BD Biosciences Discovery Labware

BD Biosciences, a business segment of Becton, Dickinson, and Company, is a multinational biotechnology company with several business units, including Discovery Labware, that provide integrated, high-value products and services for genomics, proteomics, drug discovery and development, cell analysis, and clinical diagnostics. Gentest Corporation, a mid-size biotech firm later acquired by Discovery Labware, and now one of BD Biosciences' three local sites, initially hired Safety Partners over three years ago to verify that their existing safety program was sufficient.

Since then, Safety Partners' services have greatly expanded at the former "Gentest" site, as well as at Discovery Labware's other local sites - each equivalent to a mid-size company. Although BD has a corporate safety department that audits and inspects their numerous sites, Safety Partners helps prepare these local sites for corporate inspections and audits, and works with those sites to address any findings or action items. Safety Partners also conducts annual training, a monthly lab safety analysis and assessment, troubleshoots safety program issues, provides information and research to Discovery Labware management as needed, and serves as a safety committee member. Safety Partners also serves as a resource to Discovery Labware's' Health and Safety Officer in many areas, such as in the revising and editing of manuals and in new employee training. Safety Partners continues to work with Discovery Labware this year to optimize and align safety practices across the three sites, with the goal of having a seamless transition for scientists working at multiple sites. As a result, BD's scientists will be able to further increase their focus on their scientific efforts.

Safety Partners has played an important role in ensuring that their three local sites are in continued compliance with local, state and federal regulations. With the assistance of Safety Partners, the three sites have practical safety programs that are comprehensive and closely aligned, allowing for more efficient management by Discovery Labware's Health and Safety Officer. The joint efforts of Safety Partners and Discovery Labware have resulted in a strong, high profile safety program, important to employee morale and productivity.

"The invaluable services provided by Safety Partners, and their in-depth knowledge of the current regulatory environment, give us confidence that our safety program, licenses, permits, and waste handling all meet current requirements."

"Safety Partners has been invaluable in helping us to know exactly which regulations and regulatory agencies apply to our business. They guide our sites in regulatory compliance and keep our training current with the ever-changing regulatory environment."

Dorothy Steimel-Crespi
Health and Safety Officer
BD Biosciences Discovery Labware, Inc.

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