jhguth:

Text Post: ALN published an article about one of my projects

Last year I finished a project that involved installing a waste bedding handling system into a lab animal facility. I was involved in the project in the role of Project Engineer and APM for the GC/CM. Working in an operating research animal facility presented a lot of unique challenges; through the hard work of our project team we were able to successfully complete the installation without any disruption to ongoing studies or lab animal processes. It was because of the following items, as cited by ALN, that the project was a success:

• Commitment by Leadership – Deep engagement between GSK Capital Project Engineering, LAS, and EHS for building full understanding of the costs, downtime, LAA issues, and poor ergonomics of the cage wash process.
• Finding the Right Material Handling System - Acknowledgement by the GSK team that the pneumatic vacuum system was not the right equipment for the application and the dedication to find a better system.
• Developing True Partnerships - Unprecedented levels of manufacturer and construction engagement, listening, and problem solving with the goals of GSK in the forefront
• Establishing Clear Responsibility and Accountability - Weekly planning and process meetings where all parties attended from architecture and design, to the equipment manufacturer, to facilities management, and to technician supervision. 
• Aggressive Project Risk Mitigation - Conflict resolution was examined in all phases of the project; material bedding system design, construction schedule, equipment installation, start-up, and testing. This process of examining the process and evaluating the anticipated outcome saved valuable time and money because when the actual construction started much of the risk had been weeded out.
• Sourcing from Material Handling Experts - Hiring material handling experts to design and build the waste bedding handling system. The abrasive, sticky, and potentially hazardous nature of the animal waste bedding required more than just a conveyor. It required a material handling system that could effectively handle the variability of the animal waste bedding that included different types of bedding, discarded feed, and nestlets.
• 100% Performance Guarantee – Actual support and guarantees sometimes don’t translate fully beyond paper processes. The GSK project team did their due diligence to find the right material handling experts to help with the animal waste bedding challenge in their facility. As a result, they received a full operational guarantee on the equipment they purchased.

Read the full article here:

The Facts of Effective Waste Bedding Management Part 1

The Facts of Effective Waste Bedding Management Part 2