A Model Hearing Conservation Program for Coal Miners; Notice of Availability of Funds

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

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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.

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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 [email protected].

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: [email protected].

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