3M makes a business out of finding solutions to workplace respiratory protection problems.

The company focuses not just on the most appropriate product for the application or workplace conditions, but also on the best process to select that product, helping clients to assess work environments to keep abreast of current regulations.

During an ordinary working day, many employees are exposed to hazards while going about their tasks, especially if they work on an industrial site.

These can be chemical, biological and physical in nature, ranging from dusts, fumes, gases, animal fur and noise to radiation. For employers to effectively protect their workers from such hazards, the nature of the hazard must first be correctly identified. This is where 3M comes in.

The company produces respiratory protection products ranging from filtering facepiece particulate respirators, easy-to-use gas and vapour respirators to powered supplied and self-contained breathing to air systems designed to provide the highest level of protection while meeting worker requirements for comfort and ease of use.

Now, the company that introduced the first NIOSH-approved maintenance-free respirator-which quickly grew into a family of filtering and elastomeric facepiece respirators 25 years ago-has come up with new product offerings. Amongst them are the 3M Jupiter Turbo Unit and the 3M half and full facepiece respirators.

The slim, compact Jupiter Turbo Unit's advanced design features and use of lighter, stronger materials, make it one of the safest and most comfortable powered air units developed. The lightweight nickel metal hydride battery that lies inside the turbo also allows it greater freedom of movement.

The Jupiter Turbo Unit connects to a choice of two breathing tubes for light or heavy-duty use and 22 different headtop options including hardhats, bump cap, visors and welding shields.

A choice of five filter types offers protection against many airborne hazards including particulates or gases and vapours and a combination of these hazards. Filters are easy to change and can be fitted with optional caps for extra protection against sparks or chemical splash.

Meanwhile the new 3M half and full facepiece respirators provide users with state-of-the-art features and comfort. New valve designs make breathing easier and helps reduce heat and moisture buildup in the facepiece.

Advanced silicone material provides a softer feel on the face and a newly-developed head harness adjusts easily to allow the user the option of wearing the piece in either the traditional or drop down mode.

Products are supported by technical newsletters and bulletins, regulatory updates and a customer Internet site designed to make information easily accessible and the customer's job easier. 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, service, and materials inform workers of the correct way to use the appropriate product in their workplace environment.

For the oil, gas and petrochemicals industries, specification approval and testing is key.

Product offerings for the sector include: