Biotech and Pharma Industry Lone Worker Safety and Gas Detection

IMPULSANDO LA SEGURIDAD BASADA EN DATOS.

The biotech and pharma industry plays an important role in the development and production of drugs, clinical trial of treatments, vaccines, and other medical products that are essential for improving health and treating disease. On a global scale, the pharmaceutical market is growing rapidly at almost 6% annually and is projected to hit the $2 trillion mark in 2028 (GlobalNewswire) which exposes more and more workers to a number of worksite hazards.

The biotech and pharma industries present potential hazards to workers who are involved in research, manufacturing, and distribution processes. One significant hazard is exposure to toxic and combustible gases that can cause harm or death if not properly managed. Some of these gas hazards include:

Carbon dioxide (CO2) can be used as a solvent and be released in various processes including transportation.
Formaldehyde (CH2O) is used in sterilization and, as a volatile organic chemical, it is detectable with a PID sensor.
Nitrogen (N2) is used to control oxygen levels in labs, in the packaging and transfer of products and to maintain drug efficacy. It can displace oxygen and cause asphyxiation. An oxygen gas detector can be used to ensure N2 hasn't displaced oxygen to a hazardous level.
O2 (Oxygen) - is present during biomanufacturing and fermentation. Oxygen-enriched environments have a higher risk of explosions.
Chlorine gas (Cl2) - can be generated during chemical manufacturing.
Carbon monoxide (CO)- can be produced during manufacturing processes and as a byproduct of certain chemical reactions.
Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) can be released during the manufacturing of certain chemicals.
Ammonia (NH3) is often used during the production of chemicals.
Combustibles - methane can be produced during the fermentation process. Ethylene oxide is used in the sterilization of medical equipment. Propane is used for heating and powering equipment.

CONNECTED GAS DETECTION AND LONE WORKER MONITORING FOR THE BIOTECH AND PHARMA INDUSTRY.

Workers in the biotech and pharma industry can face many challenges including unreliable communication methods to potential gas exposures from the various chemicals used in the manufacturing process. This is in addition to the risks associated with confined space entries and numerous lone worker risks such as slips, trips, and falls.

Our G7 Lone Worker device can provide a lifeline when no one else is around with no motion and fall detection capabilities, along with an SOS latch to call for help. Personal gas detectors should be worn to protect against potential gas exposures and a pump can be added to protect workers during confined space work. For larger spaces such as a chemical or manufacturing plant, the G7 EXO offers trustworthy gas detection for your entire operation. Combined, this safety ecosystem keeps communication lines open while working to improve the safety of workers and surrounding areas.

Seguridad de los trabajadores aislados

Detección personal de gases

Monitoreo del área

Detector multigás g7c-multigas-g7x-single-gas

Lone workers such as chemists, factory line staff, plant supervisors, and engineers may work independently at times and need immediate assistance in the event of an incident.

Gas exposures are a risk during biotech and pharmaceutical processes. Workers need a reliable safety solution like a G7 that harnesses connectivity and data insights to protect them.

When it comes to controlling the risk in chemical plants or laboratories, the G7 EXO is the industry's only direct-to-cloud area monitor giving real-time visibility of a worksite's safety.

Biotech and Pharma Toxic and Combustible Gas Hazards

Principales riesgos relacionados con el gas
- Cl2
- CO
- CO2
- H2S
- Combustibles
- NH3
- O2 displacement by N2
- Volatile Organic Chemicals
Gas Sterilization in biotech and pharma manufacturing commonly uses sulfur dioxide, formaldehyde and N2.
Fermentation produces biological products like enzymes, proteins, and antibiotics and uses oxygen. Carbon dioxide and combustibles can be produced, carrying an explosion hazard.
Synthesis is the production of chemicals or active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) from raw materials. These processes can generate toxic gases like chlorine, ammonia, and carbon monoxide.
Wastewater treatment uses oxygen and carbon dioxide to regulate hazardous acids for pH control.
Biomanufacturing-cell cultures is an upstream bioprocessing application that requires a mixture of O2, N2, and CO2. This mixture is sparged through the cell culture media to replenish oxygen during cell growth. Carbon dioxide controls the ph level and nitrogen removes excess carbon dioxide to balance the flow rate.
Nitrogen inerting, blanketing, and purging- this process uses nitrogen to protect raw materials from undesirable reactions and maintains drug efficacy. It also helps to mitigate ignition and explosion risks during the storage of flammable solvents, powder milling, and pneumatic transfer.
Nitrogen (N2) is used to control oxygen levels in laboratories, chemical transportation and flushed into packaging to extend shelf life. Nitrogen exposure can bring the risk of asphyxiation as it can displace oxygen.
Process temperature control also involves the use of nitrogen to keep therapeutic proteins or vaccine formulations at low temperatures for storage and preservation. Freeze drying is a process used to stabilize therapeutic proteins or vaccine formulations.
Cryogenic pelletizing uses liquid nitrogen to enlarge particles like probiotics with live microbial strains and requires very low temperatures.

In biotech, chemical programs occupy 46% of H&S professionals time.

National Library of Medicine: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8901241/

Biotech and Pharma Lone Worker and CSE Risks

Plant rooms and warehouses are some of the riskiest areas of a pharmaceutical manufacturing plant. With a combination of loud noise and dangerous equipment around, lone workers can have an incident and no means to communicate with other workers. A G7 device can provide a lifeline to an injured worker with a simple pull of the SOS latch or automatically if a fall is detected. Physical injuries can range from skin, eye, face, and bone injuries from malfunctioning equipment or gas exposures.
Biotech and pharma lone workers may experience poor wireless signals in large buildings or remote locations. If an accident occurs such as a slip, trip, fall, or worse, the challenge is often raising the alarm. The G7x/Bridge offers workers a satellite option for reliable remote connectivity.
Confined space entries (CSEs) are a major concern for pharmaceutical manufacturing workers. Some examples highlighted from 3M include:
- Reactor vessels where Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API) are created,
- Containment rooms and HVAC systems where proportioning takes place,
- Biotech-specific process systems, fermentation vessels, and purification systems.
- Workers can minimize confined space entry risks with a pre-entry check followed by continuous monitoring with a G7 Multi-Gas Pump.
Hot surfaces and temperature extremes, and even UV radiation are other risks workers should be cautious of in the pharma industry. Pharmaceutical manufacturing uses UV radiation for vitamin D production for example, which can pose an increased risk of skin cancer, burns, and developing cataracts (International EnviroGuard).
Workers may also face dangers when working at heights.

La conectividad y el software para proteger aún más a tu equipo.

Blackline’s connected safety and robust software offering provide the biotech and pharmaceutical industries with solutions that offer ultimate protection from worksite hazards and help you run a more efficient operation.

Seguridad de última generación: el portal en línea Blackline Live le permite gestionar sus dispositivos de seguridad conectados G7, supervisar sus instalaciones y el bienestar de su personal en tiempo real, responder a emergencias e informar sobre los datos recopilados. El simple cumplimiento ya no es suficiente.

Visibilidad sin igual: Blackline Analytics ofrece una visión completa de los datos de cumplimiento, uso y alertas de su flota de seguridad conectada en una única herramienta fácil de usar. Analice datos en tiempo real e históricos para anticiparse a situaciones potencialmente peligrosas y evitar que se produzcan incidentes.

Mayor productividad: los dispositivos conectados proporcionan datos que permiten descubrir oportunidades para aumentar la eficiencia operativa, lo que ofrece la posibilidad de ahorrar millones en ingresos perdidos.

Respuestas optimizadas: la supervisión integral de la seguridad y las notificaciones masivas le proporcionan un control completo y rápido de la evacuación y la gestión de emergencias.

Siempre a su disposición: el Centro de Operaciones de Seguridad interno de Blackline cuenta con personal las 24 horas del día, los 7 días de la semana, con agentes de supervisión formados profesionalmente que se centran exclusivamente en garantizar la seguridad de su personal.

Los dispositivos conectados que necesitas para una seguridad sin igual.

Con el completo conjunto de dispositivos de seguridad de Blackline, obtienes un ecosistema completo que no deja ningún aspecto de la seguridad de los trabajadores o del lugar de trabajo al azar. Ya sea que necesites monitoreo de seguridad personal, detección de gases o monitoreo de áreas, todas las soluciones G7 ofrecen conectividad y versatilidad listas para usar.

Protección fiable: monitorización de gases combustibles inmunes al veneno con detección LEL de amplio espectro.

Ejecución eficiente: conéctese en cuestión de minutos, independientemente de dónde se coloque o se lleve el dispositivo.

Diseñado para condiciones extremas: afronta condiciones difíciles y duras, en cualquier lugar de trabajo, en cualquier parte del mundo.

Listo y fiable: los más de 100 días de duración de la batería del G7 EXO permiten que los dispositivos permanezcan en funcionamiento durante más tiempo, lo que reduce la mano de obra necesaria para cambiar las baterías o los dispositivos y el número de permisos requeridos.

Conectividad directa a la nube: conectividad celular líder en el sector y conectividad satelital opcional para zonas remotas (por ejemplo, lleve el puente satelital magnético desde su camión hasta su vehículo todoterreno), transmitiendo todos los datos directamente a la nube.

Bajo coste de propiedad: la batería de larga duración del G7 EXO elimina la necesidad de comprar monitores adicionales, lo que supone un ahorro de decenas de miles de dólares. Además, gracias a los dispositivos wearables conectados, es posible localizar fácilmente un dispositivo perdido.

Alerta inmediata: las alertas por mensaje de texto y correo electrónico le mantienen al tanto del estado del dispositivo y de las situaciones activas.

Sin tonterías: elimina la necesidad de factores de corrección LEL, minimizando evacuaciones innecesarias y costosas debido a lecturas falsas.

Máxima flexibilidad: miles de configuraciones de detección de gases disponibles en detectores de uno a cinco gases, con o sin bomba

Seguridad sin concesiones: amplias funciones de seguridad para personas caídas, como detección de caídas, alarmas por falta de registro, un botón S.O.S. para pedir ayuda inmediata y detección de inmovilidad, comunicaciones bidireccionales y función pulsar para hablar.

RECURSOS ADICIONALES

EL VALOR DE LA SEGURIDAD CONECTADA PARA LA DETECCIÓN DE UN SOLO GAS

Aprovechar los datos para crear un programa de seguridad proactivo y eficiente.

La detección de gas conectada ya no es una tecnología del futuro. Está aquí, en
, y es más económica, sostenible y sencilla de lo que imagina.

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NO DEJAR A NADIE ATRÁS

CÓMO LA TECNOLOGÍA DE SEGURIDAD CONECTADA OPTIMIZA LA GESTIÓN DE EVACUACIONES

La gestión de evacuaciones es un elemento necesario de la planificación de seguridad para las operaciones petroleras y gasísticas. Es fundamental estar preparado para evacuar al personal de forma rápida y segura en caso de emergencia, ya que cada segundo cuenta cuando hay vidas en juego.

Connected safety for biotech and pharma workers.