A MALVERN tech firm which makes safety devices for work helmets has won a major contract.

PLINX has been awarded the contract to provide 1,500 helmet-mounted devices to be used by site workers on the HS2 project.

They will be worn on the Eiffage Kier Ferrovial BAM route section from the Chiltern Hills to near Kenilworth.

The devices, worn on the helmets of workmen, use wireless technology to monitor how close staff members are to each other.

When they get within two metres, the devices beep, vibrate and flash, advising them to stay apart.

It is hoped the technology will allow health and safety personnel to make further decisions on managing workers' density and see which areas on site have the highest concentration of people.

Beyond its Covid applications, the technology could also be used in future to make even more health and safety decisions on work sites.

Glenn Christiansen, the safety, health, wellbeing, assurance and compliance director at EKFB, said: “The safety, health and wellbeing of our people is EKFB’s highest priority, so we are excited to introduce a technology that both supports and improves this.

"During the current situation with coronavirus, where we are striving to make our workplaces safe for those that continue to come to work, it is especially important to ensure that distancing rules on site are understood, observed and monitored.

"PLINX technology gives us an unrivalled ability to manage this, not only technically but also by showing people that we care enough about them to invest in new technology that helps.”

PLINX founder, Tommy Williams, said: “It is refreshing to see how well HS2 and EKFB adopt new technologies, such as ours, to address their biggest challenges.

"We look forward to continuing to help improve safety, security and efficiency on their sites for the duration of the project.”

Howard Mitchell, HS2’s head of innovation, said: “This is a great example of how teamwork and collaboration across the HS2 supply chain creates an environment for innovation to flourish.

"Tommy and the team have shown that being agile and quick to act can create great solutions to fast moving situations.”