Phillips Industries Creates STA-SAFE Hands-Free Door Extension in the Fight Against COVID-19

July 27, 2020

In an effort to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in their facilities and their communities, Phillips Industries has created a hands-free door extension, the STA-SAFE, to attach to public door handles.

The Phillips slogan is: “We make products that make a difference,” and it doesn’t just apply to heavy-duty truck parts. Since the beginning of the pandemic outbreak, Phillips took an immediate and positive approach to do some part in the fight against COVID-19, not only within the company to protect employees but to help others outside the organization. During COVID-related downtime in Phillips factories, employees were encouraged to be creative in devising uses for idle equipment. With their characteristic ingenuity, the STA-SAFE door handle extension was born at Phillips.

“With the kernel of an idea for a hands-free handle attachment that could make a real difference in slowing the spread of COVID-19, our team in Mexico quickly designed the STA-SAFE extension. They produced engineering and tooling drawings that utilized our temporarily inactive CNC equipment to make them,” explained Rob Phillips, president and CEO. “I admire the creativity and effort put forth to produce this product.”

The STA-SAFE's design decreases the risk of spreading germs on one of the most highly utilized contact surfaces - public door handles. The forearm operated door handle is hands-free and quick and easy to install with no drilling required. It includes three inserts to ensure a perfect fit on most door pull applications. Made with recycled, non-corrosive material, the STA-SAFE is durable and UV and weather resistant. The STA-SAFE comes with installation instructions and a sticker to place on the door with a visible representation of how to use the product to avoid confusing patrons.