### 51336 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 167 / Thursday, August 28, 2014 / Notices

and redirect resources and efforts to improve or maintain a high quality of service to the lay and health professional public. Estimated Annual Respondent Burden

Exhibit 1 shows the estimated total burden hours for the respondents. Mail surveys are estimated to average 15 minutes, telephone surveys 40 minutes, web-based surveys 10 minutes, focus groups two hours, and in-person interviews are estimated to average 50 minutes. Mail surveys may also be sent to respondents via email, and may include a telephone non-response follow-up. Telephone non-response follow-up for mailed surveys does not count as a telephone survey. The total burden hours for the 3 years of the clearance is estimated to be 10,150 hours.

Exhibit 2 shows the estimated cost burden for the respondents. The total cost burden for the 3 years of the clearance is estimated to be $340,127.



### E XHIBIT 

### 1—E STIMATED 

### B URDEN 

### H OURS 

### OVER 

### 3 Y EARS

Type of information collection Number of respondents Number of responses per

respondent Hours per response Total burden hours

Mail/email * ............................................................................... 15,000 1 15/60 3,750 Telephone ................................................................................ 600 1 40/60 400 Web-based ............................................................................... 15,000 1 10/60 2,500 Focus Groups .......................................................................... 1,500 1 2.0 3,000 In-person .................................................................................. 600 1 50/60 500

Total .................................................................................. 32,700 na na 10,150
* May include telephone non-response follow-up in which case the burden will not change.



### E XHIBIT 

### 2—E STIMATED 

### C OST 

### B URDEN 

### OVER 

### 3 Y EARS

Type of information collection Number of respondents Total burden hours Average hourly wage rate * Total cost burden

Mail/email ................................................................................. 15,000 3,750 $33.51 $125,663 Telephone ................................................................................ 600 400 33.51 13,404 Web-based ............................................................................... 15,000 2,500 33.51 83,775 Focus Groups .......................................................................... 1,500 3,000 33.51 100,530 In-person .................................................................................. 600 500 33.51 16,755

Total .................................................................................. 32,700 10,150 na 340,127
* Based upon the average wages for 29–000 (Healthcare Practitioner and Technical Occupations), ‘‘National Compensation Survey: Occupational Wages in the United States, May 2009.’’ U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Request for Comments

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act, comments on AHRQ’s information collection are requested with regard to any of the following: (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of AHRQ healthcare research and healthcare information dissemination functions, including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of AHRQ’s estimate of burden (including hours and costs) of the proposed collection(s) of information; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information upon the respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized and included in the Agency’s subsequent request for OMB approval of the proposed information collection. All comments will become a matter of public record. Dated: August 20, 2014. Richard Kronick,

Director.
[FR Doc. 2014–20420 Filed 8–27–14; 8:45 am]

**BILLING CODE 4160–90–M**

**DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES** 

**Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality** 

**Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection;**  **Comment Request**

**AGENCY :**  Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, HHS.

**ACTION :**  Notice.

**SUMMARY :**  This notice announces the intention of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) to request that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approve the proposed information collection project: ‘‘Generic Clearance for Questionnaire and Data Collection Testing, Evaluation, and Research for the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.’’ In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act, 44 U.S.C. 3501–3520, AHRQ invites the public to comment on this proposed information collection.

This proposed information collection was previously published in the Federal Register on May 29th 2014 and allowed 60 days for public comment. One comment was received. The purpose of this notice is to allow an additional 30 days for public comment.

**DATES :**  Comments on this notice must be received by September 29, 2014.

**ADDRESSES :**  Written comments should be submitted to: Doris Lefkowitz, Reports Clearance Officer, AHRQ, by email at doris.lefkowitz@AHRQ.hhs.gov

.

Copies of the proposed collection plans, data collection instruments, and specific details on the estimated burden can be obtained from the AHRQ Reports Clearance Officer.

**FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT :**  Doris Lefkowitz, AHRQ Reports Clearance Officer, (301) 427–1477, or by email at doris.lefkowitz@AHRQ.hhs.gov

. **SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION :** 


### 51337 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 167 / Thursday, August 28, 2014 / Notices

Proposed Project Generic Clearance for Questionnaire and Data Collection Testing, Evaluation, and Research for the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) requests that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) reinstate generic pre-testing clearance 0935–0124 for three years to facilitate AHRQ’s efforts to (1) employ evaluation-type methods and techniques to improve AHRQ’s current data collection and estimation procedures, (2) develop new collections and procedures, including toolkits, and (3) revise existing collections and procedures. AHRQ uses techniques to simplify data collection and estimation procedures, reduce respondent burden, and improve efficiencies to meet the needs of individuals and small business respondents who may have reduced budgets and staff. AHRQ believes that developing, testing, and evaluating data collection and estimation procedures using survey methods and othertechniques in anticipation of agencysponsored studies can improve its information collection efforts and the products it develops and allow AHRQ to be more responsive to fast-changing developments in the healthcare research field.

This clearance request is limited to research on data collection, toolkit development, and estimation procedures and reports and does not extend to the collection of data for public release or policy formation. The current clearance was granted on May 27th, 2011 and expires on May 31st,
2014.

This generic clearance will allow AHRQ to draft and test toolkits, survey instruments and other data collection and estimation procedures more quickly and with greater lead time, thereby managing project time more efficiently and improving the quality of the data AHRQ collects. In some instances, the ability to test and evaluate toolkits, data collection and estimation procedures in anticipation of work or early in a project may result in the decision not to proceed with additional activities, thereby saving both public and private resources and effectively eliminating respondent burden.

Many of the tools AHRQ develops are made available to the private sector to assist in improving health care quality. The health and health care environment changes rapidly and requires a quick response from AHRQ to provide refined tools. This generic clearance will facilitate AHRQ’s response to this changing environment.

These preliminary research activities will not be used by AHRQ to regulate or sanction its customers. They will be entirely voluntary and the confidentiality of respondents and their responses will be preserved. Proposed information collections submitted under this generic clearance will be reviewed and acted upon by OMB within 14 days of submission to OMB.

Method of Collection

The information collected through preliminary research activities will be used by AHRQ to employ techniques to (1) improve AHRQ’s current data collection and estimation procedures, (2) develop new collections and procedures, including toolkits, and (3) revise existing collections and procedures in anticipation or in response to changes in the health or health care field. The end result will be improvement in AHRQ’s data collections and procedures and the quality of data collected, a reduction or minimization of respondent burden, increased agency efficiency, and improved responsiveness to the public.
Estimated Annual Respondent Burden

Exhibit 1 shows the estimated burden hours, over the full 3 years of this clearance, for the respondents’ time to participate in the research activities that may be conducted under this generic clearance. Mail surveys will be conducted with about 6,000 persons (2,000 per year for 3 years) and are estimated to average 20 minutes. Mail surveys may also be sent to respondents via email, and may include a telephone non-response follow-up. Telephone non-response follow-up for mailed surveys is not counted as a telephone survey in Exhibit 1. Not more than 600 persons, over 3 years, will participate in telephone surveys that will take about 40 minutes. Web-based surveys will be conducted with no more than 3,000 persons and will require no more than 10 minutes to complete. About 1,500 persons will participate in focus groups which may last up to two hours, while in-person interviews will be conducted with 600 persons and will take about 50 minutes. Automated data collection will be conducted for about 1,500 persons and could take up to 1 hour. Cognitive testing will be conducted with about 600 persons and is estimated to take 11/2 hours to complete. The total burden over 3 years is estimated to be 8,900 hours (about 2,967 hours per year).

Exhibit 2 shows the estimated cost burden over 3 years, based on the respondents’ time to participate in these research activities. The total cost burden is estimated to be $298,239.



### E XHIBIT 

### 1—E STIMATED 

### B URDEN 

### H OURS 

### OVER 

### 3 Y EARS

Type of information collection Number of respondents Number of responses per

respondent Hours per response Total burden hours

Mail/email * ............................................................................... 6,000 1 20/60 2,000 Telephone ................................................................................ 600 1 40/60 400 Web-based ............................................................................... 3,000 1 10/60 500 Focus Groups .......................................................................... 1,500 1 2.0 3,000 In-person .................................................................................. 600 1 1.0 600 Automated ** ............................................................................ 1,500 1 1.0 1,500 Cognitive Testing *** ................................................................ 600 1 1.5 900

Totals ................................................................................ 13,800 na na 8,900

* May include telephone non-response follow-up in which case the burden will not change ** May include testing of database software, CAPI software or other automated technologies. *** May include cognitive interviews for questionnaire or toolkit development, or ‘‘think aloud’’ testing of prototype Web sites

.


### 51338 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 167 / Thursday, August 28, 2014 / Notices

E XHIBIT 

### 2—E STIMATED 

### C OST 

### B URDEN 

### OVER 

### 3 Y EARS

Type of information collection burden Number of respondents Total burden hours Average hourly wage rate * Total cost

Mail/email ................................................................................. 6,000 2,000 $33.51 $67,020 Telephone ................................................................................ 600 400 $33.51 $13,404 Web-based ............................................................................... 3,000 500 $33.51 $16,755 Focus Groups .......................................................................... 1,500 3,000 $33.51 $100,530 In-person .................................................................................. 600 600 $33.51 $20,106 Automated ................................................................................ 1,500 1,500 $33.51 $50,265 Cognitive Testing ..................................................................... 600 900 $33.51 $30,159

Totals ................................................................................ 13,800 8,900 na $298,239

* Based upon the average wages for 29–000 (Healthcare Practitioner and Technical Occupations), ‘‘National Compensation Survey: Occupational Wages in the United States, May 2009,’’ U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Request for Comments

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act, comments on AHRQ’s information collection are requested with regard to any of the following: (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of AHRQ healthcare research and healthcare information dissemination functions, including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of AHRQ’s estimate of burden (including hours and costs) of the proposed collection(s) of information; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information upon the respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized and included in the Agency’s subsequent request for OMB approval of the proposed information collection. All comments will become a matter of public record.

Dated: August 20, 2014. Richard Kronick,

Director.
[FR Doc. 2014–20421 Filed 8–27–14; 8:45 am]

**BILLING CODE 4160–90–M**

**DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES** 

**Centers for Disease Control and Prevention** 

**[30Day–14–0260]**

**Agency Forms Undergoing Paperwork Reduction Act Review** 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has submitted the following information collection request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The notice for the proposed information collection is published to obtain comments from the public and affected agencies.

Written comments and suggestions from the public and affected agencies concerning the proposed collection of information are encouraged. Your comments should address any of the following: (a) Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) Evaluate the accuracy of the agencies estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (c) Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; (d) Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses; and (e) Assess information collection costs.

To request additional information on the proposed project or to obtain a copy of the information collection plan and instruments, call (404) 639–7570 or send an email to omb@cdc.gov. Written comments and/or suggestions regarding the items contained in this notice should be directed to the Attention: CDC Desk Officer, Office of Management and Budget, Washington, DC 20503 or by fax to (202) 395–5806. Written comments should be received within 30 days of this notice. Proposed Project

Health Hazard Evaluations/Technical Assistance and Emerging Problems (0920–0260, Expiration 11/30/2014)— Revision—National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Background and Brief Description

The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 and the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977, mandates the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) respond to requests for health hazard evaluations (HHE) to identify chemical, biological or physical hazards in workplaces throughout the United States. Each year, NIOSH receives approximately 300 such requests. Most HHE requests come from the following types of companies: service, manufacturing, health and social services, transportation, construction, agriculture, mining, skilled trade and construction.

A printed HHE request form is available in English and in Spanish. The form is also available on the Internet and differs from the printed version only in format and in the fact that it can be submitted directly from the Web site. The request form takes an estimated 12 minutes to complete. The form provides the mechanism for employees, employers, and other authorized representatives to supply the information required by the regulations governing the NIOSH HHE program (42 CFR 85.3–1).

If employees are submitting the form, it must contain the signatures of three or more current employees. However, regulations allow a single signature if the requestor: is one of three (3) or fewer employees in the process, operation, or job of concern; or is any officer of a labor union representing the employees for collective bargaining purposes. An individual management official may request an evaluation on behalf of the employer. The information provided is used by NIOSH to determine whether there is reasonable cause to justify conducting an investigation and provides a mechanism to respond to the requestor.