[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 94 (Monday, May 16, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 29748-29749]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-10413]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

[Docket Number CDC-2022-0066, NIOSH-346]


Draft National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health 
(NIOSH) Healthcare Personal Protective Technology (PPT) Targets for 
2020 to 2030; Request for Comment

AGENCY: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Department of 
Health and Human Services (HHS).

ACTION: Request for information and comment.

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SUMMARY: The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health 
(NIOSH) in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an 
Operating Division of the Department of Health and Human Services 
(HHS), announces the availability of a draft document entitled DRAFT 
NIOSH Healthcare Personal Protective Technology (PPT) Targets for 2020 
to 2030 (Draft PPT Targets) now available for public comment.

DATES: Electronic or written comments must be received by July 15, 
2022.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by CDC-2022-0066 and 
docket number NIOSH-346, by either of the following methods:
    <bullet> Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
    <bullet> Mail: National Institute for Occupational Safety and 
Health, NIOSH Docket Office, 1090 Tusculum Avenue, MS C-34, Cincinnati, 
Ohio 45226-1998.
    Instructions: All information received in response to this notice 
must include the agency name and docket number (CDC-2022-0066; NIOSH-
346). All relevant comments, including any personal information 
provided, will be posted without change to https://www.regulations.gov. 
Do not submit comments by email. CDC does not accept comments by email. 
For access to the docket to read background documents or comments 
received, go to https://www.regulations.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Susan M. Moore, NIOSH NPPTL, 
Building 141, 626 Cochrans Mill Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15236; Telephone: 
412-386-6111.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Reflecting on the nation's past decade of 
experiences with infectious diseases (e.g., influenza, Ebola virus 
disease, and coronavirus disease) and non-infectious hazards (e.g., 
antineoplastic and other hazardous drugs), the National Institute for 
Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recognizes a growing need for 
its unique capabilities related to PPT research, development, 
performance standards and test methods, and conformity assessment. In 
response to this growing need, NIOSH established DRAFT Healthcare PPT 
Targets for 2020 to 2030.
    Background: The health and welfare of 18 million U.S. healthcare 
personnel (HCP) is an important priority for NIOSH and CDC. NIOSH's 
mission is to protect the U.S. workforce from injury and illness via 
scientific research, practice interventions, and collaborative 
partnerships. While infection prevention and control efforts favor the 
role of engineering and administrative measures over PPT, PPT plays an 
important role in preventing transmission of infectious diseases. PPT 
includes personal protective equipment (PPE) worn by individuals (e.g., 
respirators; protective clothing; gloves, eye, fall and hearing 
protection; and hard hats) and technical methods (e.g.,

[[Page 29749]]

fit testing methods), processes, techniques, tools, and materials that 
support the development and use of PPE worn by individuals.
    In 2006, the NIOSH Personal Protective Technology Laboratory 
(NPPTL) began an initiative to develop and execute a comprehensive 
strategic approach to HCP protection. The resulting NIOSH Healthcare 
PPT Action Plan focused resources on and raised awareness about the PPT 
needs of HCP during a potential influenza pandemic. NIOSH undertook a 
research agenda to advance clinical practices, drive performance 
standards development, and inform regulation. In addition, NIOSH 
carried out an information dissemination program to apprise healthcare 
organizations and HCP about the roles and importance of PPE in 
protecting themselves. The Action Plan has been updated several times 
since its inception. The most recent plan (2013-18) focused on PPE used 
to reduce exposures to viral respiratory pathogens, including the 
influenza virus.
    Reflecting on the nation's past decade of experiences with 
infectious diseases (e.g., influenza, Ebola, and coronavirus) and non-
infectious hazards (e.g., antineoplastic and other hazardous drugs), 
NIOSH recognizes a growing need for its unique capabilities related to 
PPT research, development, performance standards and test methods, and 
conformity assessment. To respond to this growing need, NIOSH developed 
DRAFT NIOSH Healthcare PPT Targets for 2020 to 2030 (Draft PPT 
Targets), which have informed NIOSH's PPT efforts since 2020. The 
public health response to the COVID-19 pandemic has delayed NIOSH's 
efforts to obtain public input on the PPT Targets; NIOSH will finalize 
the PPT Targets after receipt of the requested public input. To view 
the Draft PPT Targets, please visit https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npptl/hospresptoolkit/DraftHealthcarePPT.html.
    Information Needs: Additional data and information are needed to 
assist with finalizing the Draft PPT Targets. Interested persons or 
organizations are invited to submit applicable materials, including 
published and unpublished reports and research findings, that NIOSH may 
consider to:
    <bullet> Align its activities with other national efforts related 
to PPT;
    <bullet> Coordinate and prioritize NIOSH targets with complementary 
efforts by other entities;
    <bullet> Explore opportunities to collaborate with other entities;
    <bullet> Determine the level of effort needed to address specific 
targets;
    <bullet> Explore additional or alternative technical approaches; 
and
    <bullet> Explore additional knowledge gaps requiring support until 
2030.
    Disclaimer: This notice is intended for planning purposes; it does 
not constitute a formal announcement for comprehensive applications. In 
accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation 48 CFR 15.201(e), 
responses to this notice are not offers and cannot be accepted by the 
Government to form a binding award. NIOSH will not provide 
reimbursement for costs incurred in commenting on this notice. NIOSH 
will not respond to individual public comments or publish publicly a 
compendium of responses. An informational submission in response to 
this notice does not create any commitment by or on behalf of CDC or 
HHS to develop or pursue any program or ideas discussed.

John J. Howard,
Director, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
[FR Doc. 2022-10413 Filed 5-13-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P