EDF has trialed a new self-service app to support the testing of its workforce for Covid-19, ensuring critical work can continue at its nuclear sites during outages.
The company developed the app in consultation with its mass testing and screening partner, Circular1 Health (C1H).
Since December C1H has been providing loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests for the company’s generation workforce at the eight operational UK nuclear power stations.
The testing, which has been integrated with an app and supporting IT platform, has enabled EDF to continue with its statutory outage programme without interruption and without any disruption to service.
During an outage employee numbers increase considerably and some workforces more than double. The app is able to accommodate all staff.
Dr Sarah Jackson, a consultant in occupational medicine for EDF, said: “Over the past 12 months EDF has managed its sites in such a way to minimise risks associated with Covid-19.
“Although there have been cases detected at sites, there have been no operational impacts. And that has been down to our extremely careful handling, development of innovative working solutions and investment in measures like rapid testing and thermographic cameras.
“Through this new app, employees will be able to scan their swab and enter their details on the app. They return the swab and within 24-hours they will have their results notified both by the app and by text. C1H has also developed an IT platform around it which will allow me to track where the swab is in the process and prioritise tests if appropriate.”
On some sites, C1H has installed temporary laboratories to accelerate the turnaround of tests.
When used in series LAMP and PCR tests provide a near-perfect degree of accuracy (99.995 per cent) which means the risk of a false positive is extremely rare (at 1 in 20,000 tests conducted) while the false negative rate is also low due to the combination of tests.
Jackson said PCR tests are the “gold standard” but are slower and more expensive than LAMP tests.
She continued: “LAMP tests are faster, more sensitive and less expensive, but not quite as accurate. By using LAMP testing to screen employees, and running positive tests through a PCR, we can achieve a near-perfect result.
“What C1H also does is to run around 20 per cent of negative tests through PCR to continually confirm the accuracy and reliability of its testing regime. This demonstrates a real commitment to quality.”
Testing began at the Torness nuclear power station near Dunbar in Scotland as the first site to have a statutory outage in January.
The process from concept to the first tests being carried out on site took three months.
Ian Dixon, fleet supply chain manager at EDF, said: “We were aware that C1H was testing circa 1000 people a day at BAE and so we opened up a dialogue with them. That was in October, the laboratory was on-site in December, and the first tests carried out in time for the statutory outage programme to commence in January. It was a remarkable achievement.”
From Torness the testing laboratory will go to the Heysham nuclear power stations. The lab located at Sizewell will move to accommodate the Hartlepool outage, subsequent to work on the Sizewell outage being completed.
Dixon added: “We have experienced no operational issues and no resourcing issues as a result of Covid-19, and that is down to having a robust pandemic plan in place prior to the outbreak, and in the testing and screening service provided by C1H.”