Personal Protective Equipment Assessment
Develop a testing protocol that was able to quantitatively and qualitatively demonstrate superior product design
The Challenge
Assessment of an item of personal protective equipment designed for use by Australian Law Enforcement Agencies.
Objectives
Determine the garment’s operational suitability, functionality and comfort.
Outcome
OPS’ understanding of the operational context allowed it to work seamlessly with its academic partner, the Bond University Tactical Research Unit (TRU), to develop a testing protocol that was able to quantitatively and qualitatively demonstrate superior product design.
Effectiveness of the testing protocol hinged on the replication of operational demands expected to be faced by Australian Law Enforcement personnel. This ensured that the resultant data was relevant to occupational role scope and specific to the domain into which the garment would be deployed.
OPS and TRU(s) findings were subsequently annexed to a tender response submitted by the manufacturing company, a tender they won following a competitive tender process.
