3M and NIOSH Celebrate Safe Breathing on N95 Day

Millions of workers around the world rely on respirators to help protect them from airborne contaminants. To help these workers achieve maximum breathability and regulatory compliance, 3M is leveraging the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) N95 Day to encourage the proper use and selection of N95 respirators in the workplace. The fourth annual N95 Day will be held on September 4, 2015.

An estimated 5 million workers are required to wear respirators in 1.3 million workplaces throughout the United States.¹ A respirator’s fit is a key element to help protect these workers from their hazardous work environments. That’s why 3M offers OSHA-compliant fit test kits, NIOSH-approved respirators and training materials to help employers ensure that selected N95 respirators can provide workers with the proper fit. Through the use of these educational resources and more, 3M will provide health and safety professionals with the knowledge needed to be advocates for respirator safety on N95 Day and beyond.

“Over the years, technologies and methodologies have changed, but one thing remains the same – 3M’s commitment to help protect the health and well-being of workers while on the job,” said Nicole Vars McCullough, 3M Global Technical Services Manager. “We want professionals to have access to information so that they can help workers practice proper respiratory protection.”

The educational resources from 3M can help workers discern the difference between a fit test and a user seal check, understand conditions that can decrease filter effectiveness, and learn about technology that can lower breathing resistance.

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 detection, monitoring equipment, and active communications equipment. Visit www.3M.com/PPESafety or http://m.3m.com/PPESafety.

About 3M
At 3M, we apply science in collaborative ways to improve lives daily. With $32 billion in sales, our 90,000 employees connect with customers all around the world. Learn more about 3M’s creative solutions to the world’s problems at www.3M.com or on Twitter @3M or @3MNewsroom.

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All other trademarks listed herein are owned by their respective companies.

For more information:

• 3M N95 Day infographic
• 3M NIOSH-approved disposable filtering face-piece respirator high-resolution graphic
• www.3m.com/n95

¹ From the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) website (https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/respiratoryprotection/index.html)

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