Electronic Consent Script

Appendix C. Electronic Consent Script/Instructions

Thank you for your interest in this study. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), a federal agency within Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), is identifying the driving factors and barriers for equitable PPE protection for female frontline workers in healthcare, EMS, firefighting, mining, and construction. Our primary outcome in this pilot study is to develop and subsequently pilot a framework that safety managers in the field can use to enhance PPE equity for their workers. Your organization expressed an interest in this current effort and identified a sample of members who may interested in volunteering to participate.

If you choose to participate, you will participate in a focus group with others who serve in a job similar to you – these workers may be internal or external to your organization. Focus groups will either be composed of only frontline workers or those only in a management or administrative position. You are currently in a focus group composed of [only frontline workers / only those in management positions].

During the focus group, we will primarily focus on PPE protections and availability for female workers. Questions focus on the use, availability, accessibility, and health and safety factors related to these issues. The purpose of these questions is to identify the drivers and barriers to improve equitable PPE protections for females. Your participation is voluntary and will take no more than 60 minutes.

Data will remain confidential. Your organization, including any sub-units as applicable, or the NIOSH research team will be assigned a participant number and a pseudonym so that you and your company name are not written or recorded on any of the information that you provide.

Cooperation by all participants is voluntary. You will not receive compensation or reimbursement for your time. However, you may indirectly benefit in that your efforts will be used to improve strategies and resources around equitable PPE protection. No other alternative procedures are available for this study.

If you have questions about the project, you can contact the Principal Investigator, Dr. Patrick Dempsey ([email protected]) and the Primary Study Contact, Dr. Katherine Yoon ([email protected]). For questions about your rights, your privacy, or harm to you, contact the Chair of the NIOSH Institutional Review Board (IRB) in the Human Research Protection Program at (513) 533-8591 or [email protected].

* This template is based on a previous NIH Protocol Template for Behavioral and Social Sciences Research Involving Humans. It maintains much of the content and structure of the NIH template but has been tailored to CDC/National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health research.