Handforth technology firm could help UK reopen safely after lockdown

Handforth technology firm, Aspire4, has released a handheld thermal imaging scanner that could be used by UK businesses to monitor the health of their workforces as more of us return to the workplace.

The company’s technology uses highly accurate thermal imaging and scanning technology, accurate to within 0.3 of a degree, to scan the inner eye, one of the most accurate gauges of the body’s core temperature. The highly accurate scanner can identify if an employee has even a very mild fever, one of the most common symptoms of Covid-19, and allowing employers to isolate anyone unwell and at risk of spreading the disease to colleagues and customers.

The highly accurate scanners are installed into cameras and can provide a traffic-light style response to staff: red indicating a worker is sick, amber suggesting care must be taken, and green giving the all-clear.

Garry Hillman, managing director of the Handforth technology firm, Aspire4, said:

As businesses return to work following lockdown, we must ensure that we all play our part in limiting the spread of Covid-19.

“Workplaces cannot simply return to how they were before, there needs to be a big emphasis on keeping staff protected from the virus and the use of technology is a big part of this.

“By harnessing thermal fever technology, we can help businesses get back to work in the confidence that they can identify employees who are showing the symptoms of the virus with a one-second scan. The temperature measurement systems are easily installed and operated and can ensure businesses meet their responsibility to provide a safe working space.

“Employees will only return to the workplace when they feel it is safe, so fever detection will play a vital role in getting the country back to work and kick-starting the economy again.”

The Handforth firm’s technology had originally been designed to help employers tackle productivity losses from both false sick days, and presenteeism, where workers feel pressured to come to work when they are not well enough to do so effectively. Thermal screening has already been made mandatory for post-lockdown access to businesses in many parts of the world, including Dubai where it is used in shopping centres and hotels.

Aspire4 now expect the technology to be crucial to reopening workplaces and businesses such as restaurants and cinemas in the UK. Garry Hillman continues:

We started work with the technology in late January, but it had been in the planning stages for many months – long before Covid-19 was an issue.

“It’s clear that as we reopen the country again, we can’t just go back to normal. We will all have to do our bit to keep ourselves and our colleagues, friends and family safe.”