Safety specialist Survitec is supplying the offshore oil and gas sector with the Virustatic Shield antiviral snood, following calls for better protection for offshore workers during helicopter transfer to and from their workplace.
Since social distancing is unfeasible during helicopter crew transfers, operators and governing bodies have been looking at ways of preventing the spread of SARS-CoV-2.
Conventional surgical masks are unsuitable for helicopter passengers due to the risk of foreign object debris (FOD) should rotor downdraught rip the mask from the wearer’s face. These masks can also risk interfering with other PPE equipment.
Oil & Gas UK (OGUK), the representative body for the UK offshore oil and gas industry, has been working with Survitec on the use of a snood-type face covering for the UK’s offshore workforce through its Pandemic Steering Group.
Ross Johnston, Energy Sales Manager, Survitec explained: “After OGUK approached us as the primary supplier of PPE and safety equipment to the aviation industry we identified the Virustatic Shield as a viable option to help reduce risk for all UK Category A and Category B flights.”
The snood has been developed to reduce pathogenic microbial intake into the human respiratory system. The fabric incorporates an antiviral coating laboratory tested to neutralise 96% of airborne viruses and reduce the risk of cross-contamination.
