Within the pharmaceutical industry, legislation ensures that manufacturers implement a contamination control strategy to guarantee a safe and clean environment, eliminating cross-contamination risks and health hazards. The pharma industry must consider all stages of the process, such as conducting thorough risk assessments, frequently inspecting equipment performance and ensuring a sterile work environment.
Our team at Palamatic has extensive experience within the pharmaceutical industry, supplying clean room grade lifting and handling equipment that meets stringent standards to 50+ countries worldwide. We pride ourselves on our GMP and ATEX compliant standards, protecting equipment operators and consumers.
The Risk of Cross-Contamination in Pharmaceutical Handling
Incorrect handling of powders, granules and other materials within the pharmaceutical sector is detrimental to the safety of individuals, affects product quality and results in failure to meet compliance.
Operator Safety
Material handling operators are at risk of being exposed to respiratory issues, skin irritation, and long-term health complications from hazardous substances and dust generation. There is also an elevated risk of trips, spills and workplace injuries that can occur from improper use of equipment.
Product Quality
One of the greatest concerns in the pharmaceutical sector is product quality. Cross-contamination compromises the formula, affecting members of the public and leading to sunken funds from recalled products.
Inconsistency
Not only is production efficiency diminished, but inconsistency can lead to incorrect dosing and a lack of quality assurance. This poses a great risk to individuals and significantly affects brand image due to the lack of safeguarding within the manufacturing process.
Non-Compliance
It is a legal requirement to meet GMP standards, ensuring to apply ATEX regulations where necessary. Failure to do so can lead to significant legal issues, affecting brand image and causing costly mistakes by receiving potential penalties.
Common types of contamination include:
- Chemical: Residual from cleaning agents or previous batches left behind.
- Microbial: Originating from bacteria, viruses, fungi, and spores.
- Particulate: Substance matter such as dust and fibres.
Establishing a Controlled Pharmaceutical Environment
Implementing a controlled environment and efficient material handling equipment creates responsible solutions within the pharma industry. By improving best practices, a high level of standard can be implemented, guaranteeing premium quality products, compliance, and safety for both the consumer and operator.
Sustained & Sterile Manufacturing
Integrating high-quality operations means addressing all manufacturing and storage processes. All zones should be free from debris, well-lit, and routinely maintained to a high standard. Risk assessments are to be regularly conducted, and all hazardous materials should be stored in separate zones with the correct labels clearly displayed.
Streamlined Operation Layout
Effective operation begins with the design and layout of the workflow. Implementing airlocks and clean rooms is a great solution to mitigate cross-contamination between various manufacturing zones. It’s integral to keep certain materials away from each other, for example, food-grade products need to be kept away from toxic materials.
Safety Training for All Employees
Pharmaceutical materials must be handled correctly throughout the process by all employees. Detailed, engaging and routine training is imperative for business operations and operator safety. By ensuring sufficient training, product quality is increased and the risk of injury is reduced due to the ability to notice, react and handle safety issues efficiently.
Pharmaceutical Material Handling Equipment
The pharmaceutical industry relies on high-grade stainless steel that is easily sterilised and corrosion-resistant. Palamatic introduces bespoke material handling equipment that meets mandatory hygiene standards and stringent quality control. Pharmaceutical material lifting equipment can be handled by anyone trained to process functions such as lifting, transferring, dispensing, mixing, packaging and more.
Effective material handling solutions should encompass the full range of pharmaceutical processes, from beginning to end. With the implementation of GMP and ATEX compliant equipment, Palamatic provides vacuum lifters, post hoists, drum tippers, drum conditioning systems, drum and IBC blenders hygienic mobile systems, clean room grade lifting equipment, and many other bespoke designs.
Material handling equipment for the pharma industry is engineered to be lightweight, easily controlled for simplified operation, effortlessly cleaned, and smoothly maintained.
Trust Palamatic to Mitigate Cross-Contamination in the Pharmaceutical Industry
At Palamatic, we understand how improper handling causes cross-contamination, and the severity of potential health risks and liability that manufacturers can face. We design our robust systems to meet stringent compliance tailored specifically for the pharmaceutical sector.
Our vacuum lifters and crane systems meet stringent legislations, creating hygienic solutions for all applications, ensuring safety and sterile workplaces as the forefront of operation. At Palamatic, we provide comprehensive packages from the preliminary design through to the installation by our expert engineers and aftercare service.
For further guidance on how Palamatic delivers quality material handling equipment within FDA-regulated environments for your business, contact our team today.