Bruce Power and NPX Innovation, with the support of community organizations such as the Owen Sound & North Grey Union Public Library (OSNGUPL) and Launchpad, are using their 3D printers to produce plastic face shields to help fill critical shortages of personal protective equipment (PPE) for front-line health-care workers in the fight against COVID-19.

Earlier this month, Health Canada reached out to companies and institutions across the country to ask for help by using 3D printers to build critically needed PPE, including parts required for face shields, worn over top of surgical masks for additional protection. Medical face shields are critical in protecting front-line health care workers and help extend the life of surgical masks by creating a clear barrier between a health care worker's face and the patient in order to prevent contact with droplets from infected patients that contain the virus.

Bruce Power and NPX have responded by teaming up to build 300 face shields that have already been distributed to health care facilities with another 2,000 in production. Hundreds of ear savers/protectors – used to help prevent chafing from wearing face shields and face masks for long periods of time – have also been produced for distribution to health care workers in our local communities. Nurses at the Wingham Hospital are among the recipients of the ear protectors.

“Thanks to a lot of support from Bruce Power and the community, there’s been a quick response to this call for help, allowing us to establish and coordinated 3D printing initiative that has been supported by a number of other community organizations and individuals to provide free medical support and supplies,” said James Scongack, Executive Vice-President, Corporate Affairs & Operational Services. “Matt Ferguson and Ahsan Muhammad from our Reactor Tooling and Fuel Handling division have been instrumental in this initiative by leading a team of 38 Bruce Power employees.”

NPX’s role has played a major role in finding 3D printers and medical supplies, along with plastic products, to assist in the production of the face shields and ear savers/protectors.

“We are thrilled by how Bruce Power, and our community, have responded to play an important role in supporting front-line health care workers”, said Bharath Nangia, CEO of NPX. “We’ve also received the support of the Organization of Canadian Nuclear Industries (OCNI) to help source clear plastic visors for assembly.”

Huron-Bruce MPP Lisa Thompson expressed her gratitude to everyone involved in this initiative.

“Ensuring we have a dependable supply of high-quality PPE to protect front-line workers is increasingly important as we progress through this crisis,” said Thompson. “I want to thank Bruce Power and NPX for moving so quickly to respond and retool to help keep us all safe while continuing to keep the lights on in Ontario.”

source: media release, Bruce Power