Posted by Adding automated temperature checking stations is a simple, cost-effective add-on to a manufacturing company’s COVID-19 prevention strategy.
Since the global pandemic hit the US this year, it’s become evident that it will be a long time before we get back to businesses as usual. That said, sheltering-at-home until there’s a vaccine isn’t a viable solution for a vast majority of companies and institutions. This challenge is especially difficult for manufacturers that rely on workers to operate massive machines that don’t lend themselves to “remote work” very easily.
A recent WHYY.org article detailing the turmoil at Ashley Furniture sums up what many manufacturers are dealing with across our country right now, such as:
- coronavirus outbreaks
- rises in absenteeism
- tensions in employee-company relations as to the safety guidelines that should be put in place to protect workers.
To help minimize the scenarios listed above, some companies are implementing a wide range of safety measures. Some common examples include spreading out work areas to create greater social distancing, requiring masks in group settings and implementing wash stations, and hand sanitizing stations along with signage to remind workers to help do their part to keep safe.
In the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC’s) “SARS-CoV-2 Testing Strategy: Considerations for Non-Healthcare Workplaces,” daily in-person or virtual health checks are also encouraged. Such screenings often include temperature screening to identify employees (and visitors) with signs or symptoms consistent with COVID-19 before they enter a facility (e.g., a temperature above 100.4°F).
Companies that attempt to perform health checks manually quickly discover that (just like performing other tasks manually) it creates bottlenecks, increases costs, and can actually make workers less safe as long lines form and social distancing breaks down.
Per the US Food & Drug Administration’s (FDA’s) Non-contact Temperature Assessment Devices During the COVID-19 Pandemic, “The available scientific literature supports using thermal imaging systems and non-contact infrared thermometers to detect elevated temperatures. These devices have many benefits, but they must be used properly to get accurate readings.”
In light of this, EMS Barcode Solutions has begun offering two new automated temperature screening products customers can use as part of their safety programs to protect their workers from the spread of viruses like COVID-19.
Thermal Imaging System
This low-cost, thermal imaging system is designed to automate body temperature screening using skin temperature as a proxy. With ±0.5°F accuracy and the inclusion of a reference heat source, the thermal imaging system delivers the same performance as an infrared temporal thermometer — but automated from a safe social distance.
The system can be easily installed in near time shop floor doors, lobbies, hallways, and other key access points, and it’s easy to use. It can be up and running in minutes with no special equipment or training.
The way this system works is that an employee stands near the reference heat source, and the system automatically detects the person’s face, identifying the most reliable facial features for measurement. Almost instantly, the system displays an estimated body temperature, and a visual and audible alert is provided if someone is warmer than the customizable alarm temperature.
Unlike typical industrial thermal cameras, our thermal imaging system was developed for precise temperature measurement, and it maximizes accuracy by referencing a fixed heat source with a known temperature value, following the FDA’s latest guidelines.
Click here for more information. Thermal Scanning System
Temperature-Screening Kiosk
This no-contact kiosk is designed to help prevent the spread of viruses and maintain a safe and healthy environment for your employees, visitors, and the general public. To ensure optimal performance, the kiosk is built on a high-performance hardware platform and equipped with an industrial-class binocular camera, live face recognition technology, and infrared thermal imaging module that has an accuracy of ± 0.5°F. The kiosk supports:
- face-with-mask recognition
- human temperature detection
- automatic alarm for body temperature abnormality
- expansion of various peripherals such as ID card readers and fingerprint readers.
The way it works is an employee approaches the kiosk and stands within a few feet of the screen. The infrared sensors instantly (less than 1 second) detect and record the employee’s temperature and display a color—green for “pass” and red for “fail.”
The kiosk is Wi-Fi-enabled and has an outdoor enhanced setting with an external cooling sensor, making it easily portable and useful in a variety of settings.
To learn more about the kiosk, click here.
Conclusion
While temperature-monitoring alone can’t stop the spread of COVID-19, it can be a valuable component to your overall safety strategy in the workplace during these challenging times. Whether you’re looking for ways to improve your workplace safety practices or your overall inventory management, our dedicated team of service professionals is here to help you find the right solutions and best practices to help your business run better and safer. If you have questions, need more info or you’d like to schedule a demo, give us a call.
