Containment is the prevention of contamination by means of a barrier. This can mean the contamination of the product, the operator or the environment. Generally people think of containment as stopping contaminants getting out, but it is also equally about stopping contaminants getting in; this is why the barrier is important.

The difficult balance to address is how to create a barrier for containment without affecting ease of operation. It is this problem which challenges manufacturers and equipment suppliers alike.

The issue of containment has always been relevant. However, I think it is fair to say that it has become a particularly hot topic over the past few years - no doubt that ever improving health and safety standards have played a huge part in this. Also manufacturers, particularly in the pharmaceutical industry, are using ever more potent ingredients; the potential dangers associated with these make it is essential that they are properly handled and contained.

It is important to remember that containment is not just a ‘buzzword’, rather it is a method of keeping processes safe and secure.

With increasingly strict standards in relation to the exposure of operators to hazardous materials, it means that a broad spectrum of industries, such as pharmaceutical, food, minerals, chemicals and ceramics are all subject to strict legislation for containment.

In fact any industry involved in powder processing or any activity which produces dust should be making every effort to reduce employee exposure to health hazards and explosion risk.

The importance of powder containment needs to be fully understood to reduce operational injuries and industrial claims, as well as improving general hygiene standards and issues affecting the welfare of employees. Although welfare is a major factor in controlling exposure to hazards other benefits are reduced waste, less likelihood of a dust explosion and an improved working environment.

Most dust or excess powder material is created during transfer or transportation within the process area. Processes such scooping, pouring and tipping all create dust problems. If these actions are eliminated or controlled the problem is easily solved.

The most cost effective containment solution is to use silicone sleeves and seals for containing dust during transfer processes. Scooping, tipping or pouring can all be replaced by using vacuum transfer systems which keeps material contained during any transfer process.

Despite the inevitable costs associated with improving containment, the financial investment can be soon recaptured through improved efficiency. Reduction in waste by keeping products where they should be and in the case of vacuum conveying reduced manpower are obvious areas of a definite return on investment.

Improved safety also has an impact on productivity, which provides the additional benefit of an improved employee/employer relationship. To sum up it is quite clear that apart from certain legal requirements to ensure adequate operator safety there are potential longer term savings to be made in improving efficiency through a carefully planned contained process design.