NIEHS Worker Training Program’s HAZMAT Training at DOE Nuclear Weapons Complex (UH4 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) intends to publish a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to solicit applications for the NIEHS/DOE Worker Training Program's HAZMAT Training at US Department of Energy (DOE) Nuclear Weapons Complex (UH4 Clinical Trial Not Allowed). The major objective of the NIEHS WTP (Worker Training Program is to prevent work related harm by training workers in how best to protect themselves and their communities from exposure to hazardous materials. The WTP program is committed to preventing chronic disease/conditions, promoting mental health resilience, and improving the overall well-being of the U.S. workforce through health and safety education and training. The WTP is mandated by Congress through the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986. 

Initiative Details

The Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986 (SARA), Section 126(g); in U.S. law at 42 USC 9660a: authorizes an assistance program (GRANT 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 United States Congress assigned responsibility for administering this program to the NIEHS, NIH, US HHS.

The National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal years 1992 and 1993 (42 USC 7274(d)) authorized the Secretary of Energy in section 3131(a)(1)(A)-(B) to make awards (in law at 50 USC 2731(a)(1-3): "to provide training and education to persons who are or may be engaged in hazardous substance response or emergency at DOE nuclear weapons facilities; and to develop response curricula for such training and education." The Secretary was further authorized in Section 3131(a)(2)(A)-(B) to make the training awards to non-profit organizations demonstrating capabilities in: "implementing and conducting effective training and education programs relating to the general health and safety of workers; and identifying, and involving in training, groups of workers whose duties include hazardous substance response or emergency response." Funding for the program comes from the Energy and Water Development Appropriations under the DOE Environmental Cleanup section and is transferred to administer the grants in Sect. 3131(a)(2)(B).

This NOFO will utilize the UH4 activity code to provide support for the development of health and safety training of workers exposed to hazardous materials. This consists of health and safety training for workers and their supervisors, who are engaged in hazardous waste generation, treatment, storage, disposal, removal, containment, transportation, or emergency response. Investigators with expertise and insights into this area of occupational, environmental health and safety education and training are encouraged to apply. In addition, collaborative investigations combining expertise in industrial hygiene and environmental exposures will be encouraged.