Stick the kettle on – it’s time to test your knowledge on protective face shields with this fun and informative quiz from leading face and eye protection manufacturer, Tecman Advanced Healthcare Products
Question 1
The World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended the use of face shields for which of the following working environments?
a) Frontline healthcare staff
b) Customer-facing roles
c) Office environments where social distancing is difficult
Question 2
What does CE marking mean?
a) China Export
b) Conformité Européenne
c) Control Element
Question 3
What is the highest possible CE certification achievable for PPE, including disposable face shields?
a) Cat I
b) Cat II
c) Cat III
Question 4
Which CE Category is required for COVID-19?
a) Cat I
b) Cat II
c) Cat III
Question 5
What does BS stand for in the personal eye protection standard BS EN166:2002?
a) British Standards
b) Beta Sigma
c) British Specification
Question 6
Which of the following is classed as optical grade film, and is suitable for face shields?
a) BOPET
b) APET
c) PETG
Question 7
What is the purpose of anti-fogging properties on face visors?
a) They help the visor to stay clear by preventing the condensation of moisture from the body
b) They help the visor to stay clear by preventing the condensation of moisture from the environment
c) Both of the above
Question 8
Face shields that are manufactured using non-optical film can cause significant eye strain when worn for extended periods of time. Which of the reasons below best describes why Tecman’s disposable face shield is suitable for long-term wear?
a) It doesn’t create distortion or fatigue
b) It has been especially designed for comfort
c) Both of the above
Scroll down for your answers to see how well you did!
Answers
Q1) Okay – this was a trick question. The answer is all of them!
WHO, the UK government and the John Hopkins Center for Health Security also recommend the use of shields for staff and students in education. Some guidance recommends that the general public wear transparent face shields – rather than fabric face masks – in crowded areas and on public transport, because they allow for full visibility of the facial expressions that are important when it comes to reading and understanding social cues.
Q2) b) Conformité Européenne or European Conformity.
CE marking – also known unofficially as the CE mark – demonstrates that a product conforms with health, safety, and environmental protection standards for products sold within the European Economic Area (EEA).
Q3) c) Cat III.
Category III complex design PPE level is a classification under the 89/686/EEC PPE Directive which exists to ensure occupational safety throughout Europe. The European Standards (EN) outline consistent requirements to ensure products meet enhanced performance and safety needs.
Q4) c) Cat III.
Cat I states that a product is resistant to splashes and droplets. Even a plastic bottle cut to shape would achieve this. Cat II requires the product to pass optical tests EN167 and EN168, which ensure its suitability as an optical grade visor. Cat III takes the testing one step further, to ensure protection against dangerous fluids.
Q5) a) British Standards.
British Standards (BS) are the standards produced by the BSI Group, which is incorporated under a royal charter and officially the UK’s national standards body.
Q6) a) BOPET
Eye and face protection products that include a visor should only be manufactured using BOPET (biaxially orientated polyester). Sometimes known as C-PET (crystallised polyester). BOPET starts off as APET (amorphous polyester) and is mechanically modified using a method called drawing, which improves its optical and mechanical properties.
APET – PET film in its primary state – is a cheaper product that’s often used in food packaging, while PETG is glycol-modified APET, typically used in deep-draw packaging and point of sale applications. Got all that?!
Q7) c) Both of the above.
Anti-fog coatings prevent misting caused by humidity and temperature differences from the external environment or directly from the body. Anti-fog coatings are indispensable for face and eye protection for this very reason.
Q8) c) Both of the above
Tecman’s original disposable face shield is the first of its kind to achieve the highest possible CE certification for wearer protection: category III complex design PPE level. Not only is it manufactured from optical grade film (see question 7) to minimise wearer fatigue from long-term use, it has also been especially designed to ensure wearer comfort.
Well, we don’t know about you, but we certainly learned a thing or two during today’s tea break! Big thanks to Tecman Advanced Healthcare Products for entertaining and educating us!
For more information about Tecman’s high quality, British-made face and eye protection products visit www.tecmanuk.com or email [email protected]