The project aims to research the relationship between ill-fitting PPE and workplace injury, illness, and fatalities with a focus on sex and gender, and additional consideration of different body shapes, occupation, and other relevant factors. Alberta’s Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Act defines PPE as “a thing used or worn by a person for protection of that person from health or safety hazards that may exist at a work site.” It can include items such as footwear, clothing (e.g. coveralls), gloves, vests, and respirators.
The current situation highlights a gap in understanding how ill-fitting PPE may affect workplace health and safety, necessitating this kind of research to improve OHS standards, policies, and practices. The project should involve collaboration with various stakeholders, including but not limited to universities, research institutions, OHS organizations, industry employers, workers, and/or PPE manufacturers. a. Project Objectives - The primary objectives of the project are to: • Research the relationship between ill-fitting PPE and injury, illness, and fatality incidence, considering factors, such as demographics and anthropometrics. • Provide recommendations for OHS standards, policies, and practices, as well as research priorities that address identified factors. • Develop knowledge translation materials for decision-makers and relevant stakeholders to reduce injury, illness, and fatalities associated with ill-fitting PPE. b. Project Structure/Business Model - The project will be managed by the Ministry of Jobs, Economy and Trade Alberta and overseen by Contract Manager. The project should involve primary research, data collection and analysis, and collaboration with experts and stakeholders in occupational health, gender studies, ergonomics, occupational hygiene, and/or PPE design. The contractor will report to the Contract Manager and will be required to work closely with other team members identified by the Alberta Jobs, Economy and Trade. c. Key Stakeholders - Key stakeholders may include Alberta workers, particularly those in industries where PPE is regularly used/required, employers, health and safety officers, OHS professionals, universities, research institutions, OHS organizations, Workers' Compensation Boards, labour unions, and PPE manufacturers. The project aims to benefit these types of stakeholders by providing evidence-based recommendations for improving OHS standards, policies, and practices with the ultimate goal of reducing injury, illness, and fatalities in Alberta workplaces that may be related to PPE. d. Related Project Documents - Project-related documents will be made available to the successful proponent once the RFP decision is made. These documents will be accessible via email or on a sign-out basis. Proponents may be required to sign a non-disclosure agreement or enter into a data-sharing agreement to access sensitive information. e. Miscellaneous - The project and all of the project deliverables must be completed and submitted to the Contract Manager on or before September 20, 2025. The core deliverables and program activities prescribed by Alberta Jobs, Economy and Trade for the successful proponent include: • Comprehensive Workplan: A detailed workplan for the research on ill-fitting PPE and workplace injury, illness, and fatalities to be provided on or before March 4, 2025. • Status Reports: Monthly written status reports outlining the project’s progress, services provided, remaining deliverables, funds expended, challenges encountered, and any issues or concerns, to be submitted by the 15th day of each month of the contract. • Final Report: A final report including revisions, to be submitted on or before September 6, 2025. • Knowledge translation materials, including revisions, to be submitted on or before September 13, 2025. • Presentation of the results of the project to Alberta Jobs, Economy and Trade, to be completed on or before September 20, 2025. The services will commence upon awarding of the contract. The project will contribute to the broader understanding of OHS in Alberta and potentially other provinces, positioning Alberta as a leader in addressing ill-fitting PPE and workplace health and safety. The work should primarily draw from Alberta data, as the project focuses on Alberta workers. However, Jobs, Economy and Trade Alberta understands that it is likely that data and information from across Canada and other countries may be necessary to allow for meaningful analysis and results. The successful contractor does not need to be located in Alberta; however, some work in Alberta may be necessary for data collection, stakeholder engagement, and knowledge translation.
