Wearable technology to support social distancing
Lead Participant:
ALFORD FE LIMITED
Abstract
**Overview**
Our Workplace Social Distancing solution will allow people to safely return to work as the lockdown restrictions are lifted by tracking proximity to fellow workers using wearable technology that combines GPS with new indoor GPS and Bluetooth standards to, provide feedback to wearers when they are in each other space via vibration and alerts.
**Issue:**
Social distancing will prove a challenge to workers and employers alike as the pandemic enforces restrictions on social distancing.
In order to lift restrictions, it is likely controls and measures such as distancing will still need to be enforced.
These measures will likely be required for some time after any lockdown is partially / permanently removed.
Whilst in some industries it will be possible to implement home working, many other professions / jobs will require workers to be on site.
This will present challenges in tracking employee contact, movement and even workforce management.
Mobile technology for tracking on it's on won't provide instant feedback on distancing and may not be a suitable solution for many workforces based on:
\* Phone signal challenges
\* HSSE rules preventing carrying use of a mobile device
\* Company or even government policies restricting the use of mobile devices in the workplace
In addition, accuracy of current mobile solutions would not be sufficient to provide accuracy <2m.
**Sectors that will be impacted by social distancing include:**
\* Healthcare
\* Manufacturing
\* Construction
\* Warehousing
\* Food Preparation
\* Community support
\* Wellbeing (for example: public gym)
\* Wholesale & Retail Trade
\* Prison Service / MoD workers
**An example of the problem:**
The construction sector is one of the largest in the UK economy -- employing 3.1 million people or over 9% of the workforce. The construction sector contributes £117 billion to the UK economy, 6% of total economic output.
UK construction and civil engineering is one of the least prepared industries to work from home.
Leesman surveyed 19,906 people working in the UK construction and civil engineering space and identified 49% have no home working experience.
Our solution will provide highly accurate feedback on distancing and contact points making it safe for workers to resume roles where they need to be present at a work location and will provide additional information about infection and possible community transition.
The device will also help workers identify early signs of illness by monitoring key features such as temperature and other vital statistics such as heart rate.
Our Workplace Social Distancing solution will allow people to safely return to work as the lockdown restrictions are lifted by tracking proximity to fellow workers using wearable technology that combines GPS with new indoor GPS and Bluetooth standards to, provide feedback to wearers when they are in each other space via vibration and alerts.
**Issue:**
Social distancing will prove a challenge to workers and employers alike as the pandemic enforces restrictions on social distancing.
In order to lift restrictions, it is likely controls and measures such as distancing will still need to be enforced.
These measures will likely be required for some time after any lockdown is partially / permanently removed.
Whilst in some industries it will be possible to implement home working, many other professions / jobs will require workers to be on site.
This will present challenges in tracking employee contact, movement and even workforce management.
Mobile technology for tracking on it's on won't provide instant feedback on distancing and may not be a suitable solution for many workforces based on:
\* Phone signal challenges
\* HSSE rules preventing carrying use of a mobile device
\* Company or even government policies restricting the use of mobile devices in the workplace
In addition, accuracy of current mobile solutions would not be sufficient to provide accuracy <2m.
**Sectors that will be impacted by social distancing include:**
\* Healthcare
\* Manufacturing
\* Construction
\* Warehousing
\* Food Preparation
\* Community support
\* Wellbeing (for example: public gym)
\* Wholesale & Retail Trade
\* Prison Service / MoD workers
**An example of the problem:**
The construction sector is one of the largest in the UK economy -- employing 3.1 million people or over 9% of the workforce. The construction sector contributes £117 billion to the UK economy, 6% of total economic output.
UK construction and civil engineering is one of the least prepared industries to work from home.
Leesman surveyed 19,906 people working in the UK construction and civil engineering space and identified 49% have no home working experience.
Our solution will provide highly accurate feedback on distancing and contact points making it safe for workers to resume roles where they need to be present at a work location and will provide additional information about infection and possible community transition.
The device will also help workers identify early signs of illness by monitoring key features such as temperature and other vital statistics such as heart rate.
Lead Participant | Project Cost | Grant Offer |
|---|---|---|
| ALFORD FE LIMITED | £68,932 | £ 68,932 |
People |
ORCID iD |
| STEVEN BREADEN (Project Manager) |