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Face Shields

Face shields protect users from airborne particles and splashing and serve as a supplement or alternative to cloth face masks. Foodservice applications include use in dishrooms, prep areas, and front-of-house operations.

Foodservice Face Shields: What You Need to Know

Face shields usually consist of a visor attached to a transparent plastic shield that covers the face, discouraging unintentional face touching and directly protecting the wearer from exposure to foreign particles. They may supplement a cloth mask for full face and eye protection or be worn alone. During the COVID-19 pandemic, some localities began requiring clear face shields for restaurant workers in certain situations, including while serving customers who are eating or drinking.

Common Questions About Face Shields

Should I wear a face shield instead of a mask for protection against viruses?

The CDC recognizes cloth masks as critical in preventing the spread of contaminants from a source but says it's not known whether plastic face shields provide the same source control. According to the CDC, certain instances aren't feasible for cloth masks, including the following:

Situations where people utilize lipreading to communicate
Environments where a cloth mask is likely to become wet
High-intensity activities and situations where masks may cause an occupational hazard, such as high-heat environments
Individuals that have trouble breathing

Certain operations may still choose to implement face shields for their employees as an alternative to cloth masks beyond the exceptions listed above. Be sure to comply with local mandates and regulations regarding virus mitigation, which may specify face shield use as a supplement to cloth masks rather than a replacement.

What are some potential uses for foodservice face shields?

Front-of-house restaurant employees such as servers and hosts, who risk interacting with customers not wearing masks, may choose to wear a face shield for personal protection from the transmission of virus-containing droplets.
For social distancing situations, chefs may prefer a face shield visor that can easily flip up for tasting on the prep line. Face shields can also protect against splatter when cooking with hot oil.
Dishroom employees may wear face shields when working in close proximity to others since cloth masks are likely to become wet. Face shields should also be worn when working with strong chemicals.
For janitorial employees, face shields can provide vital protection to the eyes and rest of the face when working with bleach and harsh chemicals in restrooms and other areas.

Are these face shields intended for medical use?

While various operations may choose to use these face shields to comply with local regulations or as a precautionary measure against the transmission of viruses via droplets, they aren't medical-grade personal protective equipment.

How do I clean clear face shields?

Disposable face shields should be discarded after each use. For reusable face shields, use soap and warm water along with disinfectant following each use to prevent the spread of germs and viruses.

What sizes are available?

Face shield visors feature adjustable headbands that'll fit most people and are often compatible with construction helmets. Plastic shields can be as small as 7 inches wide and 8 inches high and as large as 16 inches wide and 11 inches high. Some can be trimmed to the optimal size for specific users.