Safety covered
January 25th 2007

The introduction of 3M's protective coveralls means that, when used in conjunction with the companies respirator and other protective equipment, 3M can now offer a more complete safety solution.

The range has been designed to ensure that the wearer will stay protected, whilst the breathable soft fabrics ensure the wearer remains comfortable.

The products in the 3M Protective Coveralls range have certain core features: Elasticated hood, waist and ankles for convenient safe wear and freedom of movement, two-way zip with re-sealable flap for extra convenience and protection from contaminants, knitted cuffs for increased wearer comfort and a reinforced gusset for increased robustness.

Disposable protective coveralls such as these are used extensively in the workplace for a variety of tasks; from guarding against simple dust to protection from harmful toxic chemicals or infectious body fluids. Whatever the situation, it is vital that a thorough risk assessment is carried out to ensure that the correct suit is selected.

The sorts of considerations to take into account include: Identification of the hazard, the exposure conditions, working Environment and the length of time the suit will be worn.

There are three products in the 3M Protective Coveralls range which have been designed to suit a variety of applications:

3M 4530 (blue) – Breathability and comfort

This is for comfortable wear, providing excellent protection against hazardous dusts and liquid splashes.

Key applications: Food processing, wood processing, insulation laying, light duty maintenance.

3M 4540 (white) – Performance and comfort

This offers increased robustness and is lint free. It has a breathable back panel for improved air circulation and offers full protection against hazardous dusts (including nuclear particles) and liquid chemical splashes.

Key applications: Paint spraying, light duty industrial cleaning and maintenance, pharmaceutical processing.

3M 4560 (white) – Extra protection and durability

Whilst this also offers excellent robustness and is lint free, it has taped seams across the suit for Type 4 protection. It is suitable for biological protection (meets EN14126). It also features a re-sealable chin cover to help ensure a proper seal when used in combination with respirators.

Key applications: Overhead pesticide spraying, asbestos handling/removal, chemical mixing and preparation, protection against infectious agents (e.g. Avian flu).

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