Light Weight Face Visor (PPE); for use by front line services dealing with Covid-19

The Covid-19 pandemic has led to a desperate requirement to increase the supply of personal protective equipment (PPE) in the UK. Frontline staff in hospitals, GPs, the ambulance service, care homes, prisons and other public sector services are crying out for more PPE.

In the Covid-19 daily TV briefing session of 11/04/20, Government Health Secretary, Matt Hancock made a direct appeal to all UK industry to produce PPE, even if this is a product in which they had no previous experience.

This project is a response to that appeal by opening a new area of supply for one element of the required PPE, so that frontline staff fighting the virus can be given the protection they need.

The project brings together four established UK companies to provide innovation in the design, development, manufacture and supply of a face-visor to give eye protection, which is a critical element of the PPE set.

The design consultancy Taylor Garfit Ltd has developed a concept for a visor which uses innovative materials rather than plastic. Thus allowing it to be mass-produced using an established UK manufacturing sector that has hitherto not produced PPE. The project will support increased demand by supplementing existing sources of face visor production.

Four companies have agreed to cooperate in the development and production of this visor. A significant advantage of the proposed supply chain is that it is entirely UK based; whilst many of the current visors are sourced from overseas, with commensurate problems in product availability and long lead-times, as global demand escalates.

The extension for impact support will provide much-needed assistance in three key areas:

1. The commercialisation of the face visor through further development of our marketing strategy

2. Clinical testing of the face visor.

3. Further product modifications, if required as a result of the clinical testing and user feedback.