News

Amazon uses thermal cameras to screen warehouse workers

eCommerce giant, Amazon, is using thermal cameras in its warehouses to help screen workers.

Amazon.com Inc employees told Reuters that the company now has thermal cameras in select US warehouses to speed up screenings for feverish workers.

Amazon set up the hardware for the thermal cameras in at least six warehouses outside Los Angeles and Seattle, where the company is based, according to employees and posts on social media.

They require less time and contact than forehead thermometers, earlier adopted by Amazon, the workers said.

The use of cameras shows how America’s second-biggest corporate employer is exploring methods to contain the virus’ spread without shuttering warehouses essential to its operation.

The company performs a second, forehead thermometer check on anyone flagged by the cameras to determine an exact temperature, one of the workers said

“We implemented daily temperature checks in our operations locations as an additional preventative measure to support the health and safety of our employees who continue to provide a critical service in our communities,” an Amazon spokesperson said.

“We are now implementing the use of thermal cameras for temperature screening to create a more streamlined experience at some of our sites.”

This follows Amazon’s recent announcement that its hired 100,000 new employees to assist with the the demand for delivery of food and household goods during the current pandemic.

More than 50 COVID-19 cases have been reported at Amazon warehouses in the US and the company has closed six of its fulfillment centres in France after a French court ruled Amazon could be fined €1 million (AU$1.7 million) per item if it ships anything not directly related to medical supplies, hygiene products, and food items.

Amazon is now building its own testing lab for workers and the company have also been distributing masks and disinfecting work stations.

“Millions of masks have been distributed across our network,” the company said in an update.

“To date, we’ve made over 150 significant process changes to ensure the health and safety of our Amazon teams.”

Send this to a friend