3M Adds New Personal Protective Equipment to Its Occupational Health and Safety Products Portfolio


Two-way radio headset, respirators, welding helmet, eyewear and apparel give workers more options for head-to-toe safety in the workplace

ST. PAUL, Minn.- 3M has made additions to its portfolio of personal protective equipment to help improve worker health and safety, including a new two-way radio headset, two disposable filtering facepiece respirator options, a welding helmet, eyewear with a foam-lined gasket, headset accessories and protective apparel.

The 3M Peltor Lite-Com Pro II UHF Two-Way Radio Headset is intrinsically safe and frequency programmable. It provides hearing protection (NRR 24 dB) along with a noise-cancelling boom microphone for communicating in noisy environments, making it ideal for manufacturing, oil and gas environments, and assembly line work. Featuring 30 UHF frequency programmable channels from 403MHz - 470 MHz, the radio headset offers three band models to choose from for optimum comfort: over the head, neckband and hard hat mount. The headset is activated with push-to-talk or hands-free, voice-activated transmit functions. Omni directional cup microphones provide 360 degree external ambient listening capabilities. A built-in voice menu helps wearers change settings without removing the headset.

The 3M Aura Particulate Respirators 9210+ and 9211+ bring added comfort with the addition of a braided headband, contoured nose panel and a chin tab for ease of positioning, donning and adjustment. In addition, the Aura disposable respirator design features an embossed top-panel that helps reduce eyewear fogging. The Aura 9211+ also includes the 3M Cool Flow valve, which is designed to release exhaled breath quickly, helping to prevent an unpleasant build-up of heat inside the facepiece. The Aura respirators are individually wrapped for protection from contamination prior to use.

The 3M Peltor ORA TAC In-Ear Communications Headset features several new accessories, including a remote, chest-mounted push-to-talk big button. The oversized button is designed for quicker access during emergencies. New ear loops help provide snag cable management around the ears, while three replacement noise-isolating tip options help better match the wearer's needs. This headset offers a two-way radio and in-ear communication for use in a noisy workplace. It replaces traditional earmuff/boom microphone headsets in situations where they cannot be used due to interference with respirators and other existing PPE or in high-heat environments.

The 3M Peltor E-A-R buds Noise Isolating Headphone now comes in a stylish gray, black and red color combination and new packaging for in-store displays. The headphone is designed to offer hearing protection in high-noise workplace environments where entertainment devices are permitted. Packaged in pairs, the Peltor E-A-R buds headphones feature easy-to-use volume control with audio limiting technology that keeps the sound pressure level at or below 82 dB. The headphones are compatible with smartphones, MPS players, iPods and other devices with a 3.5mm audio jack.

The 3M Virtua CCS Protective Eyewear now features a removable, foam-lined gasket to help provide added comfort and cushioning. The foam gasket is easily removed for cleaning and has small vents to minimize fogging. The anti-fog coated polycarbonate lenses absorb 99.9% of ultraviolet rays and meet the requirements of CSA Z94.3-07 and ANSI Z87.1-2010. The corded earplug control system keeps eyewear and earplugs attached and untangled, and can be worn around the neck to carry eyewear when not worn.

The 3M Speedglas Welding Helmet 9100 MP seamlessly integrates five levels of protection - head, eye, face, respiratory and hearing - into one convenient system. The all-in-one helmet is designed to provide a more comfortable experience for workers in highly demanding environments that require multiple types of personal protection equipment (PPE), such as in mining, shipbuilding, marine repair, heavy construction, oil and gas, wind farms and heavy-duty maintenance welding.

3M has launched new Protective Apparel to complement its current portfolio of coveralls. The additions include collared and hooded protective coveralls, disposable lab coats, hoods, boot covers, shoe covers, sleeve covers and hair nets.

About 3M

3M captures the spark of new ideas and transforms them into thousands of ingenious products. Our culture of creative collaboration inspires a never-ending stream of powerful technologies that makes life better. 3M is the innovation company that never stops inventing. With $30 billion in sales, 3M employs about 84,000 people worldwide and has operations in more than 65 countries. For more information, visit www.3M.com or follow @3MNews on Twitter.

About 3M Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Safety Solutions

3M offers a comprehensive, diverse portfolio of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) solutions providing respiratory protection, hearing protection, fall protection, reflective materials for high visibility apparel, protective clothing, protective eyewear, head and face protection, welding helmets, and other adjacent products and solutions such as tactical safety equipment, detection, monitoring equipment, active communications equipment and compliance management. In 2012, 3M celebrates 40 years of safety leadership - recognizing the company's respiratory and hearing protection solutions introduced in 1972. Visit www.3M.com/PPESafety or m.3M.com/PPESafety

For more information:

· 3M Occupational Health & Environmental Safety website www.3M.com/PPESafety

Press Contacts:

Colleen Harris

3M

651-733-1566

Heidi Wight

Padilla Speer Beardsley

612-455-1795

hwight@padillaspeer.com

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