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, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is providing opportunity for public comment on proposed data collection 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 Office at (404) 639-7090.

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

Evaluation of Effectiveness of NIOSH Publications—NEW— National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Through the development, organization, and dissemination of information, NIOSH promotes awareness about occupational hazards and their control, and improves the quality of American working life. Although NIOSH uses a variety of media and delivery mechanisms to communicate with its constituents, one of the primary vehicles is through the distribution of NIOSH-numbered publications. The extent to which these publications successfully meet the information needs of their intended audience is not currently known. In a period of diminishing resources and increasing accountability, it is important that NIOSH be able to demonstrate that communications about its research and service programs are both effective and efficient in influencing workplace change. This requires a social marketing evaluation of NIOSH products to measure the degree of customer satisfaction and their adoption of recommended actions.

The present project proposes to do this by conducting a mail survey of a primary segment of NIOSH's customer base, the community of occupational safety and health professionals. In collaboration with the American Association of Occupational Health Nurses (13,000 members), the American Industrial Hygiene Association (12,400 members), the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine ( 6,500 members), and the American Society of Safety Engineers (33,000 members), NIOSH will survey a sample of their memberships to ascertain, among other things: (1) Their perceptions and attitudes toward NIOSH as a general information resource; (2) their perceptions and attitudes about specific types of NIOSH publications (e.g., criteria documents, technical reports, alerts); (3) the frequency and nature of referral to NIOSH in affecting occupational safety and health practices and policies; (4) the extent to which they have implemented NIOSH recommendations; and (5) their recommendations for improving NIOSH products and delivery systems. The results of this survey will provide an empirical assessment of the impact of NIOSH publications on occupational safety and health practice and policy in the United States as well as provide direction for shaping future NIOSH communication efforts. There is no cost to the respondents.