Design & Technology
PPE for Front Line Workers
Teachers from the D&T faculty have used their designing and making skills to manufacture a variety of PPE equipment for NHS nurses, Pharmacists, Care workers and Supermarket...
PPE for Front Line Workers
Teachers from the D&T faculty have used their designing and making skills to manufacture a variety of PPE equipment for NHS nurses, Pharmacists, Care workers and Supermarket staff.
As the need and demand for masks and face visors became apparent, Mrs Pattni started making face masks for her husband and the staff at his pharmacy. A batch of 20 was also made for one of his suppliers who are still working away in their warehouses, and another batch of 15 delivered to the pharmacy staff and some counter staff at a local Sainsbury’s store.
Meanwhile, Mrs Bowyer and her husband were busy using their technological skills to make masks and ear protectors for Watford General Hospital.
Using the 3D printer that her husband built, he set to printing the face visors, and then ordered the laminate sheets to complete them.
Mrs Bowyer turned her hand to crocheting the ear protectors for face masks. These were made using cotton and buttons. The reason for using cotton rather than wool, is that they need to be washed at high temperatures in order to kill any virus that may be on them. Due to the properties of wool, this cannot happen as it shrinks, whereas cotton doesn’t.
The ear protectors were passed to other departments to be used.
It gave me a great sense of achievement to receive the picture from the hospital, with a note to say that the ear protectors were being passed to where they were most needed.
Mr Chalkley made contact with a local care home who were in need of face visors when dealing with patients displaying coronavirus symptoms. A variety of different styles were tried and tested using old-school making skills through to 3D printing. The amazing staff at the care home are now able to carry out their demanding jobs with more confidence.
It just shows you what can be done using different aspects of technology. Remember to clap for the carers and others that are keeping us safe on Thursdays at 8 pm.
If you’ve been involved in supporting anyone during this pandemic, then please share your story with us.
