Temporal Scanners

As we approach the holidays and look forward to welcoming the new year, we are also experiencing a surge in COVID-19 cases and shortages of intensive care hospital beds in our communities and throughout most of the State. The current Shelter in Place Order now extends through at least January 7, 2021.

With our sustained commitment to the health and safety of our valued County employees, we continue to explore enhanced workplace safety measures - especially at a time when COVID-19 cases are surging in our communities.

To this end, we are pleased to announce that automatic temperature-reading devices are being installed starting this week on an on-going basis at all County employee worksites. Because this technology offers the ability to help identify at least one of the known symptoms of COVID-19, we strongly encourage all County employees to use this device each time they enter a County facility in which a device is located. By doing so, you can help protect yourself and your co-workers within your workplaces.

Consistent with our existing guidance regarding the on-line Self-Screening Assessment tool, the following instructions apply to the new temperature-reading tool:

1. As County employees enter the building, they will follow the voice directions of the automated temperature reading device. The employee stands in front of the device with their face within the green circle on the screen, pauses for approximately 3 seconds, and then waits for the device to read the employee's temperature.


2. If the screen visibly displays a temperature that is less than 100 degrees, the device will beep and announce, "access granted." At that point, the employee may proceed into the building, and to their work location.


3. If the screen displays a temperature that is 100 degrees or higher, the device will beep and announce, "access denied." At that point, the employee should follow the same guidance prescribed in the on-line Self-Assessment tool guidance and 1) leave work immediately, 2) notify their immediate supervisor, or follow the Agency/Department’s normal call-in/out procedures for leaving or not reporting to work, and 3) seek assistance from their healthcare provider.
   
   If the employee believes their temperature may be elevated due to recent exercise, or other activity that may have elevated their temperature, it would be appropriate for the employee to rest for 5 minutes and recheck their temperature. If the temperature remains elevated, the employee should follow the same guidance above, and 1) leave work immediately, 2) notify their immediate supervisor or follow the Agency/Department’s normal call-in/out procedures for leaving or not reporting to work, and 3) seek assistance from their healthcare provider.


4. Employees at 24-hour Facilities: Those employees working in a 24-hour County facility that currently provides temperature and/or symptom screenings, will continue to follow those existing protocols.

The new temperature-screening devices are yet another tool to help assure our employees that their workspace is healthy and safe.

We appreciate your ongoing cooperation and support as we continue working together to maintain a healthy and safe workplace for all our valued employees. Please remember to wash your hands often, social distance, and wear a face covering as you continue to help save lives.