New Snood for Offshore Workers is Better Than N95 Mask and Could be a Game Changer in Corona Fight

An Aberdeen based company has rolled out a new piece of PPE designed to protect workers traveling offshore but the kit, if proven, could have far wider uses in the fight against Covid-19.

The Virustatic® Shield has been developed to reduce pathogenic microbial intake into the human respiratory system. Its revolutionary protein coating disables viruses on contact to helps slow the spread of viruses like no other face mask currently on the market and has been proven in the lab to be 96% effective against influenza viruses. This protein layer also allows the mask to be touched without transferring the virus for non-hazardous disposal once used. It can be issued as front-line protection for key workers including passengers traveling via helicopter to and from offshore structures such as oil rigs and wind turbines. Its lightweight 360° snood design moulds to the wearer's face, allowing the shield to be comfortably worn for hours at a time and will stay in place even when approaching a helicopter with its main rotor in motion.

The Snood as it has already been nicknamed by offshore workers, requires no face fit test and can be worn over facial hair. The makers claim it offers 360 protection and can be disposed of as regular waste due to the special coating eliminating any contagions.

In the offshore environment the Snood will be worn by workers on their flight out to an installation, kept in their survival suit and worn for the trip back home and then disposed of at the heliport. But the manufacturer claims the snood is good for 150 hours of use if hand washed and air dried every 50 hours. It means the Snood can be worn far longer than a traditional N95 mask offering cost savings as well as a more comfortable alternative to traditional masks.

OGUK has been working on the use of the snood for the offshore workforce through its Pandemic Steering Group. It has been tested for surface and underwater escape purposes and its use is endorsed by the four helicopter companies. The process will be managed by Survitec who are procuring supplies for use by the offshore industry at all helicopter departure locations, with guidance on the use of the snoods issued by OGUK shortly.

BP are believed to be considering the Snood for their helicopter operations globally and are already rolling them out in the North Sea.

OGUK HSE Director Trevor Stapleton:

“All workers travelling offshore will be issued with a protective snood following their routine temperature check at the heliport. The snood will then be worn in the heliport and for the duration of travel both to and from the installation only. They are single use and personnel will be issued with a new snood for each trip offshore.

“The snood represents just one of the barriers being employed to mitigate and manage COVID-19 across our essential workforce. Robust checks prior to mobilisation, temperature testing and testing are also in use alongside additional measures to protect the workforce whilst offshore including social distancing, staggered mealtimes, and where possible single person cabin occupancy. Taken together we’ve got a comprehensive response, but we continue to develop this through listening to our people and continuing to push for expanded testing capability across our workforce.”

Ross Johnston, Energy Sales Manager, Survitec:
“After OGUK approached us as the primary supplier of PPE and safety equipment to the aviation industry, we identified the Virustatic Shield as an appropriate product for people travelling on all UK Category A and Category B helicopter flights. We are pleased to support the industry by sourcing, procuring and supplying the Virustatic Shield to help reduce the risk for our customers and keep crews, passengers and offshore personnel safe.”