Security officers added to MTA “Temperature Brigade,”
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. April 28 2020— As MTA employees continue to be among those hardest hit by the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, the transit agency has expanded its efforts to ensure the health and safety of its workforce.
On Saturday, the MTA announced an expansion of the agency’s “Temperature Brigade,” a group of medically trained personnel who check employees’ temperature as they report to work.
The program — which began in March at just seven locations — has been ramped up to more than 70 rotating locations throughout the city’s transit system. It will include checking the temperature of more than 3,500 employees each day.
“Our goal is to provide the optimal level of protection for our heroic employees, as well as extend that assurance to essential workers riding our trains and buses,” said Patrick Warren, MTA chief safety officer.
The brigade consists of medically trained workers from across the agency, including NYC Transit safety and security personnel, Long Island Railroad (LIRR) fire marshals and Metro-North fire brigade, as well as 60 contract workers.
Upon arrival, employees have their temperature checked using a thermal scan thermometer on their forehead. Those with a temperature exceeding 100.4 degrees are sent home and advised to seek medical attention.
The brigade is now checking temperatures at 71 locations systemwide, including 40 subway, 13 MTA police departments, 10 bus, four Long Island Rail Road, three Metro-North, and one Bridges & Tunnels location. These locations include bus depots, train stations, control centers, maintenance facilities and more.
According to the MTA, the fever rate has been low, with just one in every 1,000 employees exhibiting a temperature in excess of 100.4 degrees.
“We are heading toward having our Temperature Brigade Program test our entire workforce periodically prior to their reporting to work, an important measure to prevent the spread of COVID-19,” Warren said.
During this month’s MTA Board Meeting, the agency discussed new measures that are being taken to protect frontline transit workers, in addition to the regularly-scheduled facility cleanings and millions of masks and gloves being distributed on an ongoing basis.
The MTA has installed plexiglass barriers at various work sites to promote a safe environment for employees. So far, 123 barriers have been installed across 54 subway work stations, with additional installations ongoing. For bus operators, 93 barriers have been installed at all 28 bus depots and three central maintenance facilities.
The agency has launched a pilot program to install vinyl shields on buses to physically separate drivers from the riding public.
Employees are working in rotations, and in some cases being reassigned, in order to promote social distancing in the workplace.
