Complete Story
06/10/2020
Thermal Imaging Systems In The Workplace: Panacea Or Problem?
Source: Fisher Phillips, June 3, 2020
What Are Thermal Imaging Systems?
Thermal imaging systems utilize infrared cameras to detect skin temperature from a distance and without actual contact to the skin. They have generally been in limited use in some industries for almost 20 years. Currently, they are being used in governmental and military applications, in transportation, food processing, and manufacturing plants.
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What Are The Advantages Of Thermal Imaging Systems?
A primary advantage of thermal imaging is that the person who handles the system is not required to be physically close to the person being evaluated. In fact, the person who handles the thermal imaging system could be in a different area or room. This eliminates the need for personal protective equipment (PPE) and OSHA-required training for temperature takers, such as that required for work around bloodborne pathogens.
Thermal imaging systems generally have been shown to accurately measure someone’s surface skin temperature faster than the typical forehead or oral (mouth) thermometer that requires a close distance or physical contact with the person being evaluated. This means that thermal imaging systems are well adapted to triage large numbers of individuals for initial temperature assessment in high throughput areas, such as ports of entry, airports, train stations, sporting events, and other places where large numbers of individuals need to be scanned in a short time. For employers that operate food processing plants, construction sites, large manufacturing plants, or similar high-traffic businesses, this aspect of the system could be very welcome. It could solve logistical challenges while avoiding the thorny question of whether workers need to be compensated for the time waiting to have their temperatures taken.
Thermal imaging systems can also be an efficient and effective method of complying with requirements to take temperatures that may be imposed by government entities or other third parties, such as the owner of a construction site. For example, in Colorado, New Jersey, and New York City, among others, employers in certain industries have been required to check temperatures of employees in the workplace.
What Are The Disadvantages Of Thermal Imaging Systems?
The main disadvantage is that thermal imaging does not detect whether someone has COVID-19. That’s because, among other things, a person with the coronavirus may not have a fever. A more complete diagnostic test must be performed to determine if someone has COVID-19.
Further, the accuracy of these systems depends on careful set-up and operation, and they need to be used in the right environment and location in order to be effective. Because these systems measure surface skin temperature, which is usually lower than a temperature measured orally, thermal imaging systems need to be properly adjusted to correct for this difference in measurements. And of course, the person handling the thermal imaging system needs to be properly trained for the results to be helpful.
Finally, as with many products, variances in quality exist among the systems available for use. Those interested in using one need to carefully explore the various products on the market to determine which is best for their situation.
