, NE.,
M/S E-13, Atlanta, Georgia 30305-2209.
Application
Submit the original and two copies of PHS 5161-1 (OMB Number 0937-
0189). Forms are in the application kit. On or before July 1, 1998,
submit the application to: Victoria Sepe, Grants Management Specialist,
Grants Management Branch, Procurement and Grants Office, Announcement
98066, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Room 300, 255
East Paces Ferry Road, NE., M/S E-13, Atlanta, Georgia 30305-2209.
If your application does not arrive in time for submission to the
independent review group, it will not be considered in the current
competition unless you can provide proof that you mailed it on or
before the deadline (i.e., receipt from U.S. Postal Service or a
commercial carrier; private metered postmarks are not acceptable).
G. Evaluation Criteria
Each application will be evaluated individually against the
following criteria by an independent review group appointed by CDC.
1. Plan (35%)
The applicant's overall research plan should reflect a
comprehensive understanding of all aspects of the cooperative
agreement, including the resources and time required for accomplishing
the project. The plan should include a commitment from the
participating mine, as evidenced by a written agreement, for the mine
operator to work collaboratively with labor and government in support
of achieving the objectives of the cooperative agreement.
2. Objectives (25%)
a. The applicant should demonstrate a clear and complete
understanding of the objectives of the cooperative agreement. This
should reflect the applicant's understanding of the problem to be
addressed and the purpose of the project. The objectives should be
timelined and measurable.
b. The degree to which the applicant has met the CDC Policy
requirements regarding the inclusion of women, ethnic, and racial
groups in the proposed research. This includes:
1. The proposed plan for the inclusion of both sexes and racial and
ethnic minority populations for appropriate representation.
2. The proposed justification when representation is limited or
absent.
3. A statement as to whether the design of the study is adequate to
measure differences when warranted.
4. A statement as to whether the plans for recruitment and outreach
for study participants include the process of establishing partnerships
with community(ies) and recognition of mutual benefits.
3. Methods (25%)
The study design and methodology for accomplishing the stated
objectives should be thorough and sound. The applicant's proposed
methodology should demonstrate an understanding of the pertinent
literature on hearing conservation programs, including the need for an
on-going process to evaluate the impact of the intervention activities
to reduce worker noise exposure levels and prevent any significant
hearing loss.
4. Evaluation (15%)
The applicant's proposed plans to ensure project activities are
carried out on schedule and to evaluate project accomplishments should
be identified.
[[Page 27089]]
5. Budget (Not Scored)
The budget will be evaluated to the extent that it is reasonable,
clearly justified, and consistent with the intended use of funds.
6. Human Subjects (Not Scored)
Does the application adequately address the requirements of Title
45 CFR Part 46 for the protection of human subjects?
____YES ____NO
Comments:--------------------------------------------------------------
H. Other Requirements
Technical Reporting Requirements
Provide CDC with original plus two copies of:
1. progress reports (annual);
2. financial status report, no more than 90 days after the end of
the budget period; and
3. final financial and performance reports, no more than 90 days
after the end of the project period.
Send all reports to: Victoria Sepe, Grants Management Specialist,
Grants Management Branch, Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Room 300, 255 East Paces Ferry
Road, NE., M/S E-13, Atlanta, GA 30305-2209.
The following additional requirements are applicable to this
program. For a complete description of each, see Attachment I (in the
application kit).
AR98-1--Human Subjects Requirements
AR98-2--Requirements for Inclusion of Women and Racial and Ethnic
Minorities in Research
AR98-7--Executive Order 12372 Review
AR98-9--Paperwork Reduction Act Requirements
AR98-10--Smoke-Free Workplace Requirements
AR98-11--Healthy People 2000
AR98-12--Lobbying Restrictions
AR98-14--Accounting System Requirements
I. Authority and Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number
This program is authorized under the Public Health Service Act,
Sections 301(a) and 311, [42 U.S.C. 241(a) and 243], as amended, and
Section 21, [29 U.S.C. 670] of the Occupational Safety and Health Act
of 1970. The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance number is 93.262
for the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
in CDC.
J. Where To Obtain Additional Information
To receive additional written information and to request an
application kit, call 1-888-GRANTS4 (1-888 472-6874). You will be asked
to leave your name and address and will be instructed to identify the
Announcement number of interest.
If you have questions after reviewing the contents of all the
documents, business management technical assistance may be obtained
from: Victoria Sepe, Grants Management Specialist, Grants Management
Branch, Procurement and Grants Office, Announcement [98066], Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Room 300, 255 East Paces
Ferry Road, NE., M/S E-13, Atlanta, GA 30305-2209, telephone (404) 842-
6804, Email address vxw1@cdc.gov.
For program technical assistance, contact J. Alton Burks, Sc.D.,
Hearing Loss Prevention Branch, Pittsburgh Research Laboratory,
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention(CDC), P.O. Box 18070, Pittsburgh, PA
15236, Telephone (412) 892-6484, Internet: aib5@cdc.gov.
Also, the CDC home page on the Internet: http://www.cdc.gov is
available for copies of this Announcement and funding documents.
Dated: May 8, 1998.
Diane D. Porter,
Acting Director, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health,
Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
[FR Doc. 98-12935 Filed 5-14-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-19-P
