Designed for you
As we design and build all of our own filters we have been able to develop a range to meet the strict hygiene requirements of the pharmaceutical industry and we can help you to meet ‘Good manufacturing practice (GMP)’ guidelines.
Our standards of construction vary from mild steel with standard or special paint finishes to stainless steel (grade to suit ie. 304 or 316) with finishes from standard sheet with welds as laid, to special crack and crevice free polished finishes.
Whether the application is process related – where the product being handled is a process ingredient (process venting) – or the application is handling fugitive emissions from the process (dust extraction/LEV) – we have a solution that will fit your need.
All of our filters come with ATEX rated options meaning potentially explosive and volatile products can be handled safely and they can also be built to comply with Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations (DSEAR) where applicable.
Some units can be built with ‘Safe Change’ or ‘Clean Change’ filter element removal to meet workplace exposure limits by protecting the operator from particularly toxic or unpleasant dust.
We offer a wide range of filter cartridge and bag materials so are able to handle any product whether it is sticky, cohesive or extremely fine. This includes HEPA rated medias to H14 class and also solutions to provide resistance against hydrolysis, temperature, moisture, PH levels, etc. Take a look at our filter elements.
Our in-house design team are able to provide a filter to fit almost any space constraints so we can ensure we provide the right fit for your work-space.
Why do you need dust control?
Dust control is vital in any manufacturing industry. A well-built, fit-for-purpose dust control system will:
- Protect operators from harmful dust
- Prevent explosions
- Reduce housekeeping and minimise breakdowns
- Improve product quality by preventing cross contamination
- Protect the environment
Pharmaceutical ingredients can be a health hazard for your operators depending on the products being used and in addition to protecting workers the high value of the materials being handled also means that there is often a requirement for maximum product yield.
Protect operators
Employees are the most valuable asset to any business. As well as a moral obligation to protect your work force you have a legal obligation under COSHH to control emissions into the workplace.
Chemicals and minerals being processed in the pharmaceutical industry can pose a risk if they escape into the atmosphere. There may be steroids, hormones or narcotics in use and if the operator is exposed to them – by breathing them or touching them, it can cause adverse side effects such as respiratory illness, skin reactions and other physiological effects.
The HSE sets a long term Workplace Exposure Limit for every industry and a full list can be found on the HSE website. Breaching of these standards can result in severe penalties, loss of productivity due to employee sickness and even legal action. For small or large businesses, looking after employee health by reducing dust exposure is vitally important.
Prevent Explosions
Substances regularly used in the pharmaceutical industry including cellulose, corn-starch, dextrin, lactose, stearic acid and various other organic ingredients, all have the potential to explode.
Manufacturing processes and equipment can create a ‘dust cloud’. When this cloud is suspended and mixed with air and exposed to an ignition source it can cause catastrophic, even fatal, explosions.
You can take steps to reduce explosive hazards. Look at where you position equipment and ensure there are no leakage points around handling systems that produce dust. Also, install the correct Dust Extraction equipment, built to the correct ATEX rated standard.
Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations (DSEAR) requires that hazardous area classifications for flammable dusts should be undertaken in the same manner as that for flammable gases and vapours, find out more at the HSE website.
Reduce Housekeeping & Minimise Breakdowns
If dust emissions can be controlled at source this will prevent egress of dust into the wider production environment. Less or no dust in the production environment means housekeeping tasks can be minimised. It also means that machinery productivity won’t be impaired by being clogged up with dust. This will save on maintenance requirements and prevent costly breakdowns making the process more productive and reducing operator intervention, thereby saving money.
Product Quality
If cross-contamination with other materials occurs in your process it can impact on product quality and safety and can result in an unusable end product which has a negative effect of productivity and profitability.
The nature of the products being produced within the pharmaceutical industry mean it’s important to avoid cross contamination and a well-designed and effective process filtration or dust control system can help to achieve this.
Ingredients and materials are often extremely costly so maximising product yield is an important consideration. Again, we can help you to achieve this with an effective filtration system.
We are able to offer FDA approved filter medias and cartridges to ensure product quality and if required ensure the product can be returned safely to the process.
We offer ‘Safe Change’ and ‘Clean Change’ systems for replacing the filter cartridges and product collection. This stops product escaping to the work area as well as protecting operators.
Protect the Environment
With processes that are vented to atmosphere you have a legal obligation to comply with emissions according to EPA. The Environmental Protection Act 1990’ (EPA) for waste management and control of emissions into the environment requires your business to keep emissions at a certain level and by filtering your air and removing contaminants; a Dustcheck system will ensure you meet this legislation.
What steps can you take to reduce dust?
Dustcheck process filtration and dust control solutions will help prevent and control dust and emissions and solve all of the issues that go with it. You can also find industry standard guidance and advice on the HSE website with sections that deal specifically with dust control.