A LISBURN-based company has designed a revolutionary reusable all-in-one face and neck guard, designed to help protect against Covid-19.
Hi Viso, the creation of Belfast entrepreneur James Leckey, offers full-face visibility, making it suitable for client-facing settings and where social distancing cannot be achieved.
Design engineer James sold his former business Leckey, a global leader in adaptive equipment for children with special needs, in August.
The idea for Hi Viso (www.hiviso.com) came about at the beginning of the pandemic, after hearing numerous reports of discomfort for health care workers and for those key workers who needed to stay in the workplace but could not socially distance safely.
James was determined to design a solution to get his own employees back working comfortably and safely.
He said: “Like so many households, my wife Jayne and I would watch the news every day during the start of the first lockdown and we could not believe that masks and visors were the best solution for everyone – there had to be something more comfortable and durable that gave full-face visibility. “
“We could see there was a need for more effective face protection that didn’t irritate the wearer and immediately got to work with rapid prototyping and trials with local designers and professionals.”
Lightweight and breathable, Hi Viso encompasses an all-in-one mask and visor with an innovative headband designed for comfort and improved ventilation.
The company has partnered with Usel, a leading provider in helping people with disabilities or health conditions gain employment in Northern Ireland, on the production and distribution of the mask.
“Hi Viso is reusable and easy to clean and sanitise so more cost effective in the long run. Currently there has been more than 32 billion items of PPE purchased in the UK alone. The disposal of this is having a huge impact on the environment.
“Hi Viso was initially inspired by healthcare workers however, we have seen an uptake among a range of customer facing professionals,” said James.
He added: “Its full-face visibility improves communication and makes it perfect for environments where masks are not an ideal option, such as in schools, close contact and community services.
“Beyond that though, we’ve had uptake from beauticians, hoteliers, corporate businesses and sports clubs. We’re hoping Hi Viso helps people feel safe in the workplace and going about their everyday activities.”
