NCDOL, Jacobs Sign New Safety Partnership Agreement

The N.C. Department of Labor and Jacobs, a leading professional services firm, marked the beginning of a safety partnership agreement. The partnership was signed on Monday, April 11 at the Holly Springs, N.C. construction site for FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies new state-of-the-art large-scale cell-culture facility scheduled to open in 2025. Jacobs representatives and Labor Commissioner Josh Dobson delivered brief remarks about the benefits of the partnership as well as a progress update on the FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies Holly Springs project.

The Labor Department’s Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Division will engage with Jacobs employees and subcontractors working on FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies’ jobsite to maintain safety and health, prevent injuries and illnesses, increase access to training and information, and develop safety and health management systems. In addition to focusing on employee safety, the project team will provide further insight for OSH on acute harm associated with high-risk activities and how to best address them.

“I appreciate the commitment to workplace safety demonstrated by Jacobs,” Labor Commissioner Josh Dobson said. “I am thrilled to begin this new partnership with Jacobs by signing this agreement covering Jacobs’ development of the large-scale cell-culture facility for FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies. By working together, the OSH Division can help ensure that Jacobs and its contractors working on the FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies Holly Springs project have the resources necessary to complete this project safely.”

“Jacobs’ BeyondZero approach to safety means doing more than the industry standard – going beyond zero means creating a culture of well-being, security and protection for our people, our partners and the environment – it is our absolute priority,” said Jacobs Vice President of Life Sciences North America Dana Tilley. “Through our partnership with the N.C. Department of Labor, this site, the largest of its kind in North America, can also be the safest.” 

Jacobs was selected to implement FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies vision of sustainability which includes clean energy utilization and implementation of cutting-edge waste disposal and recycling. Jacobs also incorporated safety in its design through a ‘prevention by design’ approach, ensuring safe and sustainable construction. When complete, the facility will provide commercial scale, automated fill-finish and assembly, packaging, and labelling services for end-to-end production of life-impacting therapies.

“We have an enormous and very exciting journey with Jacobs. We are delighted on their partnership with the N.C. Department of Labor; one that is founded on the premise of safety, sustainability and shared expertise,” said Kenneth Bilenberg, site head, FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies. “When completed, this facility will make it possible to manufacture life-impacting for North Carolinians and people across the globe.” 

Jacobs is challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world's most critical problems for thriving cities, resilient environments, mission-critical outcomes, operational advancement, scientific discovery and cutting-edge manufacturing, turning abstract ideas into realities that transform the world for good. With $14B in revenue and a talent force of approximately 55,000, Jacobs provides a full spectrum of professional services including consulting, technical, scientific and project delivery for the government and private sector. For more information, visit visit jacobs.com.