NSC Safety 2026: NanoSieve wins Safety Innovation Challenge

The National Safety Council announced NanoSieve as the winner of the Work to Zero Safety Innovation Challenge, recognizing its cutting-edge technology designed to help prevent serious workplace incidents and fatalities. The award was presented at the 2026 NSC Safety Congress & Expo in Indianapolis. The annual contest aims to get new safety technology into workplaces to help prevent injuries and deaths.

Hosted by Work to Zero, in partnership with McElhattan Foundation, this year’s challenge focused on hazardous energy control, which addresses worker exposure to dangerous chemical, electrical, hydraulic, mechanical, pneumatic and thermal energy sources.

The competition, held in collaboration with TechConnect, began with 10 solution providers, with conference attendees voting at the Safety Technology Pavilion to narrow the field to three finalists: Otterlocks, Valkim Technologies, LLC and NanoSieve. The finalists demonstrated their solutions during a live showcase featuring a Shark Tank-style Q&A with a panel of expert judges. The winner was selected based on attendee voting and judges' evaluations of each solution’s innovation, scalability and potential to save lives. 

“The Work to Zero Safety Innovation Challenge demonstrates what's possible when innovators, safety professionals and industry leaders come together to solve the most complex workplace safety challenges,” said Debra Sanchez, executive vice president of safety impact and external affairs at NSC. “Congratulations to NanoSieve for developing a solution that has the potential to make workplaces safer and help save lives. Their innovation reflects the kind of ingenuity and collaboration needed to eliminate preventable workplace fatalities.”

“It's an honor to receive this recognition from NSC, safety leaders in the industry and the McElhattan Foundation,” said Gabrielle Abizeid, founder and CEO of NanoSieve. “Preventing serious workplace incidents requires both innovation and commitment, and we're proud that our solution can help employers better protect workers from hazardous energy risks. We look forward to continuing to work alongside NSC and industry partners to advance safer workplaces.”

All 10 Safety Innovation Challenge solution providers are eligible to participate in the Work to Zero Pilot Grant Program, which provides up to $20,000 in funding to help organizations trial these technologies in real-world environments. Grant applications are open from Sept. 18 through Oct. 30. 

Work to Zero is part of the Council's ongoing effort to eliminate workplace fatalities through the advancement and adoption of technology-based safety solutions. To learn more, visit nsc.org/worktozero.