Twenty-five years ago, 3M responded to customer needs with new technology and by introducing the first NIOSH-approved maintenance-free respirator, which quickly grew into a family of filtering and elastomeric facepiece respirators.

3M says that it continues to focus development efforts on striking the proper balance between filter efficiency and worker comfort, because worker acceptance is a critical aspect of the success of a respiratory protection programme.

3M says it is meeting customer demands with product innovations designed to meet rigorous workplace protection requirements while meeting worker comfort needs. These innovations include new filter technologies designed to enhance attraction and retention of aerosolised particles, exhalation valves for easy breathing and heat reduction, cake-resistant media to prolong respirator life and design changes to increase worker comfort.

3M has helped set the industry standard for research and development, technical assistance, comprehensive training and a line of innovative respirator products that are lightweight, comfortable, easy to use and well-accepted by workers.

At 3M, innovation also means software programs designed to help clients select the most appropriate respirator, and manage respiratory and hearing protection programs. Innovation includes technical newsletters and bulletins, regulatory updates, and a customer Internet website designed to make information easily accessible and the customer's job easier.

3M says it will help find solutions to workplace respiratory protection problems - not just the most appropriate product for the application or workplace conditions, but also the best process to select that product. 3M will help the client assess its work environment and keep abreast of current regulations, and help plan an effective respirator program.

3M will also help evaluate appropriate product solutions and arrange to test a variety that is appropriate for the clients' needs. And 3M will help implement the clients' plan, including training, fit testing, and programme documentation for full OSHA compliance.

3M says it offers a full line of respiratory protection products, ranging from filtering facepiece particulate respirators: easy-to-use gas and vapour respirators, powered supplied and self-contained breathing air systems designed to provide the highest level of protection while meeting worker requirements for comfort and ease of use.

But no matter how well safety products are designed, or how good the employers' intentions are, safety products offer little or no protection if not used properly. 3M training programmes, services and materials inform workers of the correct way to use the appropriate product in their workplace environment.

For all enquiries for 3M OH&ES products, write to 3mgulfohes@mmm.com