Ohio Governor Mike DeWine announced the second round of Workforce Safety Innovation Grants awarded to advance worker safety in Ohio.

The Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) awarded the grants, totaling $5 million, through its Workforce Safety Innovation Center (WSIC). The Ohio State University, the Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, the University of Cincinnati, and Kent State University are among the recipients.

“We are delighted to collaborate with these exceptional recipients who have demonstrated unwavering dedication to enhancing health and safety for the workforce," said Governor DeWine. “Each project represents a steppingstone toward a safer work environment, and we look forward to seeing the transformative impact of their innovation solutions.”

WSIC, in collaboration with the grant recipients and their Ohio-based industrial partners, is driving personal protective equipment (PPE) and personal protective technology (PPT) innovations with the potential to safeguard the health and well-being of Ohio’s workforce with their individual projects.

“We are investing in innovators and collaborating with industry partners to drive tangible outcomes for our workforce in Ohio. The development of groundbreaking PPE and PPT products will assist BWC with our goal of reducing workplace injuries and keeping Ohioans safe on the job,” said BWC Administrator/CEO John Logue.

The grants are funding two proof-of-concept projects and three prototype projects listed below. Proof-of-Concept Projects

The Ohio State University: Dr. Jeremy Seidt, Research Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE) serves as the lead for an Oxygen Concentrating Self Rescuer (OCSR) proof of concept project. The OCSR will be a combination of open/closed-loop emergency breathing apparatus designed to save lives in hazardous situations, such as underground mine explosions, fires, and confined space rescues. The OCSR will feature an actively pressurized facemask, enhancing versatility and user-friendliness compared to current passive systems that rely solely on a mouthpiece.The Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital: A situational awareness and de-escalation virtual reality (VR) study is led by Dr. Tensing Maa through The Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. The VR simulation training platform will incorporate the latest advancements in motion capture, animation, and eye tracking technology, which enables the creation of a lifelike environment, interactive scenarios, and precise assessment of situational awareness skills. The VR simulation training platform represents a groundbreaking solution tailored to address the unique challenges faced by health-care workers. By equipping workers with essential skills and knowledge, the institute aims to reduce workplace injuries and evolve overall safety and health-care settings. Prototype Projects

University of Cincinnati: A prototype for the integration of Carbon Nanotube Hybrid Active Textile systems in PPE for Ohio’s firefighters is led by Ashley Kubley. She and her team completed the proof- of-concept phase during the first round of WSIC funding. This cutting-edge innovation involves incorporating active textile fabric as the innermost layer of commercial turnout coats worn by firefighters with embedded electronics and forced convection cooling.

The second prototype project awarded for the University of Cincinnati is led by Dr. Jun Wang, who also used WSIC grant funds last year to complete the proof-of-concept phase for the development of the Exposure-Protection Integrated Communicator (EPIC). The prototype EPIC device is being designed to offer real-time insights into a worker’s proximity environment, personal inhalation exposure levels, and the protective capabilities of their PPE.

Kent State University: This prototype project led by Dr. Marianne Prévôt is for zero-power, easily customizable, and wearable toxic gas and vapor sensors. The project addresses the critical need for real-time monitoring of toxic gases and vapors, ensuring the safety and well-being of first responders. The project’s innovative approach aims to combine wearability, customizability, and versatility on a flexible printer sensor platform. The sensors can be incorporated into visors, helmets, protective gear, wristbands, vehicles, lockers, or buildings.

“The impact of these innovations can extend beyond state borders with the potential to set new national standards for worker safety,” said WSIC Chief Sandi Golden-Vest. “These grants fuel our deliberate methodology to transform ideas into practical solutions. They also reinforce our commitment to advancing workplace safety and fostering a culture of innovation that prioritizes the well-being of Ohioans while they labor to build a brighter future for our state.”

Golden-Vest leads WSIC and oversees project evaluation by a diverse team of BWC staff and scientists, researchers, and industrial hygienists from the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health and the National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory.