Skip to content Accessibility statement

University of York technicians join effort to make Coronavirus face shields for frontline workers

News

Posted on Friday 3 April 2020

Technicians from the University of York are producing personal protective equipment (PPE) for frontline workers as part of the national response to Covid-19.
Matthew Von Tersch working in the lab
Matthew Von Tersch working in the lab

Staff from the Departments of Biology and Archaeology have already produced 600 face shields using laser cut recyclable plastic, with possible plans for more in the coming weeks.

Visors

The visors are currently being distributed for free through a York collective.  The collective is calling for more makers to get involved in the project and is raising funds to support the effort.

Technicians BioArCh Laboratory Manager, Matthew Von Tersch and Biology Research Workshop Manager, Mark Bentley are supporting the cooperative.


Mark Bentley wearing the visor

Mark Bentley said: “The collective’s intention is to offer a free safety visor to anyone working on the front line in the York area. This could include shop assistants, teachers, cleaners, care workers, transport staff, delivery drivers or anyone who is required to work with the public during the pandemic.

“We are just doing our bit to support the local community as best we can.”

Innovative engineer

Head of the Department of Biology, Professor James Moir said: “We’ve been doing what we can to be part of the national response to the Covid-19 crisis. Mark from our Biology research workshop is such a creative and innovative engineer. It is great to see these PPE visors they are producing go to frontline workers.”

The 2D laser cut safety visor utilises a design which is being used effectively across Europe and the globe in the fight against Coronavirus. The 2D laser cut is made freely available and may be redistributed and modified.

For more information on the project contact https://www.facebook.com/groups/PPEforFrontlineWorkers/

Research newsletter

Our monthly research newsletter features a curated mix of news, events, and recent discoveries delivered straight to your inbox.

Sign up

Explore more news

News

7 April 2026

Reducing population vulnerability is just as critical as cutting toxic air emissions for saving lives, according to the findings of a new study.

News

2 April 2026

In one of the largest releases of its kind, almost 16 million records have been made available online - chronicling the personal tragedies and everyday lives of Yorkshire people across nearly seven centuries.

News

1 April 2026

The University of York’s key community partner, York Cares, has been selected by Lord Mayor Elect, Cllr Margaret Wells, as her official charity for the year ahead.

News

31 March 2026

Scientists at the University of York have cracked a 40-year-old biological cold case by revealing how the parasite that causes Sleeping Sickness stays one step ahead of the human immune system.

News

26 March 2026

A University of York academic has been appointed to the panel of a public inquiry investigating the violent confrontation between police and striking miners at Orgreave coking plant in South Yorkshire in June 1984.

Read more news

Our response to the coronavirus pandemic

We're working with partners in York and further afield as part of a global effort to fight the COVID-19 virus. From covid analysis in the labs to producing face shields for the frontline, we're using our knowledge and expertise to support the effort.