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Welding PPE and Metal Working Safety
Get a 3M Adlfo PAPR Demo Started Today! -
PPE Knowledge Series Quick Safety GuidesWATCH NOW
Looking to keep your team safe in high-risk environment? Watch short videos from PPE Knowledge Series – Quick Safety Guides at your pace.
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Are you taking the right safety measures for hazardous gases and chemicals?DOWNLOAD INFOGRAPHICS
Explore our infographic series and empower your team to stay safe.
Safety Solutions for the Metal Industry
For over 100 years, 3M has designed solutions to aid the metalworking industry, from abrasive material to our recent innovations in welding safety, we are committed to working with you to drive your business forward.
From steel mills to aluminium smelters, from lead recycling to met-fab shops, 3M is here to support you in your efforts to build an effective culture of health and safety. Metal industries are faced with a wide range of hazards, and identifying those hazards and the right solutions to address these hazards is not always easy. 3M can help to support you through this process and help you make correct decisions based on your needs.
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Metal FabricationWe aim to increase awareness and bring forward educational elements surrounding safety and health concerns with exposures to hazards such as arc radiation, loud noises and common weld fumes like Manganese and Hexavalent Chromium. Our goal is to provide relevant technical information, industry best practices, and potential product safety solutions.
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Metal Production3M designs and manufactures PPE that aims to help protect you in a changing world. From smelting to casting, coke ovens to blast furnaces our technology, experience and energy drive innovative solutions to help you manage your work environment so you can focus on the job at hand. We provide safety solutions that can help improve the comfort of personal protective equipment for everything from your eyes to ears and respiratory system.
Top Metal Fabrication & Production Applications
Metal fabrication is the building of metal structures by cutting, bending, and assembling processes, most commonly welding. It is a value-added process that 3M understands well. From abrasive discs and belts to industry leading welding PPE - we are here to help.
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WeldingOur innovative welding helmets enable welding performance and help make the welder's job safer and more comfortable. 3M is the manufacturer of Speedglas Welding Helmets, and integrated Systems for eye, face and respiratory protection. 3M's knowledge and experience of welders' working conditions sparks our innovative development.
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Grinding, Cutting & FinishingYou sometimes only get one chance to grind down, and finish your metal parts the way you want them, getting it just right. It sets the bar for the rest of your work. 3M designs innovative safety products whether you're cutting, grinding, or finishing your work. Our aim is that 3M PPE products help ensure your project is a cut above the rest.
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FoundriesWorking with metals exposes your workers to hazards in many different forms like hot work and heat stress. Furnace work and foundries are particularly high risk. Melting and pouring processes have a high risk of molten metal splash injury. Metal splash can lead to severe contact burns, eye injuries or lead to ignition of inappropriate protective equipment. 3M Safety can help you understand the variations of Metalworking PPE available and what makes sense for the hazards you face.
See our Silica Regulation for Metal Industry Bulletin (PDF, 278.88 KB) -
Painting and finishingAfter the surfaces have been finished, the work can finally be painted and refined.
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Working at HeightWorking at height poses risk in every industry and can result in severe injuries or even death in the event of an accident. Common working at height applications in the metalworking industry, including working from mobile elevated work platforms, overhead cranes and gantries, step ladders and scaffolding, and roofs.
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Welding Fumes
As a welder, you usually know what to do to keep yourself safe from heat and sparks. But what about the potential risks in inhaling welding fumes? Do you know all the weld fume hazards? We'll give you some insights into a few you're likely up against.
We are working to help keep you informed on potential risks, and by improving respiratory protection products that can help to keep you out of harm’s way. For welders, two examples that can pose a serious threat are Manganese and Hexavalent Chromium. Here’s an overview on how to help reduce risk, plus some sample products.
Learn more about Manganese (PDF, 159.88 KB)
Learn more about Hexavalent Chromium (PDF, 968.9 KB)
Learn more about Berilliyum (PDF, 306 KB)
PPE Knowledge Series Quick Safety Guides
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Too busy to read lengthy articles or guides? Save your time by watching our series of short videos to learn standards & how to select the most suitable personal protective equipment for your workplace. Topics covered include:
- Fall Protection Equipment Inspection – Why, Who, What & How?
- When to Use Disposable, Reusable, Powered Air or Supplied Air Respirator?
- Understanding Respirator Particulate Filter Efficiency & Standards
- Which Chemical Cartridge Should You Select for Your Application?
- Different Types of Hearing Protection Equipment and When to Use Them
Explore Metalworking Hazard Infographics
Find out how are your workers exposed to these hazards, their health effects and how to protect against it.
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OzoneUnderstand the risks of ozone exposure, which can cause eye, nose, and throat irritation, headaches, and lung damage, especially in industrial processes like welding and air purification. Learn how to protect yourself by ensuring use of proper personal protective equipment (PPE) and regularly monitoring ozone levels. Stay informed with our detailed guide on handling ozone safely.
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Powder CoatingLearn about the health risks of powder coatings, including eye, skin, and respiratory irritation, as well as potential asthma and dermatitis from exposure during manufacturing, spraying, and cleaning. Protect yourself by using proper respiratory protective equipment (RPE). Stay safe with our detailed guide on handling powder coatings.
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Liquid Industrial PaintsLearn about the hazards of liquid industrial paints, including exposure to harmful VOCs like Xylene, Toluene, and Ethyl acetate, through activities such as brushing, rolling, and spraying. Understand the health risks such as skin irritation, respiratory issues, and sensitization to isocyanates. Discover essential protective measures with appropriate respiratory protective equipment (RPE).
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ManganeseUnderstand the risks of manganese exposure, which can cause nose, throat, and respiratory irritation, as well as chronic issues like central nervous system damage and pneumonitis, especially in metal production and welding. Protect yourself by wearing the right respiratory protective equipment (RPE). Stay safe with our detailed guide on handling manganese.
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LeadLearn about the dangers of lead exposure, which can cause acute effects like abdominal cramps and muscle pain, as well as chronic issues such as neurological damage and kidney disease, especially in metal production and recycling. Protect yourself by wearing the right respiratory protective equipment (RPE). Stay safe with our detailed guide on handling lead.
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ChromiumChromium exposure can lead to acute effects like skin irritation and eye damage, as well as chronic issues such as respiratory problems and kidney damage, especially in metal production and plating. Protect yourself by using proper engineering controls and respiratory protective equipment (RPE). Stay safe with our detailed guide on handling chromium.
Stay Ahead of Everyday Hazards at Industrial Workplaces
We know that workers engaged in painting, coating, welding and grinding activities and those working at heights or in confined spaces are exposed to a wide range of hazards. To know how you can benefit form 3M expertise read more here (PDF, 234.85 KB).
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Eye InjuriesEye Injuries cost American companies around $300M* a year. Flying particles from processes such as cutting, grinding, or scarfing are potential causes of eye and face injury. Appropriate guarding or the use of eye and face protection are needed to help minimize exposure for your workers.
In addition, welding, cutting, melting and pouring operations may generate high levels of ultraviolet, infra-red and visible light requiring appropriate eye and face PPE to minimize exposure for the welders.
Learn more about the Patented 3M Eyewear Fit System (PDF, 1.8 MB)
*Source: https://www.osha.gov/eye-face-protection -
Exposure to NoiseCertain metal operations and machinery create high noise levels. But do they have to? Equipment and processes can be designed or altered to be quieter.
When that's not feasible, 3M provides best in class hearing protectors. Earplugs, muffs, and even protective communication systems can play an important role in conserving worker hearing. They must be comfortable, fit properly and provide adequate protection for the environment. Compatibility with other PPE and the workers’ ability to communicate must also be considered. -
OSHA has listed foundries as having a high number of workers exposed to respirable crystalline silica and elevated worker exposures to silica for certain types of workers in the iron and steel industry have been documented in industrial hygiene studies in the past. Being sure you're in compliance with the new silica regulation will likely be a significant part of the iron and steel safety conversation in the coming months.
You're proud of your weld. We're proud you used our equipment to do it
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Ask most experienced welders about the hazards of the job and eye protection usually comes at the top of their list. But at 3M, we take eye, face and respiratory protection extremely seriously. As one of the most popular PAPRs, the 3M™ Adflo™ Powered Air Respirator is designed to help provide welders a reliable, versatile and integrated protection.
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Our latest innovation in protective eyewear - SecureFit 600. Featuring 3M Pressure Diffusion Temple (PDT) Technology and 3M Scotchgard Anti-fog Coating. Providing a snug fit, and reduced fogging in hot environments.
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The 3M™ Rugged Comfort Quick Latch Half Facepiece Reusable Respirator 6500 Series helps provide respiratory protection in harsh, dirty environments against airborne contaminants when used with approved 3M cartridges and filters. This facepiece combines comfort, durability, and stability with a firm, lightly textured silicone faceseal and strong body construction.
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Prevent hand-to-ear contamination and encourage hearing protection with 3M™ Push-to-Fit Earplugs. The comfort of slow-recovery foam with the convenience of a push-in earplug
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Engineered to withstand radiant heat loads up to 375°F, the NEW 3M™ Elevated Temperature Hard Hat H-700T is the foundation of an integrated system of advanced personal protection equipment. The H-700T is designed specifically for elevated temperature applications ranging from metalworking and smelting to glass manufacturing.
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Now you can increase the utility of your 3M™ Versaflo™ M-307 or M-407 Respiratory Helmet – by adding integrated protection for head, neck and shoulders against radiant heat, sparks and splashes.
