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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