The Kinross and District Men’s Shed (KDMS) is set to produce 800 plastic face shields for health workers in Scotland.

KDMS is using 3D printers to make the Polyatic Acid face shields, and has already completed around 300 - with a further 500 newly ordered.

The masks help stop wearers from touching their faces, and prevents exposure to Covid-19, which can be spread through coughs and sneezes.

KDMS have printed over 300 face shields so far.

KDMS Chairman, David Connor, said: “KDMS wanted to help and one of our Shedders, Jim Forbes, started working in his shed at home to come up with a solution to meet the demand for this life-saving protective equipment.

“The Shedders have really stepped up and there is a team of around 12-15 of us involved in taking and recording orders, administration, printing, assembly, quality checks and delivery.”

Professor Chris Oliver, trustee at the Scottish Men’s Shed Association and a former surgeon, praised the project as “a great community effort”.

He said the team had already completed 300 masks, had just secured an order for 500 more.

“The masks are already being used to protect workers in Fife,” he said.

Jim Forbes, the Shedder who came up with the scheme, said: “I had a vision to do this and researched face shields online and came up with a quality product – quick to produce, washable and light – consisting of four simple parts.

“This 3D printed version needs no tools to assemble except for a pair of scissors to trim the face plate.”

KDMS has joined forces with Culture Perth & Kinross, as well as volunteers across the region to produce around 50 face shields per day.

“When it comes to delivery,” Jim explains, “there is obviously no contact.

“The order is simply placed in our gardens when we are notified that the person is on their way to collect.”

The Scottish Men’s Shed Association has raised more than £2000 via GoFundMe for much-needed materials.

People can donate to the cause here.

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Kinross Men’s Shed 3D printing 800 face shields for NHS key workers