816 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 5 / Monday, January 8, 2018 / Notices 

Background and Brief Description 

The mission of the National Institute 

for Occupational Safety and Health 

(NIOSH) is to promote safety and health 

at work for all people through research 

and prevention. The study will be 

conducted by NIOSH under the Federal 

Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977, 

Public Law 91–173 as amended by 

Public Law 95–164. Title V, Section 501 

(a) states NIOSH has the responsibility 

to conduct research ‘‘to improve 

working conditions and practices in 

coal or others mines, and to prevent 

accidents and occupational diseases 

originating in the coal or other mining 

industry (Federal Mine and Safety and 

Health Act, 1977, Title V, Sec. 501).’’ 

Striking, pinning and crushing 

injuries are serious concerns in 

underground coal mining, especially 

around mobile equipment. Between 

2010 and 2014 powered haulage 

accounted for 24 of the 110 

underground coal fatalities. During that 

same time period, the Mine Safety and 

Health Administration (MSHA) 

determined that up to nine of these 

fatalities were striking, pinning, or 

crushing accidents, which may have 

been prevented by proximity detection 

systems on coal haulage machines or 

scoops. Following the final rule 

requiring proximity detection systems 

on continuous mining machines, on 

September 2, 2015, MSHA published a 

proposed rule requiring proximity 

systems on mobile machines in 

underground coal mines. Though it is 

still under development, MSHA 

reported that by June of 2015, 155 of 

approximately 2,116 coal haulage 

machines and scoops had been 

equipped with proximity detection 

systems. However, in recent discussions 

with NIOSH personnel, some mine 

operators have disclosed suspending the 

use of proximity detection systems on 

mobile equipment due to challenges 

integrating the systems into daily 

operations. This has further prompted 

concerns about how proximity detection 

systems are being utilized. 

The goal of this study is to reduce the 

risk of traumatic injuries and fatalities 

among mine workers through assessing 

the current state of proximity systems 

for underground mobile equipment. 

NIOSH is seeking a one-year OMB 

approval in order to collect information 

to address two key questions: (1) In 

which situations do proximity detection 

systems on mobile haulage hinder 

normal operation? (2) In which 

situations do proximity detection 

systems on mobile haulage endanger 

miners? Data will be used to inform the 

development of technologies, 

engineering controls, administrative 

controls, best practices, and training 

approaches that eliminate striking 

fatalities and injuries caused by mobile 

mining equipment. 

The study population includes mine 

workers in various maintenance and 

production roles that work in 

underground coal mines in the United 

States. Total annual time burden for this 

study is 45 hours, including recruitment 

of mines and 250 semi-formal 

interviews. Since workers will continue 

to perform their assigned duties during 

the optional group observations, a 

burden estimate was not calculated for 

this activity. 

ESTIMATED ANNUALIZED BURDEN HOURS

Type of respondents Form name Number of 

respondents 

Number of 

responses per 

respondent 

Average 

burden per 

response 

(in hours) 

Mine Operators ............................................... Mine Recruitment Scripts ............................... 12 1 15/60 

Crew members ................................................ Interview Protocol ........................................... 250 1 10/60 

Leroy A. Richardson, 

Chief, Information Collection Review Office, 

Office of Scientific Integrity, Office of the 

Associate Director for Science, Office of the 

Director, Centers for Disease Control and 

Prevention. 

[FR Doc. 2018–00140 Filed 1–5–18; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE P 

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND 

HUMAN SERVICES 

Centers for Disease Control and 

Prevention 

[30Day–18–1061] 

Agency Forms Undergoing Paperwork 

Reduction Act Review 

In accordance with the Paperwork 

Reduction Act of 1995, the Centers for 

Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) 

has submitted the information 

collection request titled Behavioral Risk 

Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) to 

the Office of Management and Budget 

(OMB) for review and approval. CDC 

previously published a ‘‘Proposed Data 

Collection Submitted for Public 

Comment and Recommendations’’ 

notice on October 16, 2017 to obtain 

comments from the public and affected 

agencies. CDC received one comment 

related to the previous notice. This 

notice serves to allow an additional 30 

days for public and affected agency 

comments. 

CDC will accept all comments for this 

proposed information collection project. 

The Office of Management and Budget 

is particularly interested in comments 

that: 

(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. Direct 

written comments and/or suggestions 

regarding the items contained in this 

notice to the Attention: CDC Desk 

Officer, Office of Management and 

Budget, 725 17th Street NW, 

Washington, DC 20503 or by fax to (202) 

395–5806. Provide written comments 

within 30 days of notice publication. 

Proposed Project 

Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance 

System (BRFSS) (OMB Control Number 

0920–1061, Expiration Date 3/31/ 


sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES
Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 5 / Monday, January 8, 2018 / Notices 817 

2018)—Revision—National Center for 

Chronic Disease Prevention and Health 

Promotion, Centers for Disease Control 

and Prevention (CDC). 

Background and Brief Description 

CDC is requesting Office of 

Management and Budget (OMB) 

approval to continue information 

collection for the Behavioral Risk Factor 

Surveillance System (BRFSS) for the 

period of 2018–2021. The BRFSS is a 

nationwide system of cross-sectional 

telephone health surveys administered 

by health departments in states, 

territories, and the District of Columbia 

(collectively referred to here as states) in 

collaboration with CDC. 

The BRFSS produces state-level 

information primarily on health risk 

behaviors, health conditions, and 

preventive health practices that are 

associated with chronic diseases, 

infectious diseases, and injury. 

Designed to meet the data needs of 

individual states and territories, the 

CDC sponsors the BRFSS information 

collection project under a cooperative 

agreement with states and territories. 

Under this partnership, BRFSS state 

coordinators determine questionnaire 

content with technical and 

methodological assistance provided by 

CDC. For most states and territories, the 

BRFSS provides the only sources of data 

amenable to state and local level health 

and health risk indicator uses. Over 

time, it has also developed into an 

important data collection system that 

federal agencies rely on for state and 

local health information and to track 

national health objectives such as 

Healthy People. 

CDC bases the BRFSS questionnaire 

on modular design principles to 

accommodate a variety of state-specific 

needs within a common framework. All 

participating states are required to 

administer a standardized core 

questionnaire, which provides a set of 

shared health indicators for all BRFSS 

partners. The BRFSS core questionnaire 

consists of fixed core, rotating core, and 

emerging core questions. Fixed core 

questions are asked every year. Rotating 

core questions cycle on and off the core 

questionnaire during even or odd years, 

depending on the question. Emerging 

core questions are included in the core 

questionnaire as needed to collect data 

on urgent or emerging health topics 

such as influenza. 

In addition, the BRFSS includes a 

series of optional modules on a variety 

of topics. In off years, when the rotating 

questions are not included in the core 

questionnaire, they are offered to states 

as an optional module. This framework 

allows each state to produce a 

customized BRFSS survey by appending 

selected optional modules to the core 

survey. States may select which, if any, 

optional modules to administer. As 

needed, CDC provides technical and 

methodological assistance to state 

BRFSS coordinators in the construction 

of their state-specific surveys. The CDC 

and BRFSS partners produce a new set 

of state-specific BRFSS questionnaires 

each calendar year (i.e., 2016 BRFSS 

questionnaires, 2017 BRFSS 

questionnaires, etc.). CDC submits an 

annual Change Request to OMB that 

outlines updates to the BRFSS core 

survey and optional modules that have 

occurred since the previous year. Each 

state administers its BRFSS 

questionnaire throughout the calendar 

year. 

The current estimated average burden 

for the core BRFSS interview is 15 

minutes. For the optional modules, the 

estimated average burden per response 

varies by state and year, but is currently 

estimated at an additional 15 minutes. 

Finally, the BRFSS allows states to 

customize some portions of the 

questionnaire through the addition of 

state-added questions, which CDC does 

not review nor approve. State-added 

questions are not included in CDC’s 

burden estimates. 

CDC periodically updates the BRFSS 

core survey and optional modules as 

new modules or adopt emerging core 

questions. The purpose of this Revision 

request is to extend the information 

collection period for three years and to 

incorporate field-testing into the 

approved information collection plan. 

Field-testing is the final check of 

changes in the questionnaire, which 

have occurred in the preceding year. 

Researchers conduct field-testing in a 

manner that mimics the full-scale 

project protocol, to the degree that is 

feasible. Field-testing allows for 

necessary changes in data collection 

methods and data collection software. 

Researchers use field tests to identify 

problems with instrument 

documentation or instructions, 

problems with conditional logic (e.g., 

skip patterns), software errors or other 

implementation and usability issues. 

Researchers conduct field-testing with 

all new modules, emerging core 

questions, sections, which precede and/ 

or follow any new or changed items and 

extant sections, which are topically 

related. Researchers also conduct this 

testing to identify redundant and 

overlapping questions. Extant sections 

of the questionnaire unrelated to new 

items do not require testing. The 

demographic questions on the core 

BRFSS survey are included on each 

field test. CDC will submit change 

requests to OMB annually to gain 

approval to implement modifications 

identified in field tests. Researchers 

typically conduct field tests in a single 

state with appropriate computerassisted telephone interview (CATI) 

capability. Individuals who participate 

in field testing are drawn from a 

different sample than individuals who 

participate in the BRFSS surveys. 

Participation is voluntary and there is 

no cost to participate. The average time 

burden per response will be 22 minutes. 

The total time burden across all 

respondents will be approximately 

241,519 hours. 

The public comment received to date 

requested that BRFSS be modified to 

include more questions about tobacco 

use, including use of newer nicotinedelivery devices. Because BRFSS 

follows the design and development 

process described above, CDC cannot 

unilaterally change the topical content 

of BRFSS and no change has been made 

to the 2018 questionnaire. 

ESTIMATED ANNUALIZED BURDEN HOURS

Type of respondents Form name Number of 

respondents 

Number of 

responses per 

respondent 

Average 

burden per 

response 

(in hours) 

U.S. General Population ................................. Landline Screener .......................................... 375,000 1 1/60 

Cell Phone Screener ...................................... 292,682 1 1/60 

Field Test Screener ........................................ 900 1 1/60 

Annual Survey Respondents (Adults >18 

Years).

BRFSS Core Survey ...................................... 480,000 1 15/60 

BRFSS Optional Modules .............................. 440,000 1 15/60 


sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES
818 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 5 / Monday, January 8, 2018 / Notices 

ESTIMATED ANNUALIZED BURDEN HOURS—Continued 

Type of respondents Form name Number of 

respondents 

Number of 

responses per 

respondent 

Average 

burden per 

response 

(in hours) 

Field Test Respondents (Adults >18 Years) .. Field Test Survey ........................................... 500 1 45/60 

Leroy A. Richardson, 

Chief, Information Collection Review Office, 

Office of Scientific Integrity, Office of the 

Associate Director for Science, Office of the 

Director, Centers for Disease Control and 

Prevention. 

[FR Doc. 2018–00142 Filed 1–5–18; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4163–18–P 

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND 

HUMAN SERVICES 

Centers for Disease Control and 

Prevention 

[Docket No. CDC–2018–0001] 

CDC Sex-Specific Body Mass Index 

(BMI)-For-Age Growth Charts 

AGENCY: Centers for Disease Control and 

Prevention (CDC), Department of Health 

and Human Services (HHS). 

ACTION: Notice with comment period. 

SUMMARY: The National Center for 

Health Statistics (NCHS), Centers for 

Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in 

the Department of Health and Human 

Services (HHS) announces the opening 

of a docket to obtain public comment on 

the production of sex-specific body 

mass index (BMI)-for-age growth charts 

for children and adolescents aged 2–19 

years specifically designed for tracking 

extremely high values of BMI. The 2000 

CDC growth charts include sex-specific 

BMI-for-age percentile charts based on 

data representative of the United States 

(US) population from the National 

Health Examination Survey (NHES) and 

National Health and Nutrition 

Examination Survey (NHANES). In US 

children and adolescents, obesity is 

defined as at or above the sex-specific 

95th percentile on the CDC BMI-for-age 

growth charts. Severe obesity is often 

defined as at or above 120% of the sexspecific 95th percentile on the CDC 

BMI–for-age growth charts. Currently, 

the highest percentile displayed is the 

97th percentile. Therefore, it is difficult 

to assess changes in weight status in 

children with very high BMIs that 

exceed this level. The new charts will 

provide additional lines representing 

120%, 130%, 140%, and 150% of the 

95th percentile. The intent of these 

charts is to provide a mechanism for 

documenting BMI percentiles for 

children and adolescents with severe 

obesity in both clinical and research 

settings. 

DATES: Written comments must be 

received on or before March 9, 2018. 

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, 

identified by Docket No. CDC–2018– 

0001 by any of the following methods: 

• Federal eRulemaking Portal: http:// 

www.regulations.gov. Follow the 

instructions for submitting comments. 

• Mail: Verita C. Buie, DrPH, Office of 

Planning, Budget, and Legislation, 

National Center for Health Statistics, 

Centers for Disease Control and 

Prevention, 3311 Toledo Road, MS–08, 

Hyattsville, MD 20782. 

Instructions: All submissions received 

must include the agency name and 

Docket Number. All relevant comments 

received will be posted without change 

to http://regulations.gov, including any 

personal information provided. For 

access to the docket to read background 

documents or comments received, go to 

http://www.regulations.gov. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Cynthia Ogden, Ph.D., Division of 

Health and Nutrition Examination 

Survey, National Center for Health 

Statistics, 3311 Toledo Road, MS–P08, 

Hyattsville, MD 20782–2064, phone: 

(301) 458–4405. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The 

National Center for Health Statistics 

(NCHS) is congressionally mandated by 

the National Health Survey Act of 1956 

to monitor the health of the nation. The 

National Health and Nutrition 

Examination Survey (NHANES), part of 

NCHS, is a nationally representative 

health survey designed to assess the 

health and nutritional status of adults 

and children in the United States. The 

survey is unique in that it combines 

interviews with physical examinations 

and laboratory studies. NHANES data 

are used throughout Department of 

Health and Human Services (HHS) 

agencies in addition to public health 

researchers world-wide. NHANES data 

have been used to determine national 

obesity estimates, produce pediatric 

growth and BMI charts, and monitor 

prevalence of infectious diseases such 

as the human papillomavirus (HPV). 

Body mass index (BMI) is calculated 

as weight in kilograms divided by 

height in meters squared and is used in 

the diagnosis, clinical management, and 

estimation of population prevalence of 

obesity and severe obesity. Among 

adults, obesity is defined by an absolute 

BMI value (≥30). Among children, BMI 

varies with age as well as sex. Therefore, 

to classify obesity among children and 

adolescents aged 2–19 years, 

measurements are standardized by age 

and sex using BMI-for-age growth 

charts. The 2000 CDC growth charts 

include smoothed percentiles of BMIfor-age based on data representative of 

the US population. In the US, obesity is 

defined as at or above the sex-specific 

95th percentile for BMI-for-age. 

However, categorizing severe obesity 

(defined in adults as BMI≥40) is 

problematic given specific measures are 

not available in standard CDC growth 

charts for values beyond the 97th 

percentile. Researchers have proposed 

using percent of the 95th percentile as 

a flexible, stable measure for extreme 

BMI values. Consequently, severe 

obesity in children is often defined as a 

BMI at or above 120% of the sexspecific 95th percentile of BMI-for-age. 

Prevalence of severe obesity has 

increased among children and 

adolescents and very high BMI has been 

shown to increase risk for obesity in 

adulthood in addition to adverse health 

outcomes such as diabetes, abnormal 

cholesterol levels, and high blood 

pressure and behavioral health and 

social victimization impacts. Recent 

research has focused on effective 

management and treatment of children 

and adolescents with severe obesity, but 

researchers and clinicians lack a tool to 

determine BMI percentiles for these 

individuals. Specialized growth charts 

with lines reflecting 120%, 130%, 140% 

and 150% will provide an improved 

tool for documenting BMI in the clinical 

and research settings. Please see the 

draft example chart for boys 

(Attachment 1) and girls (Attachment 2). 

Date: January 2, 2018. 

Lauren Hoffmann, 

Acting Executive Secretary, Centers for 

Disease Control and Prevention. 

[FR Doc. 2018–00060 Filed 1–5–18; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4163–18–P 


sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES