HAZARDOUS MATERIALS WORKER HEALTH AND SAFETY TRAINING Release Date: August 12, 1999 RFA: ES-99-009 National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences Letter of Intent Receipt Date: September 10, 1999 Application Receipt Date: November 19, 1999 PURPOSE The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) invites applications for cooperative agreements to support the development of model programs for the training and education of 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 the training of 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 contaminated facilities or chemical emergency response. A variety of sites, such as those involved with chemical waste clean up and remedial action and transportation related chemical emergency response may pose severe health and safety concerns to workers and the surrounding communities. These sites 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 development of institutional competency to provide appropriate model training and education programs to hazardous materials and waste workers. HEALTHY PEOPLE 2000 The Public Health Service (PHS) is committed to achieving the health promotion and disease prevention objectives of "Healthy People 2000," a PHS led national activity for setting priority areas. This RFA, Hazardous Materials Worker Health and Safety Training, is related to the priority areas of occupational health and environmental health. Further information regarding the updating of Healthy People 2000 can be obtained from the Web site at http://odphp.osophs.dhhs.gov/pubs/hp2000/default.htm. Potential applicants may also obtain a copy of "Healthy People 2000" (Full Report: Stock No. 017- 001-00474-0) through the Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402-9325 (telephone 202-783-3238). ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS Applicants must be domestic nonprofit organizations that demonstrate 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 nonprofit organization providing worker health and safety education and training may apply. Minority individuals, disabled persons and women are encouraged to apply as Principal Investigators, as well as Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU s) and other minority institutions and organizations. Nonprofit 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 nonprofit status must be provided with the application for assistance. Awardees may use services, as appropriate, of other organizations, public or private, necessary to develop, administer, or evaluate proposed worker training programs. All provisions of the National Institutes of Health Grants Policy Statement will apply to awards made by NIEHS for this program. This information is available at http://www.nih.gov/grants/policy/nihgps. MECHANISM OF SUPPORT Awards will be made as cooperative agreements (U-45) for a period of up to five years from FY 2000 through 2004. Funds for these awards will include $20 million from the EPA (for hazardous waste operations and emergency response), $3 million from the EPA (for minority worker training) and $3 million from the EPA (for brownfields training), which are transferred to NIEHS through Interagency Agreements. The administrative and funding instrument used for this program is a cooperative agreement U45, an "assistance" mechanism (rather than an "acquisition" mechanism) in which substantial NIH scientific and/or programmatic involvement with the awardee is anticipated during performance of the activity. Under the cooperative agreement, the NIH purpose is to support and/or stimulate the recipient's activity by involvement in and otherwise working jointly with the award recipient in a partner role, but it is not to assume direction, prime responsibility, or a dominant role in the activity. Consistent with this concept, the dominant role and prime responsibility for the activity resides with the awardee(s) for the project as a whole, although specific tasks and activities in carrying out the studies will be shared among the awardees and the NIEHS Program Administrator. 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 and conditions. 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. Annual renewal will be based on availability of funds, NIEHS staff review of progress toward achieving training objectives, compliance with the terms and conditions of awards and submission of copies of all training and educational materials used under the award to NIEHS. The awards will include funding for targeted training to specific populations that have been identified in the respective authorizing statutes for this program. FUNDS AVAILABLE Superfund authorization expired in 1994 and since that time the WETP has been operating under the authority granted by annual appropriations. The FY 1999 appropriated level for this program is $26 million. The NIEHS is uncertain at this time about the status of reauthorization of this Program, and, therefore, as to future funding levels. Nonetheless, actual amounts will be appropriated each year according to the Federal budget process. Because the funding level of this Program may vary from year to year, actual award levels for approved and funded applications will be based on Program balance and the availability of funds, in addition to the scientific merit considerations of the review process. Projected funding of $26 million at the currently authorized levels for FY 2000 will be awarded to support model programs for targeted training. During FY 2000, NIEHS plans to fund between 15 and 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, 2000. Funds for these awards will include $20 million from the hazardous waste operations and emergency response), $3 million for minority worker training and $3 million for brownfields training. BACKGROUND INFORMATION 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. 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. 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) in fiscal years 1992, 1993, and 1994 for $20 million each year making a total of $60 million over the period. In addition to the $20 million for Superfund worker training which is appropriated to EPA on an annual basis, an additional $3 million was added to support the development of pilot projects for minority worker training which is targeted to young people in environmentally-contaminated communities and $3 million to support training and job development activities at designated Brownfields cleanup and redevelopment sites. 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. Further information about OSHA resources and interpretations of HAZWOPER training requirements can be found at: http://www.osha-slc.gov/SLTC/hazardouswaste/index.html. In addition to the statutory authority in SARA, Congress also passed the Hazardous Materials Transportation Uniform Safety Act of 1990 (HMTUSA PL 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. Under Section 118 of HMTUSA, authority for NIEHS to develop a new hazmat employee training assistance program is established and applicable training requirements were established. These regulations are available at http://hazmat.dot.gov/regs/rules.htm. 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 Environmental Protection Agency (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 Department of Transportation (49 CFR 171-177). These model-training programs for hazardous waste workers and emergency responders satisfied the minimum requirements as specified in Federal OSHA rules and other related regulations that have been or may be promulgated. The training programs 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 was also be given to the 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. DESCRIPTION OF THE PROGRAMS Hazardous Waste Worker Training Program (HWWTP) The Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986 (SARA) authorized an assistance program for training and education of workers engaged in activities related to hazardous waste removal, containment and emergency response. The NIEHS hazardous materials worker training program are cooperative agreements from qualified domestic nonprofit organizations with demonstrated access to appropriate worker populations and have experience in implementing and operating model worker health and safety education training programs for hazardous materials or waste workers. Through the encouragement of multi-state, university-based consortiums and the development of national non-profit organizations which have focused on specific workforce sectors, this HWWTP has established technically-proficient curriculum materials and quality-controlled course presentations. These courses have been delivered to hazardous waste workers and emergency responders in every region of the country and have established new national benchmarks for quality worker safety and health training. The program also has represented a major prevention education activity for NIEHS as technical scientific and basic research information is delivered to target populations with high-risk toxic exposures. During the first eleven years of the Superfund Worker Training Program (FY 87-98), the NIEHS has successfully supported a total of twenty primary awardees. These represent over ninety different institutions that have trained over 730,000 workers across the country and presented nearly 38,000 classroom and hands-on training courses, which have accounted for over 11.0 million contact hours of actual training. During the first five years of the NIEHS Superfund Worker Training Program (WETP), the sixteen (16) initial awardees developed curriculum and started training programs throughout the country to help employers meet OSHA training requirements under 29 CFR 1910.120, Hazardous Waste Operations & Emergency Response. The model program encourages innovation for training difficult-to- reach populations by addressing issues such as literacy, appropriate adult education techniques, training quality improvement and other areas unaddressed directly by the marketplace. The program enhances rather than replaces private sector training responsibility by demonstrating new and cost-effective training techniques and materials. In order to develop a better understanding of the labor market for hazardous waste workers, NIEHS contracted to study the labor market associated with hazardous waste cleanup work. This study is available at http://204.177.120.20/wetp/clear/resource/minimum.htm. Based on the actual experience at a number of hazardous waste sites across the nation, on-site remedial action alone will require between 1990-2010 three million job years, or 4.5 billion hours, of labor. Site operations and maintenance work will require another one billion labor hours. Using the report’s projections from EPA and DOE data, remediation job demand is expected to grow by 60 percent, or almost 300,000 jobs, from the 1990-1995 five year period through the five year period 1995-2000 -- from 447,000 to 740,000. Demand for jobs continues to grow by nearly another 300,000 in the 2000-2005 time interval. During this peak period nearly 2 million jobs will require workers. As many as 7.5 million more workers will require training -- either basic or refresher. Demand remains high from 2005-2010 and then begins to taper off -- with a rather optimistic assumption that most cleanup activities will be completed in 25 to 30 years. During 1991, Congress reauthorized the Superfund Program and extended the NIEHS worker training program for an additional three-year period (9-1-92 through 8-31-94). After soliciting new applications through a November 1991 Federal Register announcement and a lengthy review by committees of outside experts and other federal agencies, in the resulting competition NIEHS announced eighteen (18) awards in September 1992 with over 70 participating institutions in this program. This new support expands the scope of NIEHS- supported training to include workers involved in generating and transporting hazardous materials and wastes, oil spill cleanup workers and workers involved in the cleanup of nuclear weapons facilities. In 1995, NIEHS conducted another competition and made 18 awards for the HWWT, for a five year period (1995-2000). Training delivery has been carried out in all regions of the country to all relevant target populations regulated under 29 CFR 1910.120. The primary worker training awardees, in conjunction with over seventy collaborating institutions, have delivered 4,810 courses, reaching 84,261 workers, which account for 1,090,790 contact hours of health and safety training during this period. This training ranges from 4-hour refresher programs through more complex train-the-trainer courses lasting up to 120 hours in duration. Between September 1, 1997 and August 31, 1998, 54% of the training has been focused on delivering CERCLA cleanup worker training. This comprises 34,537 workers who received 80-hour training, basic 40-hour training or 4-8 hour refresher courses out of the annual total of workers reached by the program. More information about the awardees and descriptions of the programs can be found at http://www.niehs.nih.gov/wetp/epa.htm. Minority Worker Training Program (MWTP) The Minority Worker Training Program was established in September 1995 to provide a series of national pilot programs to test a range of strategies for the recruitment and training of young persons. These are individuals who live near hazardous waste sites or in the community at risk of exposure to contaminated properties with the specific focus to obtain work in the environmental field. This new pilot program represents a broad geographic spread and reaches several urban populations in high risk contaminated areas. These environmental career-oriented projects are developed within the context of other social and health needs of the community. The different programs provide pre-employment job training, including literacy, life skills, environmental preparation and other related courses construction skills training; environmental worker training including hazardous waste, asbestos and lead abatement training; and safety and health training. Some training also includes enrollment in apprenticeship programs for construction and environmental remediation worker training. In addition, particular focus is placed on establishing a program of mentoring. This program help to enhance the participants problem solving skills, understanding of individual self- esteem and team work in the application of technical knowledge to environmental and related problems This program promotes partnerships or sub-agreements with academic and other institutions, with a particular focus on historically black colleges and universities, and public schools and community-based organizations located in or nearby the impacted area to provide pre-math, science or other related education to program participants prior to or concurrent with entry into the training program. The first cooperative agreements provided funding for seven programs to train minority inner city youth to enter the environmental field. The six current programs are Clark Atlanta University, Jackson State University, Laborers-AGC Education and Training Fund, Center to Protect Workers Rights, DePaul University, and the New Jersey/New York Consortium. The funding has been approximately $3 Million in Year 1, $2 Million in Year 2, $1.4 Million in Year 3, and $3 Million in Year 4. The descriptions of the MWTP can be found at http://www.niehs.nih.gov/wetp/mwtp.htm. Brownfields Minority Worker Training Program (BMWTP) As part of the Department of Health and Human Services commitment to the Brownfields National Partnership Agenda, the NIEHS has provided support for the establishment of the Brownfields Minority Worker Training Programs targeting the Showcase Communities. The strategy of this initiative is to broaden the NIEHS Minority Worker Training Program (MWTP) to include a new component on Brownfields Worker Training, addressing the need for a more comprehensive training program to foster economic and environmental restoration of the identified brownfield sites. Cleaning up the nation’s hazardous waste sites is an enormous undertaking, requiring the efforts of millions of workers and hundreds of billions of dollars. Recently, though, there has been a new surge of cleanup activities, which are assumed to be less intensive. Brownfield sites involve more than just the cleanup of hazardous waste. They represent the coming together of many factors -- environmental, economic, community empowerment, and environmental justice among them. As defined by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Brownfield sites are "abandoned, idled, or under-used industrial and commercial facilities where expansion or redevelopment is complicated by real or perceived environmental contamination." In June 1995, GAO estimated that there were between 130,000 and 450,000 Brownfield sites that will cost more than $650 billion to clean up. Others have estimated that there are currently 500,000 or more Brownfield sites across the United States and that the cost to clean up these sites is $600 billion. Additional information on the Brownfields Initiative can be found at http://www.epa.gov/brownfields. The need for specific health and safety training for the workers at the various sites across the US that require remediation/cleanup are numerous. The scope of environmental and public health risks identified at Superfund and other hazardous waste sites ranges from contaminated soil and air to hazardous exposures through the food chain. Due to the different types of sites and the regulations that require cleanup of these sites, the degree of training for workers in these surrounding communities represent an economic as well as environmental challenge. Information on brownfields and environmental cleanup can be found in the following document NIEHS Brownfields Report: "HazMat Cleanup, But More" at http://204.177.120.20/wetp/clear/resource/minimum.htm. In 1998, the NIEHS awarded, through an interagency agreement with the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), $3 Million for the development of brownfields environmental job training programs targeting people of color at 11 of the 16 Brownfields Showcase Communities. The 11 Communities are Lowell, MA; Chicago, IL; Kansas City, MO; Baltimore, MD; Eastward Ho!, FL; Dallas, TX; Los Angeles, CA; East Palo Alto, CA; Portland, OR; St. Paul, MN; and Salt Lake City, UT. The awardees for the Brownfields Minority Worker Training Program are Clark Atlanta University, Center to Protect Workers Rights, DePaul University and Laborers-AGC Education and Training Fund. A description of each of 4 programs is located at http://www.niehs.nih.gov/wetp/bfield.htm GENERAL TRAINING GOALS AND OBJECTIVES These training goals and objectives apply to all programs, however, there are specific goals and objectives restricted to the Minority Worker Training Program and the Brownfields Minority Worker Training. Applications which 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 a combination or all of the authorized NIEHS assistance programs through Hazardous Waste Worker Training Program, Minority Worker Training Program, and the Brownfields Minority Worker Training Program. 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 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. 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. 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. The immediate goal of worker health and safety training is educational in nature, designed to provide students with relevant information, program- solving skills, and the confidence needed to use these tools. Long-term goals of the model training programs should be to assure that workers become and remain active participants in determining and improving the health and safety conditions under which they work and that avenues for collaborative employer- employee relationships in creating safe workplaces are established. Worker safety and health training is adult-based, action-oriented, and result- centered. The goals and objectives of worker training focus on outcomes rather than on learning for its own sake. Workers come to training with a great volume of experience, and are, in many ways, the richest resources of a training class. Experience shows that successful adult education often emphasizes peer-sharing activities, such as problem-solving and simulation exercises, that tap the experience of the learner. Successful worker training often mirrors the way people learn at work from each other. After training, workers should be able to bring what they have learned in the classroom or work-site training back to their jobs. 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 nonprofit 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. Lacking the usual ability to rely on exposure monitoring or medical surveillance for ensuring the protection of workers, primary prevention of disease and injury among hazardous waste workers requires heavy reliance on use of engineering control methods, appropriate work practices and use of personal protective equipment such as respirators and protective clothing. These approaches are highly dependent on individual workers being knowledgeable in the use and application of these approaches and understanding their limitations. Therefore, training of hazardous waste and emergency response workers plays a critical role in prevention of injury and disease. The important role of worker training and education in prevention programs is recognized in OSHA substance-specific regulations such as those that apply to hazard communications, asbestos, lead, arsenic, and cotton dust. 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, programs such as effective train the trainer programs are encouraged. Programs targeted to multi-state and nationwide coverage to reach wider worker populations will be given preference in review and funding. Applications will not be considered that cover municipalities or other jurisdictions covering less than two states. Applicants are also encouraged to develop plans for independently continuing the program. A list of curricula developed by current NIEHS awardees (On the Web at http://204.177.120.20/forms/curricula/ in Adobe Acrobat format) and copies of the Minimum Criteria for Worker Health and Safety Training for Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (On the Web at http://204.177.120.20/wetp/clear/resource/mincrter.html) may be obtained from the: National Clearinghouse for Worker Safety and Health Training for Hazardous Materials, Waste Operations and Emergency Response 5107 Benton Avenue Bethesda, MD 20814 Tele: 301-571-4226 Fax: 301-897-5848 Email: chouse@dgsys.com or rra@dgs.dgsys.com Web Page: http://204.177.120.20/index.htm Copies of individual curricula developed by current awardees are available in the Clearinghouse reading room and may also be obtained from the Clearinghouse at the above address for the cost of reproduction and handling. NIEHS Focus on Health Disparities Health disparities exist between citizens of lower socioeconomic status (including minorities and other medically under-served citizens) and those more economically advantaged. The President has committed the Nation to eliminating such disparities while continuing the progress that has been made in improving the overall health of the American people. As the primary federal agency responsible for supporting research, prevention, and training efforts to reduce the adverse health impact of environmentally related diseases, the NIEHS seeks to expand its leadership role in addressing such conditions in socio-economically disadvantaged populations and in developing tools and strategies that will prove effective in eliminating health disparities. The NIEHS is committed to supporting research and training activities aimed at lessening the environmental health consequences associated with lower socioeconomic status. Activities conducted under this RFA should be consistent with Federal Executive Order No. 12898 entitled, "Federal Actions to Address Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations." To the extent practicable and permitted by law, applicants shall make achieving environmental justice part of their project's mission by identifying and addressing, as appropriate, disproportionately high and adverse human health effects of environmental contaminants on minority, low-income, and medically underserved communities, including African, Hispanic, Asian, and Native Americans. The complete text of the Federal Executive Order No. 12898 can be found at http://www.epa.gov/docs/oejpubs/execordr.txt.html. Additional information on the Environmental Justice Initiative in EPA's Waste Programs can be found at http://www.epa.gov/swerosps/ej. 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 community-based organizations from people of color communities may include the: o Adaptation of curricula to address health disparities and environmental justice concerns; o Development of training programs that outreach to environmentally disadvantaged groups and non-English speaking populations; and o 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. New Program Initiatives Due to the complexity and the number of new emerging training innovations and technologies occurring in the worker health and safety arena, NIEHS has identified several training opportunities that are specifically related to the advancement of the Worker Education and Training Program. It is important that these new emerging training technologies and approaches be woven and integrated into the framework of the program. NIEHS has learned that successful examples of training partnerships involve the creation of clear mechanisms for assuring avenues for input and collaboration by labor, management, local government officials and other stakeholders, as well as a vision for integrating training into other workplace programs and initiatives. In addition, it is clear that the context and technical approaches to safety and health training have undergone a rapid transition over the past decade, as computer and telecommunications technology have unleashed a wealth of technical information resources and established innovative modes of training development, delivery and evaluation. Below are lists of these innovations, many of which have grown out of NIEHS- sponsored technical workshops, with background information pertaining to these new concerns and how they relate to the overall Worker Education and Training Program. This list is provided to stimulate the thinking of potential awardees by illustrating various types of training innovations and showing its application, and potential linkages. This list is not intended to be complete, and investigators may study these and many other topics that meet the objectives of the RFA. o Targeted model training programs: Hazardous waste and emergency response workers represent a diverse training population ranging from technical/professional and supervisory personnel to trade and industrial workers. Because of this diversity, NIEHS and its awardees have needed to be innovative in designing their training programs. Over the last eleven years, several distinct models have emerged. They include: o Models for training a technical/professional audience - These models are designed for a more educated learning audience, perhaps more comfortable in a traditional classroom setting. Curriculum materials are comprehensive, including the development of instructor and student materials, slide and video presentations, site simulations, and hands on training. In addition, borrowing from the more participatory models described below, the technical training has been augmented with more interactive learning approaches to aid in effective problem analysis and problem solving. o Models for low literacy, limited English language fluency - These models utilized special learning materials and instructional techniques to effectively reach their training audience. These populations are often poorly served in the traditional training environment. Learning materials have been translated into appropriate languages and geared to the appropriate literacy level of the particular training population. In addition, these models utilize an interactive and participatory approach to learning rather than the more traditional lecture format. o Trade or occupation specific models - These models are tailored to specific occupations or trade involved in hazardous waste handling and emergency response (e.g. laborers, ironworkers, chemical workers). They include simulations or site specific problems encountered specifically by these specific trades or occupations. While trainees are exposed to all the core curriculum areas fundamental to hazardous wastes training, the curriculum also includes trade specific information. Some of these models utilize aspects of the train-the-trainer approach described below in order to maximize training resources and expand the programmatic reach of hazardous waste training. o Train-the-Trainer Models - These models are designed so that lay or worker/supervisor trainers can guide trainees (co-workers) through classroom activities and simulations, acting as facilitators. Curriculum materials include facilitator resource guides and student activities, including small group research, problem solving exercises, interactive video and hands-on activities (for example, proper use of respirators, spill response and simulated site cleanups). In addition, worker trainers may play critical roles in program evaluation and measuring the effectiveness of training impacts. o Training and integration with workplace safety and health programs Health and safety training is valuable as a key component of a comprehensive health and safety program and can be an important catalyst for assuring employee and employer involvement in illness and injury prevention. In most work places, workers ability to make changes or control health and safety hazards and risks is limited. Therefore, unless the training program is supported by a strong health and safety program, it can help workers do little more than understand how they and the organization might be able to improve conditions. The most effective health and safety training is integrated with comprehensive systems of safety. It helps workers to understand their roles within those systems and encourages their active participation in maintaining and strengthening those systems. On November 12-13, 1998, a National Technical Workshop was held in Silver Spring, Maryland at the George Meany Center to develop a consensus document Guidelines for Training in Support of Workplace Safety and Health Programs. The purpose of this guideline document is to provide a comprehensive source of guidance and information to aid employers, trainers, training providers, and training program developers in the development, delivery, evaluation and continual improvement of training to support and enhance workplace safety and health. Opportunities for including all stakeholders in an integrated workplace safety and health program will enhance the training component and enhance overall worker protection. Further information on this workshop report is available at http://204.177.120.20/wetp/clear/resource/minimum.htm. o Innovative technology deployment and training - In defining ways to inject health and safety considerations into the process of developing and deploying innovative technologies in the workplace, a key strategy is to create worker training opportunities when health and safety risks finally become the focus of attention. Far too often, even when the focus is brought to bear on health and safety, the risks addressed are those faced by the public, such as contaminated drinking water from a hazardous waste site. Little information has been developed regarding the safety and health hazards associated with environmental remediation technologies. Consequently, those tasked with technology selection often do not consider the safety and health implications of their decisions and the costs associated with the use of personal protective equipment (PPE), operator training, and the planning required to ensure the safe operation of potentially hazardous cleanup technologies. This is an important area for training development. Further information on NIEHS efforts in examining innovative technology and training is available from the report Innovative Technology Guidance Document: Remembering the Worker. This document is also available on the web at http://204.177.120.20/wetp/clear/resource/minimum.htm o Advanced training technology and distance learning - The development and application of advanced training technologies (ATT), which includes computer- based training (CBT), internet-based training (WBT), distance learning, teleconferencing, multimedia, and courseware applications, is advancing at an explosive rate as computer and communication technology advances continue. Through a recent workshop and technical report, NIEHS Worker Training Program has attempted to develop a framework for evaluating the deployment and application of ATT methods to Hazwoper and Hazmat safety and health training programs. This framework has considered specific media selection models, as well as the institutional capacity, cost, and effectiveness of adopting ATT methods. Important challenges for the future of ATT will include: the identification of issues involved in using virtual training instead of, or alongside hands-on training; the efficacy of new technologies in responding to the need to evaluate skills development and competency; developing effective programs to help instructors master new technologies; and evaluating the effectiveness of ATT methods. Further information regarding the Technical Workshop Report on ATT and Hazwoper Training is available at http://204.177.120.20/wetp/clear/resource/minimum.htm. o Training partnerships and building effective consortia - The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) workshop on "Successful Training Partnerships: Lessons Learned" brought representatives of industry, small business entrepreneurs, labor, academia, and government together to share the diverse nature of their partnerships and the details of how to make them work. Creative arrangements and traditional partnerships were both revealed, and there were lessons to be learned from all partnerships discussed. Defining the elements that are integral to forming successful training partnerships is a critical component of building an effective training program. As with many governmental and business collaborations, enlightened organizational self-interest is a critical feature for all partners. Only with a clear understanding of organizational goals and strengths in a partnership and clear mechanisms for defining the nature of collaboration can there be a win-win result for all parties, including the trainees. One common theme throughout the workshop was that partnerships are often difficult to start, are hard to nurture and grow, and are likely to have some rough stretches, even in the best of circumstances. Trust, honesty, and a commitment to cooperation seem to be the glue that holds partnerships together. Another useful ingredient for a successful, long-term partnership is continuing support from the "people at the top" or upper management. Further information on NIEHS training evaluation efforts is available from the workshop report: "Successful Training Partnerships: Lessons Learned." This document is available on the web at http://204.177.120.20/wetp/clear/resource/partnerships/partnerships_report.htm o Integration of worker health and safety training and job skills training Under the leadership of the Minority Worker Training Program, NIEHS has explored avenues for more effective linking of health and safety training with job skills training. A recent technical workshop, the Environmental Job Training Summit, has explored the opportunities for promoting these linkages. This Summit followed up the Environmental Job Training for Inner City Youth Technical Workshop held on January 5-6, 1995, at Cuyahoga Community College in Cleveland, Ohio explored opportunities, successes, and barriers that have occurred during the past ten years of the Superfund Worker Training Program, as well as the unique challenges that have been faced during the past two years of the Minority Worker Training Program (MWTP). The model of creating smoother connections in the environmental cleanup industry between training and jobs is a focal point of the success of the MWTP. Some of the strategies of this model are: creating and sustaining collaborative dialogue among various training organizations; exchanging ideas about training of special populations; establishing frameworks for strengthening other job training program by adding environmental training; and providing additional opportunities for growth for all worker training programs by partnering with community-based organizations. This document is available on the web at http://204.177.120.20/wetp/clear/resource/minimum.htm. o Community involvement and outreach initiative This component is a new outreach initiative to provide entry of a community contribution about worker training activities concerning contaminated sites and hazardous work environments. The primary objective of this component is to establish methods for linking members of a community, who are directly affected by adverse environmental conditions, with training organizations. The development of community-based strategies that will lead to pilots to address worker-training needs of the community is a fundamental part of this initiative. The program is designed to assist the development of new modes of communication through training that will ultimately lead to identifying community and worker concerns that can develop into collaborative partnerships. Some of these concerns may deal with general awareness level training, community right to know, general life skills training, environmental restoration training and emergency response training. Additionally, there should be a concentrated effort to identify possible exposures to community workers and residents, promote community strategies for prevention and intervention activities related to work injuries, and assist to facilitate other important sustainable approaches to job training that ensure worker health and safety is a top priority. An example of a community involvement focus is the Superfund Jobs Training Initiative which is described below. o Superfund Jobs Training Initiative - The Superfund Job Training Initiative (SuperJTI) is an EPA program designed to support job training programs in disadvantaged communities affected by nearby Superfund sites, and to encourage the employment of trainees at local site cleanups. The SuperJTI program was created as a result of the Agency’s growing sensitivity to the reality that many of the nation’s most contaminated sites are located in severely disadvantaged communities. The SuperJTI, a project of the Office of Community Involvement for the EPA Superfund Program, has partnered with the NIEHS Worker Education and Training Program to aid communities by training the local workforce to safely and actively participate in the cleanup of local hazardous waste sites. Special attention to the development of partnerships with EPA Regional Offices, community-based organizations and NIEHS training organizations are essential to this program. For more information about this initiative, go to http://www.epa.gov/superfund/tools/sfjti/index.htm . The above examples of training initiatives are only illustrative of the types of innovative training efforts that may be appropriate to the WETP and are not meant to be all-inclusive or restrictive. Nonetheless, it is important that investigators submitting an application under this RFA propose multidisciplinary approaches that are integrated and designed to produce results in the hazardous waste worker training area. Minority Worker Training Program Specific Goals and Objectives The continuation of the Minority Worker Training Program will maintain to focus on building strong training collaborative programs between worker training organizations, such as labor-based organizations, community-based organizations, and historically black universities and colleges. Special attention will be directed at programs that successfully integrate job skills training with worker health and safety training. Utilization of existing curricula is the preferred method for development of specific training under this program. Major program goals are: o Recruit target populations that are members of minority groups in the age range of 18-25 years old who live in urban areas near hazardous waste sites or in communities at risk of exposure to contaminated properties. These individuals must be unemployed or underemployed. o Develop a training plan for a five year period for training at urban areas across the country. Training can be provided for multiple locations during the five year period. o Train students in the skills and knowledge required for different career opportunities in environmental restoration. This experience should include the ability to: o conduct pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship programs for construction and environmental remediation worker training; o conduct mentoring programs aimed at assisting trainees in completing the training course; o conduct basic construction skills training as well as specialized training related to environmental clean-up; o conduct environmental worker training including hazardous waste, asbestos, lead abatement, and technician/sampling level training; and o conduct basic worker health and safety training. o Develop partnerships with local community-based organizations (as defined in the review criteria) to provide services such as: o literacy training and related academic courses in reading writing, and math; life skills training, problem solving skills, understanding of self-esteem and team work in the application of technical knowledge to environmental and related problems; and environmental preparation and other related training. o Develop formal arrangements with environmental clean-up contractors and hazardous materials employers for placing and keeping participants in environmental clean-up jobs. o Develop strategies for increasing retention of participants throughout the various phrases of the program. o Provide evaluation of the retention of participants in the training program, effectiveness of the training program and stability. o Develop a tracking program that describes the longevity of post-training employment of graduating training program participants, type of jobs, and specific types of sites where participants work. Brownfields Minority Worker Training Program Specific Goals and Objectives The Brownfields Minority Worker Training Program will focus on the development of specialized Minority Worker Training Programs that provide training to disadvantaged residents surrounding the approximately 300 Brownfields Assessment Pilots as listed by the US Environmental Protection Agency. Development of joint applications with the Minority Worker Training Program is required to receive funding under the Brownfields Minority Worker Training Program. Applicants must develop partnerships with two or more non-profit organizations with the MWTP in a single application. Every effort should be made to reduce duplication of efforts or overlap in training at the locations selected under this program as related to similar job training programs. NIEHS will not support the development of two programs such as the MWTP, BMWTP and the EPA Brownfields Job Training and Development Demonstration Pilots in the same geographic area. More information about the Brownfields Job Training and Development Demonstration Pilots can be found at http://www.epa.gov/swerosps/bf/job.htm Major program goals are: o Use the Minority Worker Training Program as a model to train and recruit community members for environmental job training opportunities associated with brownfield sites across the country. o Establish collaborative programs in the form of partnerships and sub- agreements with the Brownfields Assessment Demonstration Pilots to promote this initiative on the local level. There must evidence of partnership with organizations specifically the Brownfields Pilot Communities. A complete listing of eligibility Brownfields Pilots with descriptions of each program can be found at http://www.epa.gov/swerosps/bf/pilotlst.htm. o Provide training up to five (5) Brownfields pilots under one application. o Recruit minority program participants from all age groups. o Ensure that actual training activity occurs in a close proximity of the Brownfields Pilot Community such that extensive travel funds are not incurred for the purposes of administrating the program. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS Terms and Conditions of Award NIEHS will provide appropriate assistance, advice and guidance described below. The role of the NIEHS Program Administrator will be to facilitate, not to direct, the development of a high quality national worker training resource. These special Terms of Award are in addition to and not in lieu of otherwise applicable OMB administrative guidelines, HHS Grant Administration Regulations at 45 CFR Parts 74 and 92, and other HHS, PHS, and NIH Grant Administration policy statements The administrative and funding instrument used for this program is a cooperative agreement U45, an "assistance" mechanism (rather than an "acquisition" mechanism) in which substantial NIH scientific and/or programmatic involvement with the awardee is anticipated during performance of the activity. Under the cooperative agreement, the NIH purpose is to support and/or stimulate the recipient's activity by involvement in and otherwise working jointly with the award recipient in a partner role, but it is not to assume direction, prime responsibility, or a dominant role in the activity. Consistent with this concept, the dominant role and prime responsibility for the activity resides with the awardee(s) for the project as a whole, although specific tasks and activities in carrying out training activities will be shared among the awardees and the NIEHS Program Administrator. 1. Awardee Rights and Responsibilities Awardees have primary authorities and responsibilities to define objectives and approaches, and to plan, conduct, analyze, and publish results, interpretations, and conclusions of their studies and training activities. 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. o Awardees will be 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 are expected to meet at least annually to review NIH grant management policies. o Awardees 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 for NIEHS approval, 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 will 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 will be summarized by each awardee and submitted to the NIEHS Program Administrator on an annual basis. Program evaluation reports shall 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 shall 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 raining 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 is required to have one individual assigned the responsibility for information technology transfer and dissemination as the point of contact for the NIEHS Program Administrator. This person would ensure the effective communication and transfer of important training and administrative information to NIEHS and other appropriate audiences, including trainee tracking activities, computation and submittal of training data, coordination of special meetings/conferences, and other training activities conducted by the program. 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. 2. NIEHS Staff Responsibilities Specifically, the substantial programmatic involvement by the NIEHS Program Administrator 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 the NIEHS Program Administrator will assure that there is not duplication of efforts or overlap in worker safety and health training delivery and program development by 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 the NIEHS Program Administrator 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 NIEHS during the initial year, the NIEHS Program Administrator will convene and sponsor a two day working 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 Program Administrator will provide ongoing technical assistance to the awardees through arrangement of technical workshops related to the substantive technical issues that affect the program. Technical workshops will bring together program directors from each awardee with 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 which are specific to the program will be developed and coordinated through technical workshops, which will be held at least twice per fiscal year. o To assure that training programs which are developed with assistance from NIEHS will comply with all applicable federal safety and health regulations, the NIEHS Program Administrator will assist the awardees through continual involvement with other federal regulatory agencies. Operational monitoring by the NIEHS Program Administrator will ensure that awardees are in compliance with general federal statutory requirements regulating worker safety and health training activities. o The NIEHS Program Administrator will coordinate overall program evaluations 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, the NIEHS Program Administrator will strive to assess the overall effectiveness of the training programs supported under the cooperative agreements in terms of the nation's needs and in relation to the target populations identified by Congress in SARA Section 126 and related statutes which are referenced above. o NIEHS maintains 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 the dissemination to the general public of program related information and curricular materials that have been developed by the awardees. 3. Arbitration o When mutually acceptable agreement regarding program activities cannot be reached between the awardee and the NIEHS Program Administrator, an arbitration panel composed of one member nominated by the awardee recipient group, one NIEHS nominee, and a third member with appropriate expertise chosen by the other two members will be convened. The ad hoc 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. INFORMATIONAL MEETING A briefing for applicants will be held at NIEHS in RTP, NC on Friday, September 17, 1999 from 1-5 PM in Building 101, Conference Rooms A-B-C. A summary of responses from the briefing, all relevant information for potential applicants and Special Instructions will be available upon request from NIEHS (wetp@niehs.nih.gov) and will be posted on the NIEHS Worker Education and Training Program (WETP) home page at: http://www.niehs.nih.gov/wetp. LETTER OF INTENT Prospective applicants are asked to submit, by September 10, 1999, a brief letter of intent that includes a descriptive title of the proposed research, 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 subsequent application, the information that it contains allows NIEHS staff to estimate the potential review work load and to avoid conflict of interest in the review. Specific questions pertaining to this RFA can also be submitted to NIEHS at this time. The letter of intent is to be sent to: David Brown, M.P.H. Division of Extramural Research and Training National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences 111 Alexander Drive, MD EC-24 P.O. Box 12233 Research Triangle Park, NC 27709 Telephone: (919) 541-4964 FAX: (919) 541-2503 Email: brown4@niehs.nih.gov APPLICATION PROCEDURES Applications are to be submitted on the grant application for PHS 398 (rev. 4/98). Application kits are available at most institutional offices of sponsored research and may be obtained from the Division of Extramural Outreach and Information Resources, National Institutes of Health, 6701 Rockledge Drive, MSC 7910, Bethesda, MD 20892-7910, telephone 301/710-0267, email: GrantsInfo@nih.gov. The RFA Label and line 2 of the application should both indicate the RFA number. The RFA label must be affixed to the bottom of the face page. 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. The RFA label is available at: http://www.nih.gov/grants/funding/phs398/label-bk.pdf has been modified to allow for this change. Please note this is in pdf format. Submit a signed typewritten original of the application, including the checklist, and two (2) signed photocopies in one package to: CENTER FOR SCIENTIFIC REVIEW (CSR) NATIONAL INSTITUES OF HEALTH 6701 ROCKLEDGE DRIVE, ROOM 1040, MSC 7710 BETHESDA, MD 20892-7710 BETHESDA, MD 20817 (for express/courier service) No appendices should be submitted to the Center for Scientific Review. At the time of the submission, three (3) additional signed copies and five (5) copies of the appendices must be sent to: David P. Brown, M.P.H. Scientific Review Branch Division of Extramural Research and Training National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences P. O. Box 12233 79 T. W. Alexander Drive, 4401 Bldg. Mail Drop EC-24 Research Triangle Park, NC 27709 Telephone: (919) 541-4964 FAX: (919) 541-2503 Applications must be received at CSR by the close of business November 19, 1999 to ensure review. If an application is received after that date, it will be returned to the applicant without review. Copies sent to the NIH Center for Scientific Review should clearly indicate that three copies have been sent directly to NIEHS. This is a modification of current instructions for submission of Form PHS 398. REVIEW CONSIDERATIONS Upon receipt, applications and supporting material will be examined for completeness by the Center for Scientific Review, NIH. In addition, the Division of Extramural Research and Training (DERT), NIEHS will do an administrative review for completeness and responsiveness to the RFA; incomplete applications will be returned to the applicant without further consideration. The specific points of consideration are: (1) the appropriateness of the training plan proposed in regard to the mission of the NIEHS and the WETP; and (2) the general completeness of the application including responsiveness to programmatic requirements and the organizational adequacy for review (this includes scientific, technical, and budgetary considerations.) 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 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. Since these applications are complex, it is essential that applications be thoroughly prepared and that they be well organized in accordance with the guidelines. As part of the initial merit review, all applications will receive a written critique and undergo a review in which only those applications deemed to have the highest scientific merit will be discussed, assigned a priority score based on the technical merit of the overall application, and receive a second level review by the National Advisory Environmental Health Sciences (NAEHS) Council. It is important to note, peer review group members will examine proposed budgets closely. The peer review group may recommend adjustments, as judged appropriate, in the requested budgets and periods of support for the components of WETP applications that are deemed to have significant and substantial merit. Review Criteria The following factors shall be considered for review of all applications: 1) Evaluation of the 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, OSHA and DOT. 2) Evaluation 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 shall include involvement of appropriate health and safety disciplines. o The plan must describe a system for tracking trainee employment in hazmat- related jobs. 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 that 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 and the use of advanced training technologies as a program delivery component is encouraged. 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 experienced and technically qualified key personnel. o The Principal Investigator must demonstrate the capacity for providing leadership and assuring productivity of appropriate worker health and safety training and education programs and for overall management of the training programs including quality assurance and program evaluation. o Evidence of the technical, managerial and professional expertise of present or proposed key personnel. Such expertise will be evaluated by resumes, minimum position qualifications and position descriptions. o Evidence that the administrative official has experience or knowledge in the management of federal programs and will participate in program decisions should be contained in the application. o Evidence of 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. 7) Evaluation of an applicant’s organizational structure that provides adequate knowledge and oversight of resources and administrative management of the program. These should include: o Details on how the proposed program fits into existing organizational structure of the non-profit, if applicable. o Organization chart of the proposed program. o Details of an external board of advisors that represents 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, membership (proposed or invited) and minutes (if applicable) that show that the external board will meet regularly to evaluate training activities and will develop formal procedures to provide advice to the Program Director. o Demonstration of the ability to maintain satisfactory management and accounting systems to control funds and expenditures o Flow chart or description of financial management and fiscal accountability policies and procedures. 8) 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. 9) 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. 10) 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. 11) Evaluation of 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 which have historical involvement and expertise in responding to environmental justice issues. o A community outreach and involvement component which can augment the delivery of high quality training in order to promote toxic use reduction, emergency preparedness in the community, and community awareness of chemical process safety and pollution prevention. 12) Reasonableness of all direct cost categories requested in the budget and budget justification in relation to proposed program activities for worker health and safety training. 13) Adequacy of prior awardee’s progress in competitive renewals. o Demonstration of meeting established terms and conditions of prior awards. o Demonstration of attainment of program goals and objectives of prior awards. o Demonstration of ability to manage and expend funds in a timely manner in prior budget periods. 14) Evidence of inclusion of worker training initiatives and innovations. o The plan must integrate an appropriate mix of new program initiatives as listed in solicitation that meets the needs of each applicant’s target populations. The Minority Worker Training Program - In addition to the RFA review criteria #1-14 for all programs, the following review criteria are applicable to the MWT program: 1. Demonstration of applicants' ability to recruit workers from the target population for environmental clean-up jobs. 2. Experience in conducting effective jobs skills training and worker health and safety training programs for environmental clean-up. 3. Demonstration of partnerships or sub-agreements with local community groups, labor unions with apprenticeship programs, academic and other institutions, with a particular focus on historically black colleges and universities, and public schools located in or nearby an environmentally- impacted urban area to provide pre-math, science or other related education to program participants prior to, or concurrent with, entry into the training program. 4. Evidence of formal arrangements with environmental clean-up contractors and hazardous materials employers for placing and keeping participants in environmental clean-up jobs. 5. Evaluation of the retention of participants in the training program, effectiveness of the training program and stability and longevity of post- training employment of graduating training program participants. Brownfields Minority Worker Training Program - In addition to the criteria # 1-14 and the MWTP criteria, additional review criteria applicable to the BMWTP only are: 1. Demonstrate the sharing of resources with the MWTP 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. 2. Evaluation of the specific plans and mechanisms to implement the cooperative arrangements necessary for program integration and to insure effectiveness such as identifying specific expertise, facilities or services to be provided by each participating member. 3. Evaluation of the plans to identify the training populations being targeted by specifying discrete training plan and program resources. 4. Evaluate the plan to develop partnerships with EPA Brownfields Assessment Demonstration Pilots. 5. Evidence of connections with other job training and economic development programs such as Job Training and Partnership Acts, Welfare to Work, School to Work, Community College Programs, Community Development Programs and HUD Empowerment/Enterprise Program. 6. Evaluate the ability to track program participants for up to one year after completion of the program. 7. Evidence to specifically target cleanup contractors involved with Brownfields, state voluntary clean-up sites, and other contaminated urban sites. 8. Demonstrate that actual training activity occurs in a close proximity of the Brownfields Pilot Community such that extensive travel funds are not incurred for the purposes of administrating the program. 9. Evaluate the ability to track program participants for up to one year after completion of the program. Schedule Letters of Intent Receipt Date: September 10, 1999 Briefing for Applicants: September 17, 1999 Application Receipt Date: November 19, 1999 Secondary review by NAEHSC: May 16, 2000 Initiation of New Awards: September 1, 2000 AWARD CRITERIA Because the funding level of this program may vary from that appropriated, 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 NIEHS welcomes the opportunity to clarify any issues or questions from potential applicants concerning this RFA. Direct inquiries regarding programmatic issues to: Joseph Hughes, Director Worker Education and Training Program Division of Extramural Research and Training National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences 79 TW Alexander Drive, MD EC-25 Research Triangle Park, NC 27709-2233 Telephone: (919)-541-0217 Fax: (919) 541-0462 Email: hughes3@niehs.nih.gov Sharon Beard, Industrial Hygienist Worker Education and Training Program Division of Extramural Research and Training National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences 79 TW Alexander Drive, MD EC-25 Research Triangle Park, NC 27709-2233 Telephone: (919)-541-1863 Fax: (919) 558-7049 Email: beard1@niehs.nih.gov Direct inquiries regarding fiscal matters to: Dorothy Duke, Grants Management Officer Office of Program Operations Division of Extramural Research and Training National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences 79 TW Alexander Drive, MD EC-22 Research Triangle Park, NC 27709-2233 Telephone: (919) 541-2749 Fax: (919) 541-2860 Email: duke3@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 grant 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 PHS strongly encourages all grant and contract recipients to provide a smoke-free workplace and promote the non-use of all tobacco products. In addition, Public Law 103-227, the Pro-Children Act of 1994, prohibits smoking in certain facilities (or in some cases, any portion of a facility) in which regular or routine education, library, day care, health care or early childhood development services are provided to children. This is consistent with the PHS mission to protect and advance the physical and mental health of the American people.


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