Colas add further COVID-19 safety measure

Company adopts innovative use of electrostatic fogging machines in addition to weekly testing

IN addition to the recent roll-out of weekly rapid lateral flow testing for staff at project and operational sites, Colas have also introduced the innovative use of electrostatic fogging machines to sanitise vehicle interiors, removing any COVID-19 droplets from surfaces.

The Colas Traffic Management team in the North West has been using the new device, which is said to save time, reduce the use of wipes and reache all areas within a vehicle. Following this successful trial, Colas now plan to roll out more of the devices.

Designed to fully sanitise all surfaces with anti-viral disinfectant fluid, the cordless backpack electrostatic fogging machine has an electrode that introduces a positive electric charge to the disinfectant fluid. This causes the anti-viral fluid to be attracted to all surfaces, including the nooks and crannies often found within vehicles that conventional foggers or traditional spray and cloth techniques do not always reach.

Colas say this technological approach to sanitising allows the disinfectant to fully ‘wrap’ surfaces with an even coverage, ensuring that vehicle interiors are fully sanitised and improving the safety of staff who use them.

Carl Fergusson, chief executive officer of Colas Ltd, said: ‘The safety of our staff remains our number one priority at Colas, and over the last year we have continued to react quickly and look for innovative ways to protect our staff during the pandemic as they continue their daily activities as essential construction workers.’