A Dundee company has bought a robot called Thor to clean its factory and reduce the risk of staff contracting Covid-19.
Dover Fueling Solutions (DFS) is trialling the device at its West Pitkerro Industrial Estate factory.
The autonomous cleaning robot uses ultraviolet light to wipe out bugs in the air and on surfaces. The company, which makes fuel dispensing equipment, said it was widely used in test centres and medical settings.
Mark Husband, a manager at the company, said bosses were keen to use new technology to get “the highest level of protection from the spread of the virus.
“We are always looking for ways to work smarter and obtain the most cutting-edge solutions available to automate our sanitisation process,” he said.
“Our extensive research indicated that the technology behind the THOR UVC® robot is at the forefront of the coronavirus fight and widely used in medical settings and test centres.” Mark Husband, DFS manager
“We are on-track to roll out the facility-wide UVC disinfection in the next couple of weeks.”
A Dundee worker at the factory tested positive for Covid-19 in August in a case that was linked to the outbreak at the Coupar Angus chicken processing plant.
Staff claimed they were not key workers and they were unable to fully social distance while performing their roles.
Workers were later invited back to work on a voluntary basis.
A company spokesman said enhanced safety protocols had been in place since March 31.
These include improved sanitisation practices, one-way systems, regular “fogging” procedures to disinfect the entire site and strict social distancing rules.
The spokesman said: “When Covid-19 first forced the UK into lockdown, the Scottish government classified DFS Dundee as an essential business. It therefore required the facility to reopen and provide support to other essential services and key workers.
“It uses shortwave ultraviolet-C light technology, which is proven to kill a large variety of common surface and airborne pathogens, including coronavirus.” Annette Crowe, Finsen Tech
“Since then, DFS has been working hard to implement the strictest health and safety procedures to protect its people,” he added.
Annette Crowe, from Finsen Tech, which makes the robot, said: “It uses shortwave ultraviolet-C light technology, which is proven to kill a large variety of common surface and airborne pathogens, including coronavirus.
“UVC disinfection is clinically proven, reaches floor to ceiling and is significantly more efficient than manual cleaning.”
