A Scottish technology firm has launched a monitoring tool that will help workers in sectors such as construction ensure they keep a safe distance from colleagues ahead of moves to ease the coronavirus lockdown.
The wrist-worn “Safedistance” tool developed by Reactec sounds an alert if someone wearing one moves within two meters of another person equipped with one of the devices.
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The technology has been designed to help employers manage the social distancing of employees to reduce the risk of the coronavirus spreading.
Firms could use it to monitor the severity and frequency of breaches of social distancing protocols.
Edinburgh-based Reactec thinks the device could also be used to support the effort to trace workers who have been in contact with others who develop the Covid-19 coronanvirus.
The company said it developed the system in a record time of just 15 days as a direct response to the Covid-19 crisis and the introduction of social distancing protocols by the Scottish and UK Governments.
The work involved adapting technology that Reactec developed to help guard against construction staff who use power tools such as drills contracting the condition known as Vibration White Finger.
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The Safedistance system is being trialled by firms working in the construction and rail sectors amid expectations social distancing protocols may have to be followed long after lockdown measures are eased.
Boris Johnson was criticised on Sunday after encouraging people employed in sectors such as construction in England to return to work before the Government provided detailed guidance on how that could be done safely.
“Social distancing will clearly be with us for some time and it’s vital that when people get back to work they can do so safely,” said Reactec’s chief executive Jacqui McLaughlin. “Our team has moved quickly to repurpose our technology to help businesses.”
Reactec said it had discussed the capabilities of Safedistance at ministerial level with the Scottish Government, which noted that companies across Scotland have been adapting to support the effort to tackle the coronavirus.
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Trade minister Ivan McKee said: “Technology is going to play a crucial role in helping us overcome the long-term challenges presented by Covid-19 so it is great to see innovative, dynamic companies repurposing existing technology to help us protect workers from potential exposure in the future.”
Reactec said more than 45,000 of its HAVwear vibration monitors are in circulation across the UK. Customers include the Costain construction group and Network Rail.
Reactec has won backing from the Archangels business angels syndicate and the Government-funded Scottish Investment Bank in recent years.
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