EBSA voices author

Faye Litherland

Educational qualifications: BEng (Hons) Chemical Engineering, Aston University Chartered Engineer (Engineering Council) Chartered Scientist (Science Council) Fellow of the Institution of Chemical Engineers NEBOSH General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety Current Position: Managing Director – Blue Sky Process Engineering Limited Consulting Process Engineer – Specialist in Biological Containment, GMP and Research Facility Design Experience Faye is an experienced process engineer specialising in biocontainment facility design and retrofit projects, including upgrades from BSL2 to BSL3 and BSL4. She has delivered complex retrofits where legacy infrastructure, operational continuity, and regulatory compliance posed significant challenges. Her work focuses on developing upgrade strategies that integrate architectural, HVAC, process, and clean utility modifications into constrained spaces, ensuring compliance with international biosafety standards. She has chaired structured risk assessments (SWIFT, HAZOP) and advised on phased construction strategies to sustain partial operations during upgrades. Faye has overseen crisis scenarios involving commissioning delays and operational readiness challenges, translating technical risks into practical solutions for stakeholders. Examples of her work include: Bavarian Nordic, Denmark – Led the upgrade of an existing vaccine manufacturing facility from BSL2 to BSL3, integrating retrofit and new-build components within strict timelines and regulatory requirements. Ministry for Primary Industries, New Zealand – Peer review and compliance strategy for a new BSL2/BSL3 laboratory and greenhouse complex. UK Health Security Agency, UK – Subject Matter Expert for contained utilities, contained drainage, and effluent decontamination systems in BSL3/BSL4 laboratories during a major site consolidation project. Institute of Animal Health, UK – Designed and integrated solid and liquid effluent treatment systems for BSL3 and BSL4 containment levels within a high security animal research facility. Faye is also an experienced trainer and mentor, having designed and delivered technical courses and interactive workshops on containment design, risk assessment, and operational readiness. Her approach combines engineering rigour with practical solutions, making her well-equipped to guide participants through the complexities of BSL2 to BSL3 upgrades.

  1. Reconciling biosafety and GMP in vaccine facility design

    Across Europe, the biosafety community is increasingly being drawn into conversations that extend well beyond the laboratory.

    Vaccine manufacturing sits at the intersection of many of these conversations. It combines the need to handle potentially hazardous biological materials with the equally stringent requirement to produce safe, high-quality medicinal products for human use.

    Read more about "Reconciling biosafety and GMP in vaccine facility design"

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