CompEx Certification - Pharmaceutical Industry
Protecting People, Processes, and Production
Pharmaceutical manufacturing involves solvents, vapours, and fine powders that can form explosive atmospheres during production. Whether in small-scale research laboratories or full-scale manufacturing plants, strict control and mitigation of ignition risks are vital for safety and compliance.
ASET delivers specialist CompEx training to ensure personnel understand how to identify, assess, and manage hazardous areas across pharmaceutical environments - protecting both staff and production facilities.
Managing Explosive Risks in R&D Settings
The research and development (R&D) laboratory is a uniquely challenging environment within the pharmaceutical industry. As new drug treatments progress through clinical testing and evaluation, production typically begins on a small scale before expanding to full-scale manufacture. Although the control measures for laboratory operations differ from those required in large-scale production, both demand a detailed understanding of explosion risks and the procedures needed to control and mitigate them effectively.
Explosive risk of powders
Flammable liquids and vapours are well-known explosion hazards in pharmaceutical production, but dusts and powders can pose equal danger. Many materials, including common pharmaceutical ingredients, can create explosive atmospheres if not properly managed.
Fine powders have a large surface area that increases their reactivity. When dispersed in air, they can ignite and generate a flame front or pressure wave that rapidly propagates an explosion. Even small amounts of dust from handling or processing can become hazardous without effective control and good housekeeping.
CompEx qualifications ensure personnel have the competence and awareness to manage these risks safely, protecting both people and facilities.
REALITY WITHOUT THE RISK
ASET is one of the UK’s leading CompEx-approved training centres, trusted by organisations across high-risk sectors, including pharmaceuticals, energy, and manufacturing. Our purpose-built CompEx Hazardous Areas Training Centre was the first of its kind in the world and remains a benchmark for practical hazardous area training.
With modern assessment bays for gas, vapour, dust, and mechanical competence, delegates gain hands-on experience that reflects real-world pharmaceutical production environments. This includes working with equipment such as motors, pumps, and control systems commonly found in regulated facilities.
Led by industry-experienced instructors, our training combines technical knowledge with practical competence — ensuring delegates leave confident, compliant, and ready to maintain safety in environments where explosive atmospheres may occur.
Relevant Courses
