What are you looking for?

Download brochure

Need to find out more?

Get in touch

How can we help you?

0808 124 0012

Tell us about your move

Category Archives: Blog

How to choose a dangerous goods specialist to suit your needs

Author WEBMASTER Posted on 0 Comments

With so many dangerous goods specialists out there how can you be sure that you can choose one that perfectly suits your needs? Finding the perfect partner during your lab relocation or equipment move can be as easy as one, two, three.

What are your needs?

First things first, it’s necessary to establish what you actually need your dangerous goods specialist to support you with. What’s going on right now that dictates a need for specialist intervention? How is this going to affect your business or organisation? Why do you need a dangerous goods specialist on board, and what do you need them to help with specifically? Perhaps it’s the entire process – or certain portions of it that you require assistance with. Writing down exactly what you need and forming it into a firm, comprehensive brief is a sure-fire way to ensure you’ll find and hire a dangerous goods specialist suited to your requirements.

How much do you have to spend?  

Budget will dictate how you spend your money and who and what you can afford. It may not be possible to achieve a fully managed project if you don’t have the funds to support it – and you’ll need to be prepared for that. Reputable dangerous goods specialists will offer a fair price for the work they do – a cost which reflects the level of accuracy and knowledge required to safely handle and manage the materials they work with. Be sure to bear this in mind when setting out how much you have to spend.

Search for companies with experience and expertise to suit your requirements  

Dangerous goods specialists should be well-versed across the board when it comes to handling, managing and moving hazardous substances and items – but some companies talk the talk and don’t walk the walk. Be sure to search for and select a company that has specific experience and expertise in your area of concern. Failing to do so could mean your move or relocation ends in disaster.

Five tips to ensure compliance during dangerous goods management

Author WEBMASTER Posted on 0 Comments

Compliance can be a troublesome issue during any process or project that doesn’t fall in line with normal operation. At best non-compliance could land you a hefty fine – at worst it could cause a full-scale emergency depending on the type of substances you’re dealing with. Here we share four key tips to help you to ensure compliancy in all situations.

Plan the process well in advance

If you’re going to be doing something you wouldn’t normally do which involves dangerous goods or hazardous substances, it’s important to be prepared. You may need to do things differently, hire extra staff or help, or purchase products or items to help you to stay compliant. If you leave things until the last minute you may not be able to arrange this, heightening the chance of non-compliancy. Compliancy starts with preparation – so begin by learning about the specifics and recommended best practice and how your upcoming move, relocation or rearrangement could affect safety and security.

Be specific in line with your workplace and requirements

The important thing to remember when it comes to dangerous goods management is that different regulations and guidelines apply depending on what you are dealing with. Start by listing every substance or item you feel you’ll need special provision for or support with, then go through them in turn researching the relevant regulations for each. Some may interact with each other and therefore may need an even more specific type of dangerous goods management or provision.

Ensure prep is in place and daily processes are compliant with help from a consultant

Any occasion that demands extra attention or specific guidance presents a perfect opportunity for you to review and refresh the processes and guidelines you currently have in place. Are you fully up to date? Are there any areas you could improve upon? Has anything changed which could mean you now need to look again at how you manage dangerous goods? You may like to call in a consultant to help you with this, as they can review your lab or facility in a comprehensive manner and make recommendations. They can also implement change where required.

Enlist specialist support where needed 

Although staff handling and working with dangerous goods on a daily basis should have some level of training to ensure that they are compliant at all times, they may not know how to respond when faced with an unusual situation or project. This is especially true where lab moves and relocations are concerned, as there are many individual aspects to think about. Enlist professional support from fully trained, accredited dangerous goods removals experts, who will guide and manage the process from start to finish.

What to Consider When Organising International Laboratory Removals

Author WEBMASTER Posted on

Packing up and moving a scientific lab is a delicate and detailed operation in itself – but international laboratory removals involve an even more complex process that must be well thought out and carefully managed to ensure success. At Johnsons we’re well versed in the nuances of international laboratory removals. Here we share six key aspects to consider when relocating abroad.

Customs clearance

One principle difference between national lab moves and international laboratory removals is the requirement for customs clearance. Following a full audit of the equipment and materials destined for transportation your laboratory relocation specialists will need to make enquiries to determine the specific customs and declaration requirements in your destination country. Each nation has different rules and regulations – and it’s important to bear in mind that customs payments will need to be made to authorities on arrival.

Specialist equipment

Specialist equipment needs specialist care – for a number of reasons. The dismantling and packaging process will be crucial, as any damage can be financially difficult but also delays research and the set-up of the new laboratory. Weighing up costs, compatibility and processing involved in moving certain types of equipment can be useful, as it may be most cost-effective and safer to purchase new lab equipment on the other side.

Cold chain

Certain samples and items need to be transported at constant temperature – sometimes frozen, other times temperate. The reason behind this (safety, protection, prevention of spoiling) will dictate the handling and management of each substance or material. Specialist provision will need to be made from start to finish to ensure that temperature-controlled items are safely and securely transported.

Rules, regulations and documentation

International laboratory relocation comes with plenty of paperwork – as different rules and regulations apply at every step of the way. Your laboratory relocation specialists will advise you of the information required and can support you with the filling of forms and arranging permits, documentation and customs licences where necessary.

Hazardous and dangerous goods

Laboratories naturally tend to deal with materials and substances that can be classified as hazardous or dangerous goods. Whilst these items need specialist care and attention wherever they are transported, moving lab or medical equipment by air in particular adds a different dimension. This is where a specialist project manager will be essential, as they can review your materials thoroughly and ensure that each adheres to specific guidelines and regulations to avoid hold ups or difficulties at either border.

Get in touch today discover more about Johnsons global lab logistics and storage services.

 

Why Your Choice Of Laboratory Moving Company Counts

Author joh_0bvplvzf Posted on

When it comes to laboratory relocation, specialist assistance is almost always required. Here we explain why lab moves can be so complex, and how to choose a reputable, responsible removals firm to help you organise your lab move confidently and cost-effectively.

Safety is key

First and foremost, safety (both for laboratory staff, transportation partners and the general public) must be considered. How will hazardous materials, chemicals and dangerous goods be packaged, transported and safely stored upon arrival? What documentation is needed? Regulations will need to be adhered to. Safety must be thoroughly considered before the move, with comprehensive plans put in place in conjunction with a dedicated dangerous goods specialist and the lab move project manager.

Packaging matters

How you pack and prepare lab equipment, medical equipment and certain substances and materials for transportation matters. You may need to ask for professional advice regarding packaging for specialist items. When dismantling equipment for reassembly it’s important to work in chronological order, with sensible, clear labelling applied to each component. An itinerary and inventory must also be generated to cover the move as a whole and prepare for every eventuality, with contingency time built in just in case.

Risk assessment and project management

Managing the move as a whole will become a full-time job for its duration, so it’s important to be prepared for the time and resources this may take up. It’s also key to have some experience of lab relocation, as this will guide your response and approach.

The importance of hiring professional lab movers

When you consider the myriad risks associated with lab moves as detailed above, specialist assistance becomes both relevant and essential. Whilst lab employees and management have a detailed and intimate knowledge of their equipment, materials and the nature of the relocation, transportation specialists will appreciate the project from a holistic perspective, focusing on the practical elements, regulatory compliance and any special provisions that will need to be made. Experience counts in this industry – even if you have a complex or unusual requirement, you want to be sure that the company you deal with is competent and confident in handling the project in question. Always ask for details of experience, accreditations and qualifications and relevant recent testimonials where possible.

In need of a professional laboratory moving company? Speak to our dedicated team today to learn more about our approach, experience and credentials.

As The Scientific Sector Grows In Britain, So Does Demand For UK Lab Services

Author WEBMASTER Posted on

The UK has long been a hub for scientific development in all sectors – from medical research and biological breakthroughs to the cutting-edge development of chemical agents and advancements. Government initiatives aim to attract companies from overseas to invest and grow in the UK, inviting them to take advantage of the talent base emerging from our universities. So how does this affect the need for UK lab services – and how can specialist companies enable this economic and educational growth nationwide?

UK lab services in demand as industry grows

Well-managed, high-functioning laboratory networks are crucially important to wider industry growth as a whole – and naturally UK lab services have a role to play. An increasing number of organisations outsource the bulk of their task management, safety, security and transportation needs as this is both cost-effective and efficient. As a result of the surge in the development of dedicated sites and educational establishments and culture of change, the UK lab services sector is growing year on year, with more specialist companies emerging to meet demand.

Cambridge pioneers Britain’s cultivation of scientific progress and research

Over the past couple of years Cambridge has been identified as one of the UK’s most prominent and important scientific hubs, with a host of prolific and respected educational institutions joined by global giants such as Thermo Fisher, Astra Zeneca and Phillips. The addition of new development within Cambridge Science Park in 2017 attracted a great number of organisations to the area, taking advantage of ample talent produced on their doorstep to produce results of national and international interest.

The North West hosts the UK’s largest collection of biotech labs

Alderley Park in the North West of England has long been home to pharma giant Astra Zeneca – but now the huge site has been completely redeveloped to host a diverse range of commercial and laboratory space alongside social and leisure facilities including bars and cafes. Completion of the 400 acre site is due within the next decade – but a number of organisations have already taken up residence or reserved places there as the space promises to be in high demand come 2020. It already incorporates a world-class bio and life sciences campus for Manchester University – with plans to extend the educational aspects of the facility to include greater scope for learning and research which will have global relevance in years to come.

Relocating your laboratory facility? Speak to us today to learn more about Johnsons Laboratory Logistics and how our services can ensure a smooth and successful move.

1 2 3 4 5 … 9