AT A GLANCE

A gas utilities company introduced a contactless system to screen for COVID symptoms while maintaining privacy.  Using a porta cabin with thermal cameras and access control, staff entered through a secure side with infrared detectors and a red-green light system.  High temperatures triggered a 24-hour access block, ensuring safety compliance and averting potential plant shutdowns.  

THE CHALLENGE

A gas utilities company faced the challenge of safely screening employees for potential COVID symptoms without compromising privacy or violating GDPR regulations.  Traditional methods involving manual temperature checks by security guards raised concerns about personal information exposure. 

OUR APPROACH

To address these concerns, a unique solution was implemented.  A porta cabin was stationed outside the site’s perimeter fence, equipped with Passive Infrared (PRI) detectors and a thermal camera.  Employees entered through a secure side, triggering the PRI sensors to indicate occupancy and control access.  A red-green light system outside signaled entry availability based on cabin occupancy.

Upon entry, employees swiped their card to register their presence.  The thermal camera then captured their temperature, matching it with their access control credential.  Abnormal readings triggered immediate access denial for 24 hours, ensuring safety compliance.  Employees with high readings notified their line manager and were granted a retest after 30 minutes.  Successful readings restored access privileges. 

OUTCOME

This innovative solution ensured anonymous health screening and automated access control modifications, minimizing the risk of COVID spread on-site.  By swiftly identifying potential cases and implementing access restrictions, the company safeguarded employee health and plant operations, preventing potential shutdowns and ensuring compliance at their COMAH site.

GOALS ACHIEVED

• All denied access readings had to be anonymous.
• It had to be autonomous with no human intervention. 
• The main goal was to have one person in the test pod at one time. 
• It had to immediately reject or adjust access control privileges as soon as it receiving the reading, suspending their standard clearance for 24 hours. 

PRODUCTS USED

• Facial Recognition & Temperature Camera
• C*Cure 9000 Access Control System 
• Intruder Alarm System