KITIMAT, B.C. — Health care workers at Kitimat General Hospital can now work more comfortably thanks to the ingenuity of local millwright Devin Baer.
Using his 3D printer at home, the Millwrights Local 2736 member began manufacturing improved mask straps for nurses and health care professionals that shift tension from behind one’s ears to the back of the head.
Baer’s skills have also helped health care workers put donated industrial-style face shields to work by developing unique head supports to attach to them.
“We all need to help each other out and do what we can, and this was something that I could do to help,” said 34-year-old Baer in recent issue of Trade Talk, a magazine produced by the BC Building Trades.
Baer got to work on the problem after hearing about painful pressure aches due to masks from two hospital workers, his wife Ashlee and sister Kyla. They also inspired Baer to transform construction PPE into usable health care gear.
Baer’s ingenuity began on the jobsite.
His employer, Servco, is currently doing a pot replacement project for Rio Tinto in Kitimat. When one of the pieces of equipment was breaking down regularly, Baer designed a new handle system to address the problem. He made a prototype on his 3D printer and then ran successful field trials, and now his design has been implemented permanently.
“I just like improving the design of products – that’s my jam,” said Baer in Trade Talk. “But helping out can just be asking a neighbour if you can pick up some groceries for them. We all need to do what we can.”
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