Infrared Device

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Definition - What does Infrared Device mean?

An infrared device, in the context of evidential breath testers (EBT), is a stationary breathalyzer used primarily by law enforcement to assess individuals in question of driving under the influence (DUI) violations. Infrared spectroscopy is the general standard for obtaining a breath sample using infrared radiation to absorb residual alcohol molecules.

SureHire explains Infrared Device

Alcohol testing is a common procedure in the workplace to ensure that applicants and/or employees comply with health and safety policies. Many employers utilize breathalyzer examinations because they can serve as a deterrent against alcohol abuse, in particular, when operating a commercial vehicle or heavy machinery is a primary job function. An infrared device contains an built-in sensor that measures the radiation discharged in the machine in proportion to the expulsion of a deep breath released from the lungs.

Law enforcement routinely uses infrared device breathalyzers because of the method's accuracy, preventing individuals from manipulating test results when exhaling into the device. Because alcohol can impair judgment, commercial transportation is a trade that can jeopardize the personal and public safety of others, leading to accidents and possible injuries or fatalities. Employers can benefit from infrared device technology given its immediate test results to avoid future liabilities and concomitant workers' compensation claims.

Employers have a responsibility to maintain a safe working environment, which entails covering health and safety guidelines with staff members against alcohol use in the workplace. Consistent alcohol testing that incorporates infrared devices omits human error in determining if an individual’s blood alcohol content (BAC) level exceeds the limit.

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