[Federal Register: October 16, 2002 (Volume 67, Number 200)]
[Notices]               
[Page 63925-63926]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr16oc02-81]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

[60Day-03-02]

 
Proposed Data Collections Submitted for Public Comment and 
Recommendations

    In compliance with the requirement of section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 for opportunity for public comment on 
proposed data collection projects, the Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention (CDC) will publish periodic summaries of proposed projects. 
To request more information on the proposed projects or to obtain a 
copy of the data collection plans and instruments, call the CDC Reports 
Clearance Officer on (404) 498-1210.
    Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
the agency, including whether the information shall have practical 
utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the 
proposed collection of information; (c) ways to enhance the quality, 
utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways 
to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, 
including through the use of automated collection techniques or other 
forms of information technology. Send comments to Anne O'Connor, CDC 
Assistant Reports Clearance Officer, 1600 Clifton Road, MS-D24, 
Atlanta, GA 30333. Written comments should be received within 60 days 
of this notice.

Proposed Project

    Evaluating Toolbox Training Safety Program for Construction and 
Mining (OMB 0920-0535)--Extension--National Institute for Occupational 
Safety and Health (NIOSH), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 
(CDC) proposes to evaluate the effectiveness of various educational 
approaches utilizing ``toolbox'' safety training materials targeted to 
construction and mining industries. The mission of the National 
Institute for Occupational Safety and Health is to promote safety and 
health at work for all people through research and prevention.
    In comparison to other industries, construction and mining, workers 
continue to have the highest rates of occupational fatalities and 
injuries. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimated for 1999 that while 
the construction industry comprises only 6% of the workforce, they 
account for 20% of the fatal occupational injuries across all industry 
types (BLS, 1999). Similarly, though the mining industry comprises less 
than .5% of the workforce, this industry reflects 2% of all fatal 
occupational injuries (BLS, 1999).
    Research on the effectiveness of safety and health training 
programs has revealed that training can lead to increases in worker 
knowledge and awareness of workplace safety practices. However, fewer 
evaluations of safety training effectiveness have investigated the 
relationship between various instructional approaches and the actual 
transfer of safety training information into workplace practices. 
Preliminary input from employees, managers, and union leaders 
representing construction and mining concerns revealed a desire in 
these industries for affordable safety training materials that can be 
effectively administered in short sessions on the job.
    Representatives from these industries reported that safety training 
sessions need to establish a closer connection between the safety 
recommendations and the background experiences and knowledge of the 
workers. An instructional approach that may address these needs is 
often called ``toolbox'' or ``tailgate'' training. This type of 
training is characterized by brief (15 minute) workplace safety 
lessons. Despite the popularity of toolbox safety talks, research is 
needed to identify the most effective format for this medium. NIOSH 
will investigate the impact of using a narrative, case-study 
instructional approach versus a more typical, didactic ``learn the 
facts'' approach. Comparative analyses will examine differences in 
knowledge gain, safety attitudes and

[[Page 63926]]

beliefs, and workplace behaviors. Findings from this research will help 
identify the conditions critical to effective toolbox safety training 
for mining and construction. The materials developed and evaluated 
during this study will be made available to the public at the 
conclusion of the evaluation.
    Construction and mining companies who participate in the study will 
be randomly assigned to receive eight weekly toolbox safety training 
sessions that use either a case-study narrative or conventional 
instructional approach. The training sessions are designed to last 
fifteen minutes. The impact of these materials will be evaluated 
through the examination of changes in employee knowledge gains, 
attitudes toward safety practices, and the use of safety behaviors 
prior to and following their participation in the safety training 
program. Trainers will complete brief response cards each week. A 
sample of trainers will participate in structured interviews. Findings 
of the study will be reported to participants and in the literature. 
There is no cost to respondents.

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                                                                     Number of    Average burden/
                   Respondents                       Number of      responses/     response (in    Total burden
                                                    respondent      respondent        hours)        (in hours)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Worker Pre-training Survey (attitude survey)....             640               1           15/60             160
Worker Post-training Survey (attitude survey)...             640               1           15/60             160
Instructor Feedback Cards.......................              64               8            5/60              43
                                                 -----------------
    Total.......................................  ..............  ..............  ..............             363
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    Dated: October 7, 2002.
Nancy E. Cheal,
Acting Associate Director for Policy, Planning, and Evaluation, Centers 
for Disease Control and Prevention.
[FR Doc. 02-26204 Filed 10-15-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P