Fit Testing
Do you have workers who wear tight fitting respirators (those that rely on a seal with the face) such as Disposable, Half Mask or Full Face Masks (including those fitted to a powered respirator)? If so, you are required to fit test them.*

3M can offer both Qualitative and Quantitative fit tests.

The 3M Fit Testing Service is provided by Fit2Fit accredited personnel on the employer's site at a day/time suitable to the employer. The Fit2Fit accreditation scheme is a BSIF initiative supported by the HSE which ensures fit testers can conduct a fit test to the level of competence required in the HSE guidance note 282/28. Staff carrying out the testing are competent at fit testing and have a professional and friendly manner which is important when coaching and reassuring employees during their fit test.

Employees will be fit tested on the respirator that has been issued. We also carry sufficient samples of 3M's full range of respirators, so should an employee require a different model or design, samples are made available if required.

Each fit test includes:

• A brief explanation of the need for fit testing
• An explanation of fit test procedure
• Coaching on getting best fit on the chosen Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE) device
• Fit test
• Certificate of fit test and written set of results

3M can offer a fit testing service lasting either a half or a full day(s), depending on the number of employees who require a fit test:

• Half day session - up to 8 people
• Full day session - up to 17 people

Please fill out your details in our contact us form to find out more.

Complete an enquiry form to receive a quote.

Alternatively, you can book your session now .

Collapse

3M offers a half day fit test workshop. This is designed to help train people how to conduct fit testing. This is perfect for companies wanting to do fit testing themselves.The training includes:

• The background to fit testing
• Fit testing vs fit checking
• What equipment needs fit testing
• When fit testing should be conducted
• In depth training on how to correctly use 3M Qualitative Fit Test Kits with many practical hints and tips
• Identifying and correcting failures
• Advice on how to structure a fit testing session and properly brief test subjects
• Practical fit testing to gain experience and confidence
• How to look after fit test kits
• Record keeping

If you would like to then put your skills into practise, we can provide a full day session that includes the fit test workshop followed by our technician spending the rest of the day guiding you whilst you fit test your employees.

Please fill out your details in our contact us form to find out more.

Complete an enquiry form to receive a quote.

Alternatively, you can book your session now .

Collapse

Do you use airfed respirators?
The law states that the air provided to this type of equipment should be of breathable quality and of sufficient constant flow and pressure to provide adequate protection*.

The 3M Air Quality Testing Service is carried out by engineers who will:

• Carry out a briefing where required, on the test procedure
• Test the air at several positions, as per your requirements
• Suggest measures and sound advice if the air does not meet the requirements to enable the employer to make further assessments
• Issue a certificate should the air meet the requirements of Breathable Quality Air
• Issue a written set of test results
• Send an automatic notification for re-test as per your requirements

Air Quality Testing
An air quality test will check the oxygen level of the air and the level of the following contaminants:

• Oil
• Water
• Carbon dioxide
• Carbon monoxide
• Odour

Air Flow Testing
An air flow test ensures the air flow at each outlet meets the flow and pressure required by your respiratory protective equipment.

To receive a quote for 3M Air Quality Testing, please complete an enquiry form.

3M™ Monitor Badges
Did you know that 3M also supply monitor badges to assist in the assessment of workplace contaminants?

Monitor badges from 3M are simple and effective devices that collect certain airborne contaminants using the principle of diffusion. They assist in the assessment of airborne workplace contaminants. Monitor Badges from 3M are sold through the following service providers who also offer an analytical service for the badges:

• RPS Laboratories - 0161 872 2443
• Institute of Occupational Medicine - 0131 449 8067

* as per COSHH Regulations 2002 (European Standard for Breathable Quality air is EN12021).

Collapse

Care & Maintenance Packs for 3M™ Powered & Supplied Air Equipment
To maintain protection levels, optimise the effective lifetime of the systems and avoid the additional cost of replacement, it is extremely important that regular checks and maintenance on Powered and Supplied Air Respirators are carried out. This is also essential for meeting the requirements of COSHH Regulations. 3M aims to provide easy-to-follow guidance on how to care for and maintain each 3M System.

Each pack includes:

• Covering Letter
• Introduction to Care & Maintenance
• A4 Sheet for Head Top & Turbo or System used
• Laminated A3 Poster for Head Top & Turbo or System used
• Record Card - on which to record monthly maintenance checks
• Additional Pack Request form
• Service Record Card

Care & Maintenance Packs for 3M™ Reusable Respirators
Similarly to Powered & Supplied Air Equipment, it is extremely important to carry out regular checks and maintenance on Reusable Respirators. 3M can provide A3 laminated posters for the respirator and a Service Record card to record maintenance.

Noise Level Check Service

3M can provide Noise Level Checks for your organisation. This service is open to customers with 500+ employees requiring hearing protection and entails one of our specially trained representatives to visit your organisation and taking a number of readings where your noise hazards are most apparent.

Hearing Conservation Programme
3M can offer hands-on training at your company site. Our Hearing Specialist will provide a 1 hour presentation directly to your employees, educating them on why wearing their hearing protection is so important.

3M Health and Safety Helpline
For advice, information and technical support on the selection and use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) by 3M, call the 3M Health and Safety Helpline on 0870 60 800 60 (UK) or 1 800 320 500 (Ireland). A range of technical literature, posters, selection guides and fact sheets are freely available from the Helpline to help you with your safety requirements.

3M has a national network of sales professionals, trained in Personal Protective Equipment who are able to discuss individual health and safety issues, suggest solutions, facilitate product trials and provide training.

3M can also offer:

• Email support
• A dedicated website
• Free product samples for trials
• Training CD's
• Fitting and application posters
• Datasheets
• Toolbox talks to assist educating and training employees

Collapse

3M™ Hearing Conservation Presentation DVD
This DVD provides an automated, voiced-over presentation that can be directly presented by the Health & Safety Manager. The main areas covered are:

• Hearing loss, a significant problem
• Hearing loss is irreversible
• Compliance issues - why we aren't protecting ourselves?
• What happens to the ear when subjected to noise?
• Overview of dangerous noise
• How can we prevent damage to our hearing?

3M™ Noise Awareness DVD
If you are looking for a training tool that is innovative, the 3M Noise Awareness DVD will be appropriate, with its animated cartoon characters experiencing the normal daily noise hazards that we all experience in our home and work lives. The DVD explains the following:

• What is noise?
• Hearing damage caused by noise
• Don't get used to noise
• Stop the noise

Both of these DVDs are available to purchase from your 3M Approved Distributor.

3M™ Respiratory Service Life Software
This software provides an estimate of service life for 3M™ Gas and Vapour Filters for reusable respirators. Identifying the service life of gas and vapour filters is currently a frustrating issue for workers, with guesswork and guidelines often playing an important role.

To ensure optimal protection to the wearer, it is crucial to accurately estimate the appropriate time to replace filters. The lifetime of a filter is variable dependent on environmental and individual exposure to gases and vapour.

• User friendly for ease of navigation
• 700 different chemicals provided to cover a wide range of applications
• Visit www.3M.co.uk/filterservicelife to use this software.

Collapse