[Federal Register: June 21, 2002 (Volume 67, Number 120)]
[Notices]               
[Page 42268-42271]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr21jn02-76]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

 
Statement of Organization, Functions, and Delegations of 
Authority

    Part C (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) of the 
Statement of Organization, Functions, and Delegations of Authority of 
the Department of Health and Human Services (45 FR 67772-76, dated 
October 14, 1980, and corrected at 45 FR 69296, October 20, 1980, as 
amended most recently at 67 FR 18914-18921, dated April 17, 2002) is 
amended to establish the National Personal Protective Technology 
Laboratory within the National Institute for Occupational Safety and 
Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The Laboratory will 
be located in Pittsburgh, PA.
    Section C-B, Organization and Functions, is hereby amended as 
follows:
    Delete the functional statement for the Disaster Prevention and 
Response Branch (CC27), Pittsburgh Research Laboratory (CC2), and 
insert the following:
    (1) Conducts laboratory and field investigations of catastrophic 
events such as explosions and catastrophic

[[Page 42269]]

structural or ground failures to better understand cause and effect 
relationships that initiate such events; (2) designs and implements 
appropriate intervention strategies; (3) develops, tests, and promotes 
the use of disaster prediction and risk evaluation systems for control 
or reduction of risk; (4) develops criteria and tests for explosives to 
determine their suitability for mine use and transportation; (5) 
evaluates and recommends implementation strategies for disaster 
prevention; (6) assists in the development and evaluation of curricula 
for mine rescue and firefighting in conjunction with other health 
education, health communication, and other information and education 
activities of the Institute.
    Delete the functional statement for the Division of Respiratory 
Disease Studies (CCA) and insert the following:
    (1) Provides national and international leadership for 
understanding and preventing occupational respiratory disease; (2) 
plans, designs and conducts a national research program for the 
prevention of occupational respiratory disease; (3) upon request, 
conducts hazard evaluations and provides technical assistance to 
address emerging problems in occupational respiratory disease; (4) 
plans, designs and conducts a national surveillance program for 
occupational respiratory disease; (5) communicates study findings for 
the prevention of occupational respiratory diseases and evaluates the 
effectiveness of these communications; (6) administers a program of 
legislatively mandated medical services for coal miners under the 
Federal Mine Safety and Health Act (FMSHAct) of 1977.
    Delete the functional statement for the Laboratory Research Branch 
(CCA9), Division of Respiratory Disease Studies (CCA), and insert the 
following:
    (1) Conducts laboratory research complementary to, and coordinated 
with, field investigations of occupational respiratory diseases; (2) 
formulates and implements laboratory research which will identify 
factors involved in the early detection and differential rates of 
susceptibility to occupational respiratory disease; (3) develops new 
methods to improve detection and measurement of human response to 
respiratory hazards found in the workplace; (4) develops new methods 
and technologies to characterize and measure respiratory exposure 
agents; (5) devises and conducts clinical research studies on the 
causes, detection, and quantification of occupational respiratory 
disease; (6) in conjunction with researchers in the Health Effects 
Laboratory Division (HELD), carries out an experimental pathology 
program utilizing appropriate laboratory animals to study the mechanism 
and progression of lung damage from occupational respiratory exposures.
    Delete in their entirety and title and functional statement for the 
Respirator Branch (CCAA), Division of Respiratory Disease Studies 
(CCA).
    Delete the functional statement for the Surveillance Branch (CCAB), 
Division of Respiratory Disease Studies (CCA), and insert the 
following:
    (1) Collects, analyzes and disseminates health and hazard 
information related to occupational respiratory diseases; (2) 
collaborates on the establishment of health surveillance systems in 
order to: (a) summarize information relating to overall incidence, 
prevalence, mortality, and importance of occupational respiratory 
diseases; (b) describe the occurrence of specific diseases (including 
temporal trends) with regard to occupation, industry, geography, 
demographic characteristics, and other factors for which information is 
available; (c) describe the distribution and trends in occupational 
exposure to agents responsible for respiratory diseases; (3) produces 
and develops reports describing workplace hazards and work-related 
occupational lung diseases; (4) coordinates with other Federal agencies 
and promulgates rules as provided for in the FMSHAct of 1977, and the 
OSHAct of 1970, to provide for the collection and reporting of health 
and hazard surveillance data related to occupational respiratory 
diseases; (5) provides technical assistance and recommendations 
concerning medical screening and health surveillance of workers exposed 
to respiratory hazards in the workplace; (6) conducts surveys of 
hazardous exposures and the application and use of various exposure 
control technologies; (7) synthesizes data and frames recommendations 
for priority setting, hypothesis generation, and improved methods for 
data collection; (8) develops and evaluates surveillance methods of 
data collection, processing, and statistical analysis which are 
relevant to the Division mission.
    Delete the functional statement for the Division of Safety Research 
(CCB) and insert the following:
    (1) As the focal point for the Institute's occupational traumatic 
injury prevention and safety program, identifies the major causes of 
injuries and safety hazards, identifies interventions to improve worker 
safety, and supports implementation of these interventions; (2) 
develops scientifically sound recommendations for programs to prevent 
and control occupational traumatic injuries; (3) develops 
scientifically sound recommendations for the performance and use of 
equipment and various other devices for protecting workers; (4) 
evaluates the impact of targeted control programs for preventing or 
mitigating traumatic injury, diseases, disability, and death; (5) 
manages program planning/project coordination, including the Division's 
financial and personnel management systems, and ensures the scientific 
and program integrity of Division functions.
    Delete the functional statement for the Methods and Analysis 
Section (CCB54), Analysis and Field Evaluations Branch (CCB5), Division 
of Safety Research (CCB), and insert the following:
    (1) In collaboration with the Intervention and Evaluation Section, 
develops scientifically sound methods for the conduct of analytic 
epidemiologic investigation and applied field interventions trials to 
assess the effectiveness of new, redesigned, and existing technical, 
managerial, regulatory, and system safety engineering and occupational 
medicine approaches and programs for preventing injuries and for 
utilizing recommended work practices and equipment; (2) develops 
methods for the collection and analysis of data on the human and 
economic costs of occupational injuries and assures a cost-benefit 
component of studies where feasible; (3) collaborates in the 
development and implementation of analysis plans for epidemiologic and 
other data collected by the Branch; (4) designs and implements quality 
assurance efforts for the collection and management of data within the 
Branch; (5) develops information for dissemination to the scientific 
community as well as to employers, workers, safety and health 
professionals and others; (6) provides risk assessment analyses and 
services for improved decision making in job safety to the Protective 
Technology Branch, other components of NIOSH and CDC, other Federal 
agencies, and other public and private sector organizations.
    Delete the functional statement for the Protective Technology 
Branch (CCB7), Division of Safety Research (CCB), and insert the 
following:
    (1) Designs and develops new and improved safety engineering 
systems and controls, work practices, and equipment to protect workers; 
(2) tests and evaluates, in the laboratory, simulated workplace, and 
actual work-sites, existing and new technological approaches to worker 
protection, and occupational injury prevention and control; (3) 
evaluates the use and

[[Page 42270]]

performance of safety engineering controls; (4) develops scientifically 
sound recommendations for the performance and use of existing or 
redesigned safety engineering controls, work practices, and equipment; 
(5) develops technical information to support recommendations for 
safety standards; (6) coordinates the preparation of technical 
informational packages from the Technology Development, Protective 
Equipment, and Safety Controls Sections; (7) provides recommendations 
to the Analysis and Field Evaluations Branch regarding specific hazards 
or interventions requiring further epidemiologic research and/or 
evaluation; (8) provides technical assistance and consultation to other 
Branches within the Division of Safety Research, other components of 
NIOSH and CDC, other Federal agencies, and other public and private 
sector organizations on the use of protective technology for the 
prevention of worker exposures to safety hazards that lead to injuries.
    Delete the functional statement for the Protective Equipment 
Section (CCB74), Protective Technology Branch (CCB7), Division of 
Safety Research (CCB), and insert the following:
    In coordination with the National Personal Protective Technology 
Laboratory (NPPTL): (1) Conducts research in the laboratory, simulated 
workplace, and actual workplace to identify ways to improve the 
performance of personal protective equipment other than respirators; 
(2) develops and validates test methods necessary to evaluate 
interventions and to increase the performance of personal protective 
equipment; (3) develops recommendations for relevant constituent groups 
on the use of effective personal protective equipment other than 
respirators; (4) assists in preparing technical informational packages 
to facilitate the proper use of all types of personal protective 
equipment.
    Delete the functional statement for the Technology Development 
Section (CCB75), Protective Technology Branch (CCB7), Division of 
Safety Research (CCB), and insert the following:
    (1) Conducts research in new technology and methodology for 
occupational safety research; (2) develops and validates test and 
measurement methods necessary to conduct safety controls and equipment 
research; (3) designs, modifies, calibrates, and maintains laboratory 
test equipment in support of Branch research activities; (4) develops 
recommendations for relevant constituent groups on the use of exposure 
assessment tools and occupational safety research technologies; (5) 
collaborates in developing recommendations for the use of effective 
safety engineering controls and work practices by relevant constituent 
groups; (6) collaborates in preparing technical informational packages 
to facilitate the proper use of occupational safety research 
technologies.
    Following the functional statement for the Special Studies Section 
(CCB85), Surveillance and Field Investigations Branch (8CCB8), Division 
of Safety Research (CCB), insert the following:
    National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory (CCC). (1) 
Conducts work site surveillance of hazards for which protective 
technologies and equipment are used to protect workers, and studies 
patterns of personal protective technology (PPT) use; (2) conducts a 
variety of laboratory and field research relating to the development 
and evaluation of innovative personal protective technologies and 
equipment; (3) researches and develops criteria, standards and 
guidelines relating to PPT performance, quality, reliability and 
efficacy; (4) directs and carries out the NIOSH respirator approval 
program and related laboratory, field, quality, and records activities; 
(5) produces and disseminates research findings, technical information, 
training materials, performance criteria, and recommendations for using 
personal protective equipment to improve protection of workers; (6) 
develops, studies and assesses the effectiveness of communications and 
training approaches and technologies relating to PPT.
    Respirator Branch (CCC2). (1) Processes respirator approval 
applications; i.e., certifying performance, quality, reliability, and 
efficacy of respiratory protection devices in accordance with Federal 
regulations and NIOSH policy; (2) evaluates and maintains official 
records on NIOSH-approved respirators; (3) develops and promulgates new 
approval standards and regulations; (4) establishes NIOSH policy 
relating to the approval of respirators, including approval policies 
for innovative respirator features; (5) evaluates quality control 
plans, including in-plant manufacturing-site quality system audits, and 
monitors the quality and performance of certified respirators; (6) 
investigates field problems associated with NIOSH-certified 
respirators; (7) recommends NIOSH activities to address product non-
conformance such as NIOSH approval rescission, product recalls or 
retrofits, and public notification of potentially unsafe products; (8) 
provides technical assistance on the selection, use, maintenance, and 
operation of respirator protective equipment.
    Certification, Evaluation, and Testing Section (CCC22). (1) 
Develops programs, standard test procedures and evaluation criteria to 
determine if products submitted for NISOH approval meet established 
standards; (2) processes respirator manufacturer applications for NIOSH 
approval by reviewing engineering specifications, drawings, quality 
assurance and other pertinent documentation, and conducting standard 
laboratory tests on products to ensure they meet or exceed regulatory 
requirements, such as 42 CFR Part 84; (3) conducts laboratory tests on 
NIOSH-approved respirator equipment in support of product audits and 
special investigations; (4) develops respirator selection and use 
guidelines for NIOSH-approved respirators; (5) collects and processes 
application fees and materials; (6) tracks submitted applications; (7) 
responds to technical requests for information.
    Quality Assurance Section (CCC23). (1) Conducts manufacturing site 
audits to ensure that manufacturers comply with the quality assurance 
program plans approved by NIOSH; (2) conducts audits of products 
purchased either ``off-the-shelf'' or from the manufacturer during site 
audits to ensure that the manufacturers continue to comply with all 
aspects of the approval requirements after the respirator is in 
production; (3) conducts audits of private laboratories authorized by 
NIOSH to conduct standard tests on respirators submitted to NIOSH for 
approval; (4) conducts audits of private auditors authorized by NIOSH 
to conduct manufacturing site or laboratory audits; (5) conducts 
product investigations of respirator failure/problems; (6) resolves or 
corrects problems that may include product recalls, field retrofits, 
requests to stop sale of the respirator as a NIOSH-approved device, or 
in extreme cases, approval revocation.
    Policy and Standards Development Section (CCC24). (1) Identifies 
where research is needed to support new standards, regulations, and 
policies relating to NIOSH-certified respirators; (2) assesses research 
findings and translates them into effective NIOSH policy, regulations, 
and auditing practices, especially for new respirator technology or 
special applications; (3) holds public meetings to solicit information 
concerning users needs and the feasibility of specific technologies;

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(4) determines the public financial and legal impacts of Federal 
regulation revision.
    LTFE/SCSRs Program Section (CCC25). (1) Assesses the in-mine 
operational durability and reliability of self-contained self-rescuers 
(SCSRs) deployed in accordance with Federal regulations 30 CFR 75.1714 
and 42 CFR 84; (2) conducts laboratory assessments and recommends 
technology improvements, reliability test procedures and user 
guidelines for the effective care and inspection of SCSR devices; (3) 
provides technical assistance and consultation to other branches within 
NPPTL, other components of NIOSH and CDC, other Federal agencies, and 
other public and private sector organizations on SCSR reliability; (4) 
investigates SCSR failure and conducts field studies in various mines 
to assess and improve SCSR protection for workers.
    Technology Branch (CCC3). (1) Encourages and conducts research 
related to innovative technologies for new products; (2) conducts 
laboratory and field research of methods and PPT performance, quality, 
reliability, and efficacy, especially for new or emerging hazards; (3) 
investigates emerging hazards and personal exposures to identify worker 
PPT needs and technology gaps; (4) conducts research for the effective 
integration of various personal protective technologies and equipment; 
(5) recommends performance, quality, reliability, and efficacy 
criteria; (6) conducts PPT failure investigations and analyses, and 
recommends criteria to improve PPT; (7) conducts hypothesis testing-
based research; (8) studies and improves human/technology interfaces; 
(9) conducts research into the physiologic and psychologic stressors 
and worker responses to protective technologies and equipment; (10) 
recommends user guidelines, including cautions, limitations, and 
restrictions of use; (11) participates on national and international 
standards setting committees and establishes a national/international 
database of relevant standards.
    Surveillance, Communications, and Training Branch (CCC4). (1) 
Collects data relevant to work site hazards and worker protection 
needs; (2) conducts surveillance of hazards for which protective 
technologies and equipment are used; (3) studies patterns of personal 
protective technology use; (4) investigates barriers to effective use 
of protective technologies; (5) conducts surveillance of PPT failures, 
and cautions and limitations of personal protective technologies and 
the programs guiding their use; (6) reports on the overall incidence, 
prevalence, and trends of illnesses and injuries of personnel engaged 
in high-risk occupations or working in extreme environments; (7) 
designs field studies in collaboration with other branches within 
NPPTL; (8) produces and disseminates technical information, research 
findings, training materials, performance criteria, and recommendations 
for using personal protective equipment to improve protection of 
workers; (9) studies and assesses communication effectiveness; (10) 
develops and evaluates the effectiveness of training approaches, e.g., 
technologies that simulate the effect of PPT on workers; (11) provides 
writing and editing support to the Laboratory's personnel.

    Dated: June 7, 2002.
Julie L. Gerberding,
Acting Director.
[FR Doc. 02-15658 Filed 6-20-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4160-18-M