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Social Distancing Devices Are Not Just Proximity Sensors

Good social distancing devices do more than simply warn their wearers that they’re standing too close to each other. They can monitor employees’ heart rates and activity, providing an early warning of possible infection. They can also show health and safety compliance: behaviours can be tracked and logged, should disciplinary action be needed.

But all this depends on one key factor. The employees must be wearing the devices for the entire time they’re working. That means the unit should be so comfortable that they can pretty much forget they’re wearing it (without forgetting their social distancing obligations).

For that to happen, the electronics enclosure must be small, light and unobtrusive. It’s a given that any handheld enclosure must be more ergonomic than a wall-mounted or desktop housing because it will be in the user’s hands for extended periods. And by the same token, a plastic enclosure that is worn on the body must be even more comfortable because it will be in contact with the user for a very long time.

This is especially true if the device is used for social distancing: the wearer will have it on for their entire work shift. In the UK, workers have the right to 11 hours’ rest between working days – so they could be working for a long time each day. And even if they take just the minimum 20 minutes’ rest break each day, they could still be in close contact with other workers during that time. So the social distancing device must stay on all that time: there should be no reason to take it off.





What Makes An Enclosure Ideal For Social Distancing Electronics?

Versatility is a key consideration. Employees may be issued with identical devices but you can be sure they won’t all want to wear them the same way. Some may prefer a wristwatch-style device but if it’s heavy, then it can be cumbersome for those tapping at a keyboard all day. Others may prefer suspending the unit on a lanyard but that can be awkward or dangerous for those working at machines. Clipping the case to a belt is an option but you must be certain the clip is good or the user could lose the device. Ideally you want an enclosure that offers a whole host of wearability options – such as BODY-CASE.

Toughness and ingress protection are also extremely important. There’s a downside to a device being so comfortable that the user forgets they’re wearing it…they forget to take care of it. If they’re carrying it loose in a hip pocket they could sit on it, so it must be robust. And it has to stay that way – never underestimate the power of the Sun’s rays when it comes to weakening plastics. That’s why BODY-CASE is molded from strong, UV-stable ASA and sealed to IP 65. And its easy-to-clean high-gloss finish and tamperproof Torx assembly screws (as standard) are vital for medical environments where infection-control protocols are at their most strict.

Furthermore, it helps if your preferred wearable enclosure is available in a range of sizes – because the smaller the enclosure, the less wriggle-room you will have when it comes to laying out the components. A tiny dimension change in plan size or depth can be crucial when you’re dealing with wristwatch-sized electronics.