Release
Date: February 29, 2012
Respond by Date: March 31, 2012
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)
The Superfund Research Program (SRP) is seeking input on the design and need for potential occupational safety and hazardous substance training programs in emerging technologies. Examples of emerging technologies may include, but are not limited to, those related to nanotechnology, remediation, and exposure science. This Request for Information (RFI) aims to gather information on critical gaps, challenges, and potential strategies to address the needs for training in occupational exposure and hazards related to emerging technologies and how to best train and protect workers from these hazards through continuing education, short courses, and advanced training. This RFI is for planning purposes only and should not be construed as a funding opportunity or grant program. Responses are being sought from institutes and organizations with established programs in occupational and safety training, the extramural community, researchers, scientific training societies, the general public, educators, environmental health researchers, health professionals, policy makers, industrial hygienists, and others. Please respond to the contact below by March 31, 2012.
Under the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA) of 1986, the Superfund Research Program of NIEHS is mandated to establish and support training in accredited institutions of higher education to educate state and local health and environmental agency personnel, labor professionals, and other professional personnel engaged in the following activities: 1) the handling of hazardous substances, 2) the management of facilities at which hazardous substances are located and 3) the evaluation of hazards to human health presented by such facilities. This training includes 1) short courses and continuing education for workers engaged in handling hazardous substance and 2) graduate and advanced training in environmental and occupational health and safety in the public health and engineering aspects of hazardous waste control.
The SRP is requesting information on the need for design and organization of hazardous substance training programs in emerging technologies. Responses are being sought from institutes and organizations with established programs in occupational and safety training, the extramural community, researchers, scientific training societies, the general public, educators, environmental health researchers, health professionals, policy makers, industrial hygienists, and others.
Information on following topics is being requested:
- Emerging industries or fields that could benefit from training in occupational safety and hazardous substances training (e.g., nanotechnology, remediation (chemical, physical, and biological), and exposure sciences (assessment; biology; sensor technology).
- Current level of awareness of existing or potential training and education in emerging technologies.
- Current health and safety principles and strategies that may be applied to industrial hygiene and occupational safety in emerging industries.
- Perceived level of need for training and types of courses deserving of focus on emerging technologies.
- Gaps and challenges in research, technology, and general knowledge of occupational threats related to emerging technologies in industrial settings.
The above list of topics is not exclusive, and any additional input on aspects of potential occupational exposure to hazardous substance related to emerging technologies and the design and organization of these training programs is welcomed. It is not necessary to respond to all of the topics posed above.
Comments may be submitted through any of two means:
- Via the website: http://go.usa.gov/UBu.
- Via hard copy submission at the Contact address below.
Comments will be accepted through March 31, 2012.
This RFI is for information and planning purposes only and should not be construed as a solicitation or as an obligation on the part of the Federal Government, the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and or the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS). The NIH does not intend to award a grant or contract to pay for the preparation of any information submitted or for the NIH’s use of such information. Respondents will not be notified of the NIH evaluation of the information received. No basis for claims against the NIH shall arise as a result of a response to this request for information or the NIH’s use of such information as either part of our evaluation process or in developing specifications for any subsequent announcement. Responses will be held confidential. Proprietary information should not be sent.
Please
direct all inquiries to:
Danielle Carlin, Ph.D., DABT
Program
Administrator
Superfund
Research Program
Center
for Risk and Integrated Sciences
Division
of Extramural Research and Training
National
Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
530
Davis Dr. Suite 3088, MD K3-04
Morrisville,
NC 27560
Phone:
(919) 541-1409
Fax:
(919) 541-2843
E-mail:
danielle.carlin@nih.gov
Website: http://www.niehs.nih.gov/
and Human Services (HHS)
