GripHero donates PPE face shields to NHS

GripHero donates PPE face shields to NHS

GripHero, whose patented hand-protection dispenser sits on top of each and every pump on the forecourt, protecting motorists from the transmission of illness, chemicals, fuel residues and carcinogens found on fuel pump handles, is working around the clock to produce free protective face shields for frontline NHS staff during the coronavirus pandemic.

These will be dispatched to a central collection centre in Sheffield before being distributed to hospitals across the UK.

Following the outbreak of COVID-19 and the shortage of protective wear for medical personnel in the UK, the Hatherleigh headquartered business has been manufacturing and assembling protective face shields to help frontline NHS staff stay safe from the potential spread of Covid-19.

Using their in-house 3D printers, combined with PrusaPrinters’ downloadable face shield design, the company is well on the way to producing 200 face masks in just four weeks.

The PRUSA RC3 face shields are made from Polylactic acid (PLA) material, which provides a strong protection barrier from infectious droplets entering the eyes, nose and mouth of staff.

This is the latest step taken by GripHero to combat the spread of Covid-19. Just a month ago GripHero took the bold step of offering its fuel-nozzle mounted hand-protection dispensers free to forecourts internationally to help stop the spread of Covid-19 at the fuel pump. The response to that offer, which in the UK alone could cost the business over £3 million, has been overwhelming with thousands of forecourts signing up to protect motorists by installing GripHero’s dispensers.

Commenting on the decision to help meet demand for NHS PPE, Oli Yeo, GripHero’s creator, said:

“With our 3D printing capability, we realised that we could play an active part in PPE production. Now, it’s a matter of how quickly we can make the masks and get them out to frontline staff and key workers. With a huge effort from our team, all observing strict social distancing, we have been able to produce 140 face masks to date and we plan to keep up production for as long as it is needed.”

Oli Yeo added: “Our ethos at GripHero is to protect individuals from the potential spread of infection and viruses when fueling their vehicles, so it seemed natural for us to step up to the plate and play our part in helping to develop more PPE equipment when the UK needs it most.

“While a small offering in the grand scheme of things, if each face shield helps a frontline doctor or nurse from putting themselves at greater risk than necessary, then every little helps.”