[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 201 (Tuesday, October 19, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 64357-64359]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-26249]
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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
Notice of Intent To Seek Approval To Renew an Information
Collection
AGENCY: National Science Foundation.
ACTION: Notice and request for comments.
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SUMMARY: The National Science Foundation (NSF) is announcing plans to
request clearance of this collection. In accordance with the
requirement of Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of
1995 (Pub. L. 104-13), we are providing opportunity for public comment
on this action. After obtaining and considering public comment, NSF
will prepare the submission requesting that OMB approve clearance of
this collection for no longer than 3 years.
DATES: Written comments on this notice must be received by December 20,
2010 to be assured of consideration. Comments received after that date
will be considered to the extent practicable.
For Additional Information or Comments: Contact Suzanne H.
Plimpton, Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation, 4201
Wilson Boulevard, Suite 295, Arlington, Virginia 22230; telephone (703)
292-7556; or send e-mail to [email protected]. You also may obtain a
copy of the data collection instrument and instructions from Ms.
Plimpton.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Title of Collection: Medical Clearance Process for Deployment to
Antarctica.
OMB Number: 3145-0177.
Expiration Date of Approval: January 31, 2011.
[[Page 64358]]
Type of Request: Intent to seek approval to renew an information
collection for three years.
Abstract
A. Proposed Project: All individuals who anticipate deploying to
Antarctica under the auspices of the United States Antarctic Program
and to certain regions of the Arctic are required to take and pass a
rigorous physical examination prior to deploying. The physical
examination includes a medical history, medical examination, a dental
examination and a psychological examination for those persons planning
to winter over in Antarctica. The requirement for this determination of
physical status is found in 42 U.S.C. 1870 (Authority) and 62 FR 31522,
June 10, 1997 (Source), unless otherwise noted. This part sets forth
the procedures for medical screening to determine whether candidates
for participation in the United States Antarctic [[Page 216]] Program
(USAP) are physically qualified and psychologically adapted for
assignment or travel to Antarctica. Medical screening examinations are
necessary to determine the presence of any physical or psychological
conditions that would threaten the health or safety of the candidate or
other participants or that could not be effectively treated by the
limited medical care capabilities in Antarctica or in Greenland.
(b) Presidential Memorandum No. 6646 (February 5, 1982) (available
from the National Science Foundation, Office of Polar Programs, Room
755, 4201 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA 22230) sets forth the National
Science Foundation's overall management responsibilities for the entire
United States national program in Antarctica. Section 107.(a) of Public
Law 98-373 (July 31, 1984; amended as Public Law 101-609--November 16,
1990) (available from the National Science Foundation, Office of Polar
Programs, Room 755, 4201 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA 22230) designates
the National Science Foundation as the lead agency responsible for
implementing Arctic research policy, and the Director of the National
Science Foundation shall insure that the requirements of section 108
are fulfilled.
B. Use of the Information:
1. Form NSF-1420, National Science Foundation--Polar Physical
Examination (Antarctica/Arctic/Official Visitors) Medical History, will
be used by the individual to record the individual's family and
personal medical histories. It is a nine-page form that includes the
individual's and the individual's emergency point-of-contact's name,
address, and telephone numbers. It contains the individual's email
address, employment affiliation and dates and locations of current and
previous polar deployments. It also includes a signed certification of
the accuracy of the information and understandings of refusal to
provide the information or providing false information. The agency's
contractor's reviewing physician and medical staff complete the
sections of the form that indicated when the documents were received
and whether or not the person qualified for polar deployment, in which
season and which location qualified to deploy and where disqualified,
the reasons.
2. Form NSF-1421, Polar Physical Examination--Antarctica/Arctic,
will be used by the individual's physician to document specific medical
examination results and the overall status of the individual's health.
It is a two-page form which also provides for the signatures of both
the patient and the examining physician, as well as contact information
about the examining physician. Finally, it contains the name, address
and telephone number of the agency's contractor that collects and
retains the information.
3. Form NSF-1422, National Science Foundation Polar Physical
Examination (Antarctica/Arctic/Official Visitors) Medical History
Interval Screening, has been discontinued. It was previously used to
document changes in family and personal history for those healthy
individuals who are under age 40 and had no adverse personal medical
information to report for the preceding year.
4. Form NSF-1423, Polar Dental Examination--Antarctica/Arctic/
Official Visitors, will be used by the examining dentist to document
the status of the individual's teeth and gums and to document when the
individual was examined. It will also be used by the contractor's
reviewing dentist to document whether or not the individual is dentally
cleared to deploy to the Polar regions.
5. Medical Waivers: Any individual who is determined to be not
physically qualified for polar deployment may request an administrative
waiver of the medical screening criteria. This information includes
signing a Request for Waiver that is notarized or otherwise legally
acceptable in accordance with penalty of perjury statutes, and
obtaining an Employer Statement of Support. Individuals on a case-by-
case basis may also be asked to submit additional medical documentation
and a letter from the individual's physician(s) regarding the
individual's medical condition and his or her suitability for Antarctic
deployment.
6. Other information requested: In addition to the numbered forms
and other information mentioned above, the USAP medical screening
package includes the following:
The Medical Risks for NSF-Sponsored Personnel Traveling to
Antarctica or Greenland
the NSF Privacy Notice
the NSF Medical Screening for Blood-Borne Pathogens/
Consent for HIV Testing
the NSF Authorization for Treatment of Field-Team Member/
Participant Under the Age of 18 Years. This form will only be sent to
the individuals who are under 18 years of age.
the Dear Doctor and Dear Dentist letters, which provide
specific laboratory and x-ray requirements, as well as other
instructions.
the influenza vaccination requirement letter.
7. There are two other, non-medical forms included in the mailing:
the Personal Information Form--NSF Form Number 1424
includes a Privacy Act Notice. This form is used to collect information
on current address and contact numbers, date and place of birth,
nationality, citizenship, emergency point of contact information,
travel dates, clothing sizes so that we may properly outfit those
individuals who deploy, work-site information and prior deployment
history.
the Participant Notifications--Important Notice for
Participants in the United States Antarctic or Arctic Program. These
forms provide information on the laws, of the nations through which
program participants must transit en route to Antarctica or Greenland,
regarding the transport, possession and use of illegal substances and
the possibility of criminal prosecution if caught, tried and convicted.
Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of
information varies according to the overall health of the individual,
the amount of research required to complete the forms, the time it
takes to make an appointment, take the examination and schedule and
complete any follow-up medical, dental or psychological requirements,
the method used to complete the forms and the completeness of the forms
submitted. The estimated time is up to six weeks from the time the
individual receives the forms until he or she is notified by the
contractor of their final clearance status. An additional period of up
to eight weeks may be required for the individual who was disqualified
to
[[Page 64359]]
be notified of the disqualification, to request and receive the waiver
packet, to obtain employer support and complete the waiver request, to
do any follow-up testing, to return the waiver request to the
contractor plus any follow-up information, for the contractor to get
the completed packet to the National Science Foundation, and for NSF to
make and promulgate a decision.
Respondents: All individuals deploying to the Antarctic under the
auspices of the United States Antarctic Program and certain Arctic
areas must complete these forms. There are approximately 3,000
submissions per year, with a small percentage (c.3%) under the age of
40 who provide annual submissions but with less information.
Estimated Number of Responses per Form: Responses range from 2 to
approximately 238 responses.
Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 28,728 hours; fewer
if the individual has previously deployed and saved his or her prior
year's data for future use.
Frequency of Responses: Physical qualifications are valid for 12
months. Individuals must complete the forms annually or not earlier
than six months prior to their anticipated deployment date, if they are
infrequent travelers. Depending on individual medical status some
persons may require additional laboratory results to be current within
two to six-weeks of anticipated deployment.
Comments: Comments are invited on (a) whether the proposed
collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of
the functions of the Agency, including whether the information shall
have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the Agency's estimate of
the burden of the proposed collection of information; (c) ways to
enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information on
respondents, including through the use of automated collection
techniques or other forms of information technology; and (d) ways to
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.
Dated: October 14, 2010.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 2010-26249 Filed 10-18-10; 8:45 am]
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