Olympics team inspects safety measures in London

Hi-tech safety measures including biometric hand and iris scanners to bolster security at the Olympic Park were inspected by 2012 organisers last Friday.

Olympics Minister Tessa Jowell, Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) chairman John Armitt and Security Minister Lord West visited the 2.5 square kilometre site in Stratford, east London, where the 4,500-strong workforce is expected to double by the end of 2010.

They saw the boosted access controls which have been phased in as the big build of the permanent venues presses ahead. Ms Jowell said: "The UK has years of experience in both tackling terrorism and hosting major sporting and cultural events. Ensuring the construction phase of the Games is safe and secure is a key part of our preparations for London 2012.

"We are using cutting-edge technology to make sure that, as activity on the site increases, the workforce and infrastructure continue to be protected without affecting progress."

Mr Armitt said: "Access controls utilising the latest technology will enable properly authorised, equipped and trained workers to enter and leave the Olympic Park as quickly and safely as possible".

London 2012 organisers announced in July that £19 million had been released from contingency funds to make Olympic venues more secure from terrorist attacks. The allocation of the money has not affected the Games' overall budget and anticipated final cost of £7.234 billion, the government said. Since construction work began, all staff at the park have had to undergo a security checking process, including 3D digital photography of their hand, to be able to enter the site.

The universal enrolment process, backed with checks by UK Border Agency, seeks to confirm appropriate legal working rights and valid health and safety accreditations.

The 3D digital photograph of the hand, rather than finger or palm print, is linked to the individual's photographic site pass.

The unique size and shape of a hand is matched to the site pass to enable access.

The data is encrypted, stored securely and only used for access to the site during the construction work, in accordance with the Data Protection Act.

Iris scanning is used on the same basis where required.

Up to 5,000 workers an hour at peak can be dealt with at the site using hand scanners providing biometric access control, alongside photographic smart cards, the ODA said.