If you own a business, help run a business, or are working for one, we don’t need to tell you that COVID had a massive impact on companies of all sizes. Facing public shutdowns and shelter-in-place orders nationwide, company leaders grasped for ways to protect the health and well-being of employees and customers without bringing business to a screeching halt.
Business security is an important part of what we do at Guardian Protection. And during the COVID shutdown, we had a pretty amazing experience using a life safety product at our own facilities that we now offer to companies: thermographic temperature screening cameras*.
We’re gonna dive into what happened below, but if you prefer, we also summarized this experience in a downloadable case study here.
A little background…
Guardian is part of the Armstrong Group, a leader in the telecommunications, security, commercial development, electronics manufacturing, HVAC, and plumbing industries. After the unprecedented avalanche of COVID-19 shutdowns, all Armstrong Companies were immediately deemed essential businesses.
While many essential employees needed to remain on-site — for example, here at Guardian it was critical to maintain our 24/7 professional monitoring operations — those who could work remotely were instructed to do so to limit the spread of COVID.
The Armstrong Group culture is just like the one we value so much here at Guardian: Collaboration, community involvement, excellent customer service, and a priority on safety above all else. We needed to:
1. Continue to provide our customers with awesome service.
2. Protect the employees who remained on site.
3. Eventually bring our full workforce back in a safe and responsible manner.
A meeting of the minds
Determined to meet the challenge head-on, Guardian Protection and all of the Armstrong Group companies banded together like the Justice League. We established a cross-functional COVID response taskforce and poured a great deal of time, research, and strategic planning into establishing health and safety guidelines based on location- and the job-specific risks.
But we wanted to do even more. This unique situation was going to require a unique solution. So we did what we do best — stepped outside the box and discovered a new technology solution: Highly accurate thermographic cameras (thermo cameras).
What are thermo cameras?
Thermo cameras are a simple and inexpensive way to do preliminary temperature screenings for employees. They use advanced algorithms to accurately detect a person’s surface body temperature within seconds, and quickly notify owners of any out-of-range temperature readings with an audible alarm.
Thermographic cameras can operate on their own, so operating one wouldn’t be someone’s full-time job. They have a WiFi module that lets the camera connect to a computer or smartphone for quick, easy installation. Businesses can check the temperatures of any employee entering the building without getting too close — a huge advantage at a time when social distancing is recommended.
Putting the plan in action
Once the decision was made to utilize thermographic technology, cameras were purchased and installed in the facilities, corporate offices, and manufacturing plants of multiple Armstrong Companies.
Because thermographic cameras are virtually plug-and-play, the installation process was seamless. When it was time to start bringing remote workers back, we were ready to do it safely, without slowing down day-to-day business. It made the environment safer for the employees who were already there and safer for the employees who were coming back. And all the while, our customers kept getting the care they expect and deserve.
The process
Another big benefit of thermo cameras is how flexible they. Each company within the Armstrong Group was able to create an individualized process to meet its specific needs. As an example, here’s a process we used successfully here at Guardian:
- We only allowed employees to access the building at entrances with thermo camera stations.
- Floor markings spaced 6 feet apart reminded employees of social distancing requirement if they needed to wait for their turn.
- When space was ready, the next person in line proceeded to the marked spot a foot away from the thermo camera, which was mounted on a tripod.
- Without touching anything, the employee remained still in front of the camera for about 2 seconds.
- The camera recorded the employee’s temperature.
If someone’s temperature recorded as “hot,” that person left the camera station and used a handheld thermometer for a second temperature scan. Anyone who received two “hot” scans in a row had to leave the building. After, that person needed two “good” temperature scans before they could enter the building.
So, what’s “good” and what’s “hot?” That’s just one more thing that makes these cameras so cool: You, the employer decides! You set the temperature threshold that is appropriate for your business and the current health requirements.
Success!
Flashing forward, the Armstrong Group has scanned thousands of employees across multiple facilities, welcoming its full workforce back on site with no disruption to business. The set-up and the use of these cameras was so seamless — and the roll-out such a big success — we decided to purchase and install 35 more cameras across Armstrong Group companies nationwide.
Hands down, our employees get the blue ribbon for making safe re-entry a success. It simply wouldn’t have been possible without their hard work, dedication, and flexibility. But thermographic technology was an integral part of this process. It took our safety measures here at Guardian and across the Armstrong Group above and beyond what was required by the CDC and other government organizations. It also reinforced our belief that innovation will always be a key ingredient for safety and security.
Get thermo cameras for your business today
We love these cameras so much, we had to share them with our customers. Drumroll, please… Guardian Protection is now installing thermographic cameras for businesses!
Not a security company like us? No problem. Whether you’re a school, a nursing home, or a factory, thermo cameras can provide an additional layer of security, through COVID and beyond.
If you want to learn more about how thermographic cameras, or just talk about how Guardian can help you protect your employees and your business, give us a call at 1.800.PROTECT, or fill out a form here.
*Telethermographic camera systems can provide an initial body temperature measurement for triage use by determining a person’s surface skin temperature, which is then used to estimate the person’s temperature at a reference body site (e.g., oral, tympanic membrane). This product is not an FDA-approved device and is not intended to be used for medical purposes, such as the diagnosis, treatment, cure, mitigation or prevention of any illness, disease or other condition. If this product is used to provide a body temperature measurement in a triage setting or otherwise, it should be used in conjunction with a comprehensive body temperature measurement assessment that includes secondary evaluation methods that confirm body temperature measurements pursuant to applicable regulations, guidelines, and standards. Images are for illustrative purposes and may not reflect the exact product/service actually provided.
