NIOSH Crowdsources with HeroX for Better-Fitting Protective Gear for US Workers

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), has teamed up with HeroX, a leading platform and open marketplace for crowdsourced solutions, to launch the crowdsourcing competition, “The NIOSH Protective Clothing Challenge—Leaving No Body Unprotected.” The Challenge seeks to improve equitable access to protective clothing for the broad spectrum of US workers, who vary in size, gender, body shape, ethnicity, religion, and work activity.

For many workers, finding properly fitting protective clothing remains difficult. Unfortunately, typical S, M, L, XL, XXL, and “one-size-fits-all” sizes can impact a person’s willingness or ability to properly wear and safely remove clothing intended to protect them. As a result, differences in body size and shape pose important personal protective equipment (PPE) safety considerations.

The Challenge: This Challenge focuses on innovations to improve fit and equitable access to medical gowns, turnout gear for firefighters, and protective coveralls.

The Prize: Up to five teams whose ideas help overcome poor fit in protective clothing will be awarded a total prize purse of $55,000.

Eligibility to Compete and Win Prize(s): The prize is open to anyone aged 18 or older participating as an individual or as a team. Individual competitors and teams may originate from any country, as long as United States federal sanctions do not prohibit participation (some restrictions apply).

For more information, visit https://www.herox.com/NIOSHProtectiveClothing.