Full Text ES-95-001 HAZARDOUS MATERIALS WORKER HEALTH AND SAFETY TRAINING NIH GUIDE, Volume 23, Number 38, October 28, 1994 RFA: ES-95-001 P.T. 34 Keywords: Occupational Health and Safety Health and Safety Education National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences Letter of Intent Receipt Date: November 18, 1994 Application Receipt Date: January 20, 1995 PURPOSE The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) invites applications for cooperative agreements to support the development of model programs to train and educate workers engaged in activities related to hazardous materials and waste generation, removal, containment, transportation, and emergency response. The major objective of this solicitation is to prevent work-related harm by assisting in training workers in how best to protect themselves and their communities from exposure to hazardous materials encountered during hazardous waste operations, hazardous materials transportation, environmental restoration of nuclear weapons facilities, or chemical emergency response. A variety of sites, such as those involved with chemical waste cleanup and remedial action and transportation-related chemical emergency response, may pose severe health and safety concerns. These are often characterized by the multiplicity of substances present, the presence of unknown substances, and the general uncontrolled condition of the site. A major goal of this program is to assist organizations with the development of institutional competency to provide appropriate training and education programs to hazardous materials and waste workers. A briefing for applicants will be held at the NIEHS in Research Triangle Park, NC on November 16, 1994 from 1-3 PM in Building 101, Conference Room B. A summary of the briefing will be available from the NIEHS upon request. HEALTHY PEOPLE 2000 The Public Health Service (PHS) is committed to achieving the health promotion and disease prevention objectives of "Healthy People 2000," a priority setting process for federal public health activities. This RFA, Hazardous Materials Worker Health and Safety Training, is related to the priority areas of occupational health and environmental health. Potential applicants may obtain a copy of "Healthy People 2000" (Full Report: Stock No. 017-001-00474-0 or Summary Report: Stock No. 017-001-00473-1) through the Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402-9325 (telephone 202-783-3238). ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS Applicants must be domestic non-profit organizations with expertise and experience in implementing and operating training and education programs for workers. Such organizations must demonstrate the ability to reach and involve in training programs, target populations of workers. Any non-profit organization providing worker health and safety education and training may apply. Minority individuals and women are encouraged to apply as Principal Investigators. Non-profit organizations are corporations or associations whose net earnings may in no part lawfully accrue to the benefit of any private shareholder or individual. Proof of non-profit status must be provided with the application for assistance. Any of the following is acceptable proof of non-profit status: o A reference to the applicant organizations's listing in the Internal Revenue Service's most recent list of tax exempt organizations described in section 501(c)(3) of the IRS Code. o A copy of a currently valid IRS tax exempt certificate. o A statement from a State taxing body, State Attorney General, or other appropriate State official certifying that the applicant organization has a non-profit status and that none of the net earnings accrue to any private shareholders or individuals. o A certified copy of the organization's certificate of incorporation or similar document that clearly establishes non-profit status. o Any of the above proof for a State or national parent organization and a statement signed by the parent organization that the applicant organization is a local non-profit affiliate. Applicants are required to show proof of an ability to maintain satisfactory management and accounting systems to control funds and expenditures. Awardees may use services, as appropriate, of other organizations, public or private, necessary to develop, administer, or evaluate proposed worker training programs. Provisions of the Public Health Service Grants Policy Statement will apply to awards made under this program. MECHANISM OF SUPPORT Awards will be made as cooperative agreements (U45) for a period of up to five years from FY 1995 through 1999. No commitment of funds will be made beyond Fiscal Year 1999. Annual renewal will be based on the availability of funds, staff review of progress toward achieving training objectives, compliance with the terms and conditions of awards and submission to NIEHS of copies of all training and educational materials used under the award. The awards will include funding for training targeted to specific populations that have been identified in the authorizing statutes for this program. In Fiscal Year 1990, the Congress authorized an extension of the NIEHS worker training assistance program under the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986 (SARA) for Fiscal Years 1992, 1993, and 1994 for $20 million each year, making a total of $60 million available over the period. Currently pending action by the Congress is the Superfund Reform Act of 1994, which would reauthorize this assistance program for FY 1995 through 1999. In addition to the $20 million for Superfund worker training appropriated to EPA for FY 1995, $3 million was added to support the development of pilot projects for minority worker training targeted to young people in environmentally-contaminated communities. FUNDS AVAILABLE Projected funding of $37 million at the currently authorized levels for FY 1995 will be awarded to support model programs for targeted training. During FY 1995, NIEHS plans to fund 15 to 20 cooperative agreements in response to this RFA for a period of five years. The anticipated starting date for the initial annual period will be September 1, 1995. The funds available for these awards will include $20 million from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) (for hazardous waste operations and emergency response), $3 million from the EPA (for minority worker training), $11 million from the DOE (for nuclear cleanup workers), and $3 million from the DOT (for hazardous materials transportation), which will be transferred to NIEHS through Interagency Agreements. RESEARCH OBJECTIVES Background The Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986 (SARA), Section 126(g), authorizes an assistance program for training and education of workers engaged in activities related to hazardous waste generation, removal, containment or emergency response and hazardous materials transportation and emergency response. The Congress assigned responsibility for administering this program to the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), an Institute of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) within the Public Health Service (PHS) of the US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). Hazardous material and waste workers include workers engaged in: active and inactive waste treatment, storage and disposal, hazardous waste generation, clean up and remedial action, emergency response, and workers engaged in hazardous materials transportation including the safe loading, unloading, handling, and storage. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), U.S. Department of Labor estimates as many as 1.8 million workers may be at risk from exposure to hazardous materials associated with waste operations or an emergency response to a toxic chemical spill. Among the many potential hazards and potential exposures at these sites are: o Chemical and radiation hazards; o Biological hazards; o Fire and explosion hazards; o Safety hazards, including transportation related, electrical, manual lifting, and heavy machinery operation hazards; o Heat and cold related hazards; and o Confined space hazards, including oxygen deficiency. Congress authorized funds for the SARA program for a five year period beginning in October, 1986, with a three year extension in FY 1992. The original awardees have developed curricula and training materials, tested these in pilot courses, and established management and evaluation systems. The original awardees reported training over 350,000 participants in the first seven years of the program. In addition to the initial statutory authority for the operation of an assistance program to support worker safety and health training activities established under Section 126 of SARA, two additional statutes reference the program authorities of NIEHS which supplement the program created by the Superfund statute. The Congress established the worker training program in Section 3131 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Years 1992 and 1993 (P.L. 102 190; 105 Sta. 1571). This authorization and subsequent appropriation authorized $20 million to support worker training for the purpose of DOE site clean up activities. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and NIEHS executed an Interagency Agreement on September 24, 1992 to develop model worker safety and health training programs for workers who are involved in waste cleanup activities at facilities in the nuclear weapons complex. Seven awards were made through this program in FY 1993 and 94. Subsequently, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1995 and 1996 in Section 3136 reauthorized an additional $11 million to carry out activities related to training of workers at nuclear weapons facilities. The Congress also passed the Hazardous Materials Transportation Uniform Safety Act of 1990 (HMTUSA P.L. 101 615) to reform and upgrade protections of transportation workers and the public during the process of transporting hazardous materials and to amend the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act (HMTA). Under Section 118 of HMTUSA, authority for NIEHS to develop a new hazmat employee training assistance program is established. Grants or cooperative agreements are to be awarded to non profit organizations for the purpose of training and educating hazmat employees regarding the safe loading, storage and transportation of hazardous materials and emergency preparedness for responding to accidents or incidents involving the transportation of hazardous materials. This assistance program is currently authorized for $250,000 per year for FY 1993 and 94 and funds are transferred to NIEHS through an Interagency Agreement which was executed on June 29, 1994 with the Research and Special Programs Administration (RSPA) in the US Department of Transportation (DOT). The passage of additional amendments to HMTA in August, 1994 increased the authorized funding for the hazmat worker training to $3 million per year for fiscal years 1995 through 1998. An essential component of health and safety programs for those who work with hazardous materials is appropriate education and training. The Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986 addresses this in Section 126 which requires the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to promulgate standards for the health and safety protection of employees in this area. OSHA final rule 29 CFR 1910.120 Hazardous Waste and Emergency Response Operations was promulgated on March 6, 1989 with an effective date of March 6 1990. The statute requires that these standards address the following worker protection provisions: o Site Analysis o Training o Medical Surveillance o Protective Equipment o Engineering Controls o Maximum Exposure Limits o Information Programs o Handling o Programs for Introduction of New Technology o Decontamination Procedures o Emergency Response A minimum level of training for hazardous materials and waste workers and supervisors is specified in SARA Section 126(d). General site workers are required to receive a minimum of 40 hours of initial instruction off site and a minimum of three days of actual field experience under the direction of a trained, experienced supervisor at the time of assignment. Supervisors are required to receive the same training as general workers and a minimum of eight hours of specialized training in managing hazardous waste operations. Description of the Program The NIEHS hazardous materials worker training program seeks cooperative agreement applications from qualified domestic non-profit organizations to develop and administer model health and safety education programs for hazardous materials or waste workers. Target populations for this training include those covered by requirements of Federal Occupational Health and Safety Administration (Code of Federal Regulations, Title 29, Part 1910) and EPA (CFR, Title 40, Part 311) standards for Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response, regulations governing the NIEHS Hazardous Waste Worker Training Program (CFR, Title 42, Part 65), as well as hazardous materials transportation workers regulated by the US DOT (49 CFR 171-177), and workers in the nuclear weapons complex covered by the US DOE orders and other agency regulations. Model training programs for hazardous waste workers and emergency responders will satisfy minimum requirements as specified in Federal OSHA rules and other related regulations that have been or may be promulgated. Training programs will also meet the minimum requirements specified in the Minimum Criteria for Worker Health and Safety Training for Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response, published April 1990 as a result of an NIEHS sponsored technical workshop on training quality. Consideration should also be given to the recently published Appendix E of 29 CFR 1910.120 (59 FR 43268, August 22, 1994), which references much of the NIEHS Minimum Criteria Worker Health and Safety Training for Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response. Previous successful experience in conducting worker training programs for these purposes will be heavily weighted. Awards will be made for direct student and worker trainer training, technical support of training, and training program evaluation. It is believed that adequate curricula and training materials exist for worker training that can be adapted with minimal effort. Means of multiplying training are also encouraged to meet the need; thus, effective train the trainer programs are encouraged. Programs targeted to multi-state or nationwide coverage to reach wider worker populations will be given preference in review and funding. Applications that cover municipalities or other jurisdictions covering less than two states will not be considered. Applicants are also encouraged to develop plans for independently continuing the program. On February 11, 1994, President Clinton signed an Executive Order on Environmental Justice, which directed numerous federal agencies to assess their programs and policies with respect to their impact on protecting disadvantaged communities from environmental health risks. The Executive Order requires that agencies conduct activities that substantially affect human health or the environment in a nondiscriminatory manner. Applications should include plans for reaching underserved workers in the proposed target populations especially those disadvantaged in education, language skills or limited in literacy. The inclusion of institutions and organizations that have historical involvement and expertise in responding to environmental justice issues is also strongly encouraged. Participation of minority institutions and minority community-based organizations may include the adaptation of curricula to address environmental justice concerns, the development of training programs that can provide outreach to environmentally disadvantaged groups, and the delivery of high quality training that can augment efforts to promote toxic use reduction, emergency preparedness in the community, chemical process safety and pollution prevention. Applicants should refer to SARA Section 126 requirements for training. Coverage of all hazardous waste and emergency response workers is based on potential exposure and health risk. The language of section 126 (d)(1) and (g) is clear that the training scope be broad. Section 126 states that the training be required for personnel engaged in hazardous substance removal or other activities, such as those involved in transportation, which expose or potentially expose such workers to hazardous substances. The same section later requires that special training be provided to workers who may be exposed to unique or special hazards. Section (g)(1) authorizes this training assistance program for the training of workers who are or may be engaged in activities related to hazardous waste removal or containment or emergency response. There is no limiting language regarding training coverage. Thus, scope covers worker health protection from hazardous waste work and exposure to hazardous substances in the broadest sense. Two or more non-profit organizations may join in a single application and share resources in order to maximize worker group coverage, enhance the effectiveness of training, and bring together appropriate academic disciplines and talents. Such arrangements are strongly encouraged. Joint applications must have specific plans and mechanisms to implement the cooperative arrangements necessary for program integration and to insure effectiveness. Specific expertise, facilities or services to be provided by each participating member must be identified. Awardees submitting competing continuation applications should describe, along with other progress, how they have met special cooperative agreement terms and conditions of their awards, including their interaction with other investigators and NIEHS program staff. Applications that are responsive to this solicitation must clearly delineate the training populations being targeted by specifying a discrete training plan, program resources and a segregated program budget which responds to any or all of the authorized NIEHS assistance programs through EPA (for Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response), EPA (for Minority Worker Training), DOT (for Hazardous Materials Transportation) and DOE (for Nuclear Cleanup Workers). For planning purposes, applicants should submit a single application containing separate budgets and training plans for up to a five year period (FY 1995 through 1999), that responds to any or all of the targeted training programs identified in this solicitation. The cooperative agreement is an assistance instrument similar in most ways to a grant. It differs in that, in addition to the standard stewardship role, the NIEHS program administrator is expected to have a continuing substantive role in one or more technical aspects of the program. The type and degree of this substantial programmatic involvement is specified in the terms of the award. The awardee will have lead responsibilities in all aspects of the program, including any technical modifications to the curriculum, conduct of the training, and quality control. Applicants are expected to furnish their own estimates of the time required to achieve specific training and education objectives of the proposed training program and conduct appropriate program evaluations. Any substantial modifications in the program scope and objectives must be mutually agreed upon by the awardee institution and NIEHS. Because of the varied target audiences for the proposed training and education programs, it is anticipated that a variety of approaches will be responsive to this RFA and that there will be a range of costs among individual awards. A list of curricula developed by current NIEHS awardees and copies of the Minimum Criteria for Worker Health and Safety Training for Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response may be obtained from: National Clearinghouse for Worker Safety and Health Training for Hazardous Materials Waste Operations and Emergency Response George Meany Center for Labor Studies 10000 New Hampshire Avenue Silver Spring, MD 20903 Telephone: (301) 431-5425 Copies of individual curricula developed by current awardees may also be obtained from the Clearinghouse at the above address for the cost of reproduction and handling. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS Terms of Cooperation: Assistance from NIEHS Staff In fulfillment of its role in the cooperative agreement, the NIEHS will provide appropriate assistance, advice, and guidance on the conduct of the project, as described below. The role of the NIEHS will be to facilitate, not to direct, the development of a high quality national worker training resource. Specifically, the substantial programmatic involvement of the NIEHS staff will include the following activities: o The NIEHS program administrator will coordinate activities of mutual interest and benefit to awardees and the Institute. The primary objective of the Worker Education and Training Program will be to stimulate collaborative work between NIEHS and the awardees in the creation of model worker safety and health training programs. Substantial programmatic involvement by NIEHS program staff will ensure that there is no duplication of effort or overlap in worker safety and health training delivery and program development among the awardees. o In order to provide consistent use and delivery of existing curricula for high quality worker safety and health training, the NIEHS program administrator will ensure that there will be close coordination among awardees, other state and federal governmental agencies, and other training providers. Such program coordination between NIEHS and the awardees will make maximum use of worker safety and health training materials and curricula that have already been developed, evaluated, and used. Training materials developed by the awardees will be submitted for review by NIEHS for consistency, appropriateness and technical accuracy before the initiation of worker safety and health training activities. o To facilitate exchange and coordination between awardees and the Institute, NIEHS will convene and sponsor a two-day meeting for the program director who represents each awardee. In addition, it is anticipated that awardees under this program will meet at least twice annually to review progress, share information, discuss technical issues, and to coordinate training activities. o The NIEHS will provide ongoing technical assistance through arrangement of technical workshops related to the substantive technical issues that affect the program. These technical workshops will bring together program directors from each awardee and the relevant technical experts from a number of scientific fields involved in hazardous waste, occupational health, environmental health sciences, and adult education. Examination of training technologies and technical issues specific to the program will be developed and coordinated through biannual technical workshops. o To assure that the training programs developed will comply with all applicable federal safety and health regulations, NIEHS will assist the awardees through continual liaison with other Federal regulatory agencies. Operational monitoring by NIEHS program staff will ensure that awardees are in compliance with Federal statutory requirements regulating worker safety and health training activities. For example, the currently proposed OSHA regulation for accreditation of hazardous waste training programs (29 CFR 1910.121) could significantly affect NIEHS supported worker training program when the OSHA regulations become effective. o NIEHS program staff will coordinate overall program evaluation to show the impact of the training on improving work practices, reducing work related injury and illness and to document the increased understanding of relevant environmental health sciences by workers involved in environmental cleanups, hazardous waste management and emergency response to chemical releases. While each awardee must have its own evaluation program, NIEHS staff will assess the overall effectiveness of the training programs in terms of the nation's needs and in relation to the target populations identified by Congress in SARA Section 126 and related statutes referenced above. o The NIEHS will maintain a National Clearinghouse for Worker Safety and Health Training for Hazardous Materials, Waste Operations and Emergency Response to assist awardees by providing information and technical support services to the program directors of NIEHS funded hazardous materials, waste operations, and emergency response worker training programs. The Clearinghouse will also function as a national resource for dissemination to the general public of program- related information and curricula materials developed by the awardees. o When agreement regarding program activities cannot be reached between the awardee and the NIEHS program administrator, an arbitration panel composed of one member of the awardee group, one NIEHS nominee, and a third member with appropriate expertise chosen by the other two members will be convened. The panel will receive written explanations of the disagreement from all parties, review relevant documents, interview representatives of the parties and render an opinion regarding resolution of the dispute. These special arbitration procedures in no way effect the awardee's right to appeal an adverse action in accordance with PHS regulations at 42 CFR Part 50, Subpart D, and HHS regulations at 45 CFR Part 16. Terms of Cooperation: Responsibilities of Awardees It is the responsibility of each awardee to develop the details of the training plan, which will be required to describe the technical approaches, target population access and recruitment, curricula modification, training methodology, and program evaluation procedures. Awardees must also express agreement in their application to abide by the Terms of Cooperation as stated below. o Awardees under this program are required to meet at least twice annually to review progress, share information, and to coordinate training activities. Since awards may be made to institutions that are unfamiliar with NIH grant assistance procedures, business officials will be expected to meet at least annually to review NIH grant management policies. o Awardees must budget funds for appropriate staff, including business officials, to attend the initial two day meeting, and for each year of assistance, one meeting in Research Triangle Park, NC, one meeting at a site determined by the program administrator for program review. Applicants should also budget funds for the appropriate business official to attend an annual grant management policy update meeting at a site to be determined by the NIEHS program administrator. o Awardees under this program must submit draft copies of training manuals, instructor guides, course curricula and other materials developed for use in training activities supported by NIEHS to the program administrator, in order to receive technical comments and suggestions regarding the adequacy, technical accuracy and suitability of materials to be used for worker safety and health training. Final copies of all materials developed with support from NIEHS will be transmitted by the awardees to the National Clearinghouse for Worker Safety and Health Training for Hazardous Materials, Waste Operations and Emergency Response and made available to the general public, subject to any specific legal caveats on use or copyright protection. o Each awardee must submit an annual progress report to the NIEHS program administrator, which describes the number, location and nature of all training activities and the characteristics of the trainees reached during a particular fiscal year. o Results and findings from training program evaluations must be summarized by each awardee and submitted to the NIEHS program administrator on an annual basis. Program evaluation reports will quantitatively describe the current status of instructor effectiveness, trainee retention of knowledge and skills, and positive impacts of training activities on work practices, workplace safety and health conditions, and overall worker protection from on the job hazards. o Each awardee must budget funds to participate annually in two technical workshops, which will be sponsored and planned by the NIEHS program administrator. The technical workshops will present relevant and topical information to assure the continued high quality of worker safety and health training activities carried out by the awardees and encourage the exchange of significant information regarding effective training techniques and approaches. o Each awardee will be required to convene a Board of Advisors representing user populations, labor, industry, governmental agencies, academic institutions or professional associations with interest and expertise in worker health and safety training related to hazardous materials and waste operations and emergency response. The Board of Advisors must meet annually to evaluate training activities and provide advice to the program director. o Each awardee will retain custody of and primary rights to the data and the curricula materials developed under these awards, subject to appropriate Government rights of access consistent with current HHS, PHS and NIH policies. LETTER OF INTENT Prospective applicants are asked to submit, by November 18, 1994, a letter of intent that includes a descriptive title including the identity of the targeted populations to be trained, the name, address and telephone number of the Principal Investigator, the identities of other key personnel and participating institutions, and the number and title of the RFA in response to which the application may be submitted. Although a letter of intent is not required, is not binding, and does not enter into the review of the subsequent application, the information that it contains allows NIEHS staff to estimate the potential review workload and to avoid conflict of interest in the review. The letter of intent is to be sent to: Ethel B. Jackson, D.D.S. Division of Extramural Research and Training National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences P.O. Box 12233 Research Triangle Park, NC 27709 Telephone: (919) 541-7826 FAX: (919) 541-2503 APPLICATION PROCEDURES The research grant application form PHS 398 (rev. 9/91) is to be used in applying for these grants. These forms are available at most institutional offices of sponsored research; from the Office of Grants Information, Division of Research Grants, National Institutes of Health, 5333 Westbard Avenue, Room 449, Bethesda, MD 20892-4500, telephone 301-710-0267; and from the program administrator listed under INQUIRIES. Since this form is used primarily for traditional NIH research assistance, several sections must be modified and expanded to provide essential information needed for worker training assistance applications. Special instructions for Worker Training applications are available from the Program Administrator, Worker Training and Education Program, NIEHS, at the address listed below. Applicants are required to indicate in the application how they intend to implement the Terms of Cooperation stated in this RFA, which are a condition of award. The RFA label available in the PHS 398 (rev. 9/91) must be affixed to the bottom of the face page of the application. Failure to use this label could result in delayed processing of the application such that it may not reach the review committee in time for review. In addition, the RFA title and number must be typed on line 2a of the face page of the application form and the YES box must be marked. Submit a signed, typewritten original of the application, including the Checklist, and three signed, photocopies in one package to: Division of Research Grants National Institutes of Health Westwood Building, Room 240 Bethesda, MD 20892-4500** At the time of the submission, two additional copies must be sent to: Ethel Jackson, D.D.S. Division of Extramural Research and Training National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences P. O. Box 12233 104 T. W. Alexander Drive Research Triangle Park, NC 27709 Applications must be received at NIEHS and DRG by the close of business January 20, 1995 to ensure review. If an application is received after that date, it will be returned to the applicant without review. Copies sent to the Division of Research Grants must clearly indicate that two copies have also been sent directly to NIEHS. This is a modification of current instructions for submission of form PHS 398. REVIEW CONSIDERATIONS Applications will be administratively reviewed by NIH staff for completeness and responsiveness to this RFA. Applications found to be incomplete or nonresponsive to this RFA will be returned to the applicant without further consideration. Applications that are complete and responsive to this RFA will be evaluated for scientific and technical merit by an appropriate peer review group convened by the NIEHS in accordance with the review criteria stated below. The committee will be composed primarily of non-government members with expertise in occupational health and safety training related to hazardous materials, waste operations and emergency response. The second level of review will be conducted by the National Advisory Environmental Health Sciences Council. As part of the initial merit review, a process (triage) may be used by the initial review group in which applications will be determined to be competitive or non-competitive based on their scientific merit relative to other applications received in response to the RFA. Applications judged to be competitive will be discussed and be assigned a priority score. Applications determined to be non- competitive will be withdrawn from further consideration and the Principal Investigator and the official signing for the applicant organization will be notified. Review Criteria Applications will be evaluated on the following factors: 1. Methods and techniques to be used for identifying, describing, and accessing target specific worker populations for worker health and safety training and anticipated impact of the proposed program. o Applicants must identify, describe, and fully document access to specific target worker populations, whether organized or not, that are engaged in hazardous materials and waste operations and transportation and related emergency response. o This information must include size of the target population, worker profiles, trades and job categories to be trained, geographic locations of workers and degree of worker health and safety training already received. o Applicants must provide assurances of access to these workers for training and delineate the target populations with respect to each of the statutory authorities referenced above for EPA, DOE and DOT. 2. Evidence of the organization's performance and effectiveness in planning, implementing, and operating appropriate worker health and safety training and education programs. o Evidence should include demonstrated past success in development and implementation of worker health and safety training and education programs and application of appropriate adult education techniques. o Evidence should include documentation of the program's achievement of compliance with the requirements of the NIEHS Minimum Criteria for Worker Health and Safety Training for Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response. 3. Adequacy of the detailed program plan for worker health and safety training in adapting existing curricula, training of instructors, distributing course materials, direct worker training, and conducting program evaluations. o The plan must include information on the number of students to be trained, number of training classes to be held, duration of training, appropriate adult education techniques to be employed, and course content. o Plans for hands on demonstration and instruction must be provided as well as plans for monitoring student's progress and performance. o The plan will include involvement of appropriate health and safety disciplines. o The plan must identify and describe the curriculum to be used. 4. Evidence of appropriate combinations of classroom instruction and hands on demonstration and instruction which simulates site activities and conditions. o It is intended that offsite instruction funded by the NIEHS assistance program will be supplemented with onsite training under the direct supervision of trained, experienced personnel at the time of initial job assignment. o Appropriate adult education techniques must be applied. o Both initial and appropriate refresher training will be covered. 5. Ability to immediately initiate direct worker health and safety training, program evaluation, and related support activities. 6. Evidence of an experienced Program Director with demonstrated capacity for providing leadership and assuring productivity of appropriate worker health and safety training and education programs. o The Program Director will have overall responsibility for general operation of the training program including quality assurance and program evaluation. 7. Evidence of the technical and professional expertise of present or proposed staff appropriate for worker health and safety training and education. o Such expertise will be evaluated by resumes, minimum position qualifications and position descriptions. o Sufficient program staff with demonstrated training experience using appropriate adult education techniques to assure effective direct training, and quality assurance. o Availability and continuing access to appropriate technical expertise including but not limited to adult education techniques for workers, toxicology and industrial hygiene must be available. 8. Evidence of management and procedures to effectively achieve elements of the worker health and safety training program. o Details on how the proposed program fits in with existing organizational structure, if applicable. o Provide an organizational chart of the proposed program. 9. Availability of appropriate facilities and equipment to support the described worker health and safety training and education activities including hands on instruction. o Operation of training facilities must assure the protection of prospective trainees during program delivery. o Appropriate policies and procedures for assuring fitness for training and medical clearance, assuring the provision of first aid and emergency medical services and the implementation of high quality site safety and health plans must be included. 10. Evidence of methods proposed for evaluating appropriateness, quality, impact and effectiveness of worker health and safety training. o This should include student feedback mechanisms, review of course critiques and Board of Advisors evaluations and other appropriate evaluations and quality assurance procedures. 11. Feasibility of plans for independently continuing the program. o Plans for generation of program income, if applicable. o Plans for institutionalization of the program. o Other applicable procedures for assuring the long-term viability of the program. 12. Plans for reaching underserved worker populations especially those disadvantaged in education, culture, or language or limited in literacy and access to training. o Evidence of mechanisms to assure the inclusion of institutions and organizations that have historical involvement and expertise in responding to environmental justice issues and can augment the delivery of high quality training to promote toxic use reduction, emergency preparedness in the community, chemical process safety and pollution prevention. 13. Evidence of an appropriate Board of Advisors. o The members of the board should represent user populations, labor, industry, governmental agencies, academic institutions or professional associations with interest and expertise in worker health and safety training related to hazardous materials and waste operations and emergency response. o Plans should show that the Board will meet regularly to evaluate training activities and will develop formal procedures to provide advice to the Program Director. 14. Reasonableness of the requested operating budget in relation to proposed program activities for worker health and safety training. 15. Methods proposed for administrative management. o Applicants must demonstrate ability to maintain satisfactory management and accounting systems to control funds and expenditures. o Develop flow chart or description of financial management and fiscal accountability procedures. 16. Adequacy of prior awardees' progress. o Demonstration of meeting established terms and conditions of prior awards. o Demonstration of attainment of program goals and objectives of prior awards. 17. For applicants for Minority Worker Training awards, provide evidence and documentation of mechanisms for accessing minority worker trainees and creating employment linkages with environmental restoration contractors and hazardous materials employers. AWARD CRITERIA Because the funding level of this program may vary from that authorized, actual award levels for approved and funded applications will be based on program balance, coverage of target populations and the availability of funds, in addition to the technical merit considerations of the review process. INQUIRIES Inquiries regarding this RFA are encouraged. The NIEHS welcomes the opportunity to clarify any issues or questions from potential applicants. Direct inquiries regarding programmatic issues to: Denny Dobbin Worker Education and Training Program National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences 111 Alexander Drive, MD WC-04 Research Triangle Park, NC 27709-2233 Telephone: (919)-541-0752 FAX: (919) 541 0462 Email: dobbin@niehs.nih.gov Direct inquiries regarding fiscal matters to: Dorothy Williams Grants Management Branch National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences 111 Alexander Drive, MD 2-01 Research Triangle Park, NC 27709-2233 Telephone: (919) 541-2749 FAX: (919) 541-2860 Email: williams@niehs.nih.gov AUTHORITY AND REGULATIONS This program is described in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance, No. 93.142, Superfund Worker Training Grants. Awards will be made under the authority of the Public Health Service Act, Title III, Section 301 (Public Law 78 410, as amended; 42 USC 241) and Section 126(g) of the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986 and administered under PHS grants policies and Federal Regulations 42 CFR Part 52 and 45 CFR Part 74. This program is not subject to the intergovernmental review requirements of Executive Order 12372 or Health Systems Agency review. The program is administered according to 42 CFR 45 Part 74 and Part 92, DHHS Administration of Grants; 42 CFR Part 65, Special Regulations for National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences Hazardous Waste Worker Training; the PHS Grants Administration Manual; and PHS Grants Policy Statement. The Public Health Service (PHS) strongly encourages all grant recipients to provide a smoke-free workplace and promote the non-use of all tobacco products. This is consistent with the PHS mission to protect and advance the physical and mental health of the American people. .
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