Plant reliability specialist AVT Reliability is using its expertise in thermal imaging to help companies protect their workforces. The company has devised a thermal imaging procedure to screen employees for a raised temperature, a key symptom of COVID-19 infection, as they arrive on site.
It is offering to set up any company’s thermal imaging equipment as a screening system at no cost, as well as offering guidance documents, or advice about suitable monitoring systems, free of charge.
Several companies have already taken up the offer and are screening staff as they arrive at work. Employees are photographed face-on using a thermal imaging camera. The resulting image identifies areas of raised temperature via colour-coded imagery. Anyone displaying a temperature of 34oC or above is given a second, more in-depth screening focusing on their inner ear. If they are found to have a temperature above 38oC, considered by NHS standards to indicate a fever, they will be directed to seek medical advice.
The company says this type of screening should ideally form part of normal business practice for food and beverage, pharmaceutical and other sectors where employees and visitors are required to complete a healthcare declaration before entering sites.
AVT Reliability normally uses the technology to identify thermal anomalies in mechanical, electrical and process systems and alert clients to impending problems such as overheating. PJ Cloete, AVT Reliability thermal imaging technical authority, said: “We were happy to use our knowledge and experience of thermal imaging to adapt it to a more human application. Manufacturers are endeavouring to operate in extremely challenging circumstances due to the threat posed by the Covid-19 pandemic and we know that every effort is being made to protect employees from the risk of infection. We wanted to offer whatever support we could and thermal imaging screening is one way to do this.”
The offer is open to any company. For more information contact AVT Reliability at +44 (0)161 486 3737 or enquiries@avtreliability.com