NIOSH to Examine the Needs of Underserved PPE User Populations

NIOSH seeks information on needs and challenges related to the use of personal protective equipment among U.S. worker populations who are underserved when it comes to PPE use, availability, accessibility, acceptability, or knowledge. A Federal Register notice published today explains that NIOSH’s National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory (NPPTL) will expand its portfolio to include activities that consider the needs of these PPE user populations, which include groups such as workers who are of an atypical size; who are members of a gender, racial, ethnic, or linguistic minority group; who conduct non-traditional activities; or who are members of sub-disciplines that are not the primary focus of the current PPE activities within their field. NIOSH encourages feedback from individuals and organizations with direct knowledge about research, service, or policy gaps affecting these worker populations as well as from those who advocate for these groups. The agency also hopes that workers who have experienced issues related to PPE use will share their insights.

Letters containing information about this topic are due to NIOSH by Aug. 23, 2021. For more information, see the notice in the Federal Register.